Next-generation biomanufacturer, Cauldron Ferm, is being supported by the Queensland government through its Industry Partnership Program (IPP) to develop a precision fermentation contract manufacturing facility in Mackay.
By complementing conventional industrial production methods, biomanufacturing holds untapped potential to improve food security, meet national decarbonisation targets, develop new domestic supply chains, and create jobs through localised production. CSIRO forecasts the precision fermentation opportunity for protein ingredients and products could represent a $13 billion market opportunity for Australia by 2030.
Cellular Agriculture Australia released a report last month that showed Australia has the potential to become a global leader in the production of precision-fermented ingredients. The technique is especially useful in complementing existing food production methods to help future-proof Australia’s food system.
Cauldron Bio-fab will be the first and largest end-to-end contract manufacturer for precision fermented bioproducts in the Asia-Pacific region. The industrial biomanufacturing site will employ Cauldron’s novel hyper-fermentation technology, a breakthrough continuous fermentation process which significantly reduces costs.
Driving down the cost of goods to achieve parity with conventional products gives Cauldron’s proprietary platform transformative potential for the global bioeconomy across a variety of sectors. The Bio-fab project aligns with the Queensland new-industry development strategy, to develop industries that will be in demand as the world decarbonises.
There has been strong interest in the work Cauldron is doing. The company received $4.3 million from the federal government’s $392 million Industry Growth Program (IGP) in August, and closed a $9.5 million Series A round, led by Horizons Ventures, in March. In 2023, it completed an oversubscribed seed funding round, raising $10.5 million.
The Cauldron Bio-fab in Mackay will have the manufacturing capacity to supply a range of sectors with bioproducts, with a projected annual production of more than 1000 tonnes. The facility will produce key inputs for the food, nutrition, materials, beauty, personal care, chemicals, and biofuels sectors.
The Mackay Bio-fab is the first planned industrial facility for Cauldron, as the company expands production from their current 25,000-litre demo facility in New South Wales. Cauldron plans to develop a global network of industrial facilities in multiple geographies.
Mackay is also home to the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP), which is receiving a $3.9 million upgrade into a state-of-the-art food-grade compliant facility. This will also boost Australia’s ability to produce novel food and beverage ingredients via precision fermentation, making the region a veritable hub of biomanufacturing opportunity.
Cauldron co-founder and CEO, Michele Stansfield, said the company was honoured to be receiving support from the Queensland Government to develop its first industrial-scale operation.
“This funding enables us to scale our innovative technology as a major milestone in our journey to redefine the scope of biomanufacturing,” said Stansfield.
“We look forward to developing the critical infrastructure to produce essential bioproducts more efficiently and sustainably to meet growing demand.”
For further information about precision fermentation and Cauldron’s activities, check out Episode 51 of the Food & Drink Business podcast, where editor Kim Berry talks with Stansfield.
