Turning Waste into Fuel: The Future of Total Recovery Facilities and Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Australia
Australia generates 76 million tonnes of waste annually, with 20 million tonnes ending up in landfills. Despite increasing recycling efforts, landfill dependency remains high, and methane emissions from decomposing waste contribute significantly to climate change. With landfill space shrinking and waste export bans limiting international disposal, Australia must adopt circular economy solutions that convert waste into valuable resources.
One promising development is Total Recovery Facilities (TRFs), which transform municipal solid waste (MSW) into low-carbon fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, and biochar. This approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also aligns with Australia’s Net Zero by 2050 commitments.
What is a Total Recovery Facility?
A Total Recovery Facility (TRF) is an advanced waste processing plant that integrates multiple technologies to recover materials and convert waste into usable fuel. TRFs are designed to handle complex waste streams and maximise energy recovery through:
- Material Recovery Facility (MRF): Separates recyclable materials.
- Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Processing: Converts non-recyclable waste into a high-energy feedstock.
- Pyrolysis & Gasification: Breaks down organic and carbon-containing waste at high temperatures to produce syngas, a key fuel precursor.
- Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Technology: Converts syngas into market-ready SAF and renewable diesel.
TRF technology is already being implemented in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, and Australia is well-positioned to adopt similar innovations to address its waste and energy challenges.
The Road Ahead for Waste-to-Fuel in Australia
With landfill space dwindling and biofuels gaining traction, Total Recovery Facilities provide a sustainable pathway forward. By converting waste into low-carbon fuels, Australia can:
- Reduce landfill dependency
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Develop a secure domestic biofuel supply
- Support the aviation industry’s transition to SAF
As global demand for biofuels surges, Australia has a prime opportunity to invest in SAF and renewable diesel production. BE&R see a role in regional, smaller scale, efficient TRFs, as opposed the Large Scale units suited to densely populated Europe and Asia, Working to optimise the trade off between economy of plant scale vs cost of road transportation of waste. Enabling Australia to produce renewable fuel products in regions remote from ports, already paying elevated diesel prices, and to provide for more jobs in regional areas.
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Opportunity in Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced total funding of $33.5 million across five projects under the SAF Funding Initiative launched in 2023. This initiative aims to support the development of domestic SAF production to accelerate aviation decarbonisation. Additionally, ARENA has signaled further investments beyond the previously allocated $30 million, highlighting the growing commitment to scaling up Australia’s SAF industry.
– Future Made in Australia:
The Albanese government is backing Australian steelmakers and manufacturers with a $500 million investment through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. This initiative aims to boost local manufacturing capabilities, including those involved in sustainable fuel production, ensuring Australia remains competitive in the global energy transition.
– ARENA’s Role:
ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) is investing in projects seeking to develop domestic sustainable aviation fuel production. These investments aim to accelerate innovation and scale up Australia’s capability in low-carbon liquid fuels.
– Economic Benefits:
A local SAF industry could add nearly 18,000 jobs and significantly reduce Australia’s dependency on liquid fuel imports. Developing a domestic biofuel market would not only enhance energy security but also create employment opportunities across the entire value chain, from feedstock collection to fuel refinement and distribution.
– Other Initiatives:
The Australian government has also allocated $18.5 million over four years to develop a certification scheme for low-carbon liquid fuels, including SAF. This certification framework will ensure compliance with international aviation standards, helping to position Australia as a leader in sustainable aviation fuel production.
BE&R Consulting: Enabling Waste-to-Fuel Solutions in Australia
Australia’s transition to biofuels and low-carbon energy is gaining momentum, and BE&R Consulting is at the forefront of supporting this shift through expert consulting, project validation, and market feasibility studies.
With experience across biomass-to-fuel technologies, advanced biofuels, and aviation fuel logistics, BE&R is uniquely positioned to support Australia’s emerging waste-to-fuel industry.
Real-World Examples of BE&R’s Capabilities:
- Jet A-1 Import Studies: Evaluated alternative import arrangements for Jet A-1 fuel to supply a major airport, assessing shipping, container-based solutions, and fuel certification considerations.
- Biomass-to-Oil and Hydrogen Pilot Plant Validation (Confidential Client, Singapore/Australia): BE&R Consulting attended trials, reviewed flowsheets, and validated plant testing results for a cutting-edge biomass-to-oil and hydrogen plant, demonstrating expertise in biofuel process validation.
- Carbon Recycle: Waste Tyres and Plastics to Biofuels (Western Australia): Led the business case development for a 30,000 tpa biofuel project in WA, investigating refining options for ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) and SAF, as well as the marketability of the final products.
