01 Aug, 2025
The ARC Research Hub for Engineering Plants to Replace Fossil Carbon has officially commenced, launching a significant research initiative focused on developing crop-based alternatives to fossil-derived carbon for a range of applications.
Funded by the Australian Research Council through the Industrial Transformation Research Program, the Hub is led by Associate Professor Karine Chenu at The University of Queensland. It brings together researchers and industry partners from across the country and internationally to explore how plants can be engineered to produce renewable, carbon-rich feedstocks suitable for industrial use, including for and economical production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
A key focus of the Hub’s research will be on plant cell walls, which is the primary source of structural carbon in plants and is often considered a waste product in existing industrial processes. By understanding and modifying the composition and biosynthesis of plant cell walls, the team aims to enhance the suitability of plant biomass for use in the manufacturing of carbon-based compounds such as biofuels.
The team is eager to transition from planning to hands-on research, with recruitment underway for the first positions to undertake the Hub’s research.
The commencement of the Hub marks a significant step toward building a bio-based economy in Australia. The collaborative structure of the Hub is designed to support innovation and deliver practical outcomes over the coming years.
Further updates on the Hub’s research and partnerships will be shared here as the work progresses.