A Victorian agritech company is leveraging a technology largely untapped in Australia to help farmers convert agricultural waste into cheap fuel and fertiliser.
MADE is using novel anaerobic digestion technology to produce biofertilisers and biofuels and develop a scalable ‘biohub’, designed to improve farmers’ yields and profitability without relying on synthetic fuels and fertilisers.
The company is currently fast-tracking its progress through the 2024 GRDC GroundUp program, which aims to accelerate solutions for Australia’s grains sector.
Since commissioning its pilot plant in 2021, MADE has developed a critical understanding of the technology, which essentially mimics the human gut to break down organic matter into useable biogas and a nutrient-rich byproduct called digestate.
MADE is currently trialling digestate-based biofertilisers tailored to plant needs, soil and climate conditions with broadacre cropping farmers in western Victoria.
These trials, supported by the Australian Government Future Drought Fund, are demonstrating the effectiveness of tailored digestate-based biofertilisers in building soil health and drought resilience. Specifically, the fertilisers are tailored to suit the soil conditions and plant nutrient requirements through its different growth stages.
The trials build on lab pot testing recently undertaken by MADE’s university partner, Griffith University, which showed excellent results in increasing plant size, water holding capacity and plant immunity.
MADE has also developed a biomethane which can replace diesel litre for litre, providing a local, reliable and more affordable supply of fuel for farm operations.
But its ultimate goal is for every agricultural community in Australia to have a MADE Biohub – a novel anaerobic digestion technology embedded within a circular bioeconomy where agricultural waste is repurposed to create a reliable, more affordable and zero emissions local supply of biofertilisers and biofuels.
A biohub can be built to suit the requirements of a large farm or farming community. For example, approximately 9000 tonnes of agricultural residues produce 700,000 litres of renewable fuels equivalent to diesel and plenty of high-quality fertilisers for farms.
MADE CEO and founder Joe Finneran said the company was working towards delivering a paradigm shift in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
“Our core purpose is to help farmers transition to locally produced blends of cost-effective, renewable biofertilisers and biofuels to improve yields and profitability in a practical way,” he said.
“Our business model offers multiple new revenue streams for farmers, who can earn revenue supplying agricultural waste to a MADE biohub then purchase back tailored biofertilisers and low-emissions biofuels at very competitive prices.”
Mr Finneran said MADE biohubs were also capable of generating revenue by functioning as grid level battery storage, natural gas supply and also offering the potential for carbon positive farming.
He said Australia’s uptake of biofuels and biofertilisers was dramatically behind the Europe and US which each have tens of thousands of AD (anaerobic digestion) plants. Currently, there are about 120 AD plants operating across Australia – only a handful produce biofertilisers, with most used to produce gas.
“Research undertaken by our partner, Griffith University, indicates that Australia has enough agricultural residues to build 19,000 AD plants,” he said.
“The main reason these plants haven’t been built is because there is a real lack of understanding here about the potential of anaerobic digestion technology.”
MADE joined the GroundUp program to further enhance its understanding of market opportunities and routes to market for its innovative solutions.
Supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), GroundUp is a 12-week accelerator program run by the Agtech and Logistics Hub, which is powered by AgriBusiness Connect.
It was launched to drive innovation in the Australian grains sector, with a grower-led focus to find real solutions to improve productivity.
AgriBusiness Connect CEO Thomas Hall said the innovators selected for this year’s GroundUp program offered a host of remarkable solutions.
“We are incredibly excited about the 10 innovators in this year’s cohort, who were selected from a large number of quality applicants from across Australia and beyond,” he said.
“It’s great to see MADE working towards solving a major challenge in the grains industry – reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers while improving soil health to improve yields and reduce costs.
“We can’t wait to see how they further progress their solution throughout the program.”
MADE will be among the participants who will showcase their solution to potential investors and end-users at the 2024 GRDC GroundUp Showcase Day on August 29.
Held at the Agtech and Logistics Hub, the event will also feature exhibitors with technologies to complement the Australian grains sector.