This prickly, thistly safflower plant produces a bio-oil product which is being used as an alternative to petroleum-based oils.(ABC Landline: Tim Lee)
Thistly, prickly plants were used by Australian farmers for many years as a break crop for their cotton crops. A small amount was sold each year to the birdseed market.
However, as the world works towards a carbon-neutral future by 2030, GO Resources, a clean technology company, has reinvented this unassuming crop to meet the rising demand for multi-billion-dollar biofuel markets.
David Hudson, research and development manager, said that "We have just seen recently at COP26 conference...the major push to really move away fossil-based fuels."
"This is the purpose of the entire plant bio-based industry; using plants to develop and produce oils that can replace crops like palm oil but also as a fossil fuel oil.
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The science behind golden oil
This biofuel product is made from a specially bred Safflower that has high levels of Oleic Acid. It yields up to 93% oil, the highest purity of any plant oils on the market.
Go Resources, a Victorian-based company, purchased the commercial rights to CSIRO's genetically engineered variety. They hoped their product would one day replace fossil fuels for lubricants and bioplastics as well as pharmaceuticals.
The company has funded research in Western Australia's Ord Irrigation Scheme since 2015. This scheme was first identified for its potential for seed production.
This fieldwork was integral to the success commercial harvests at a variety of sites across NSW, Victoria, and South Australia over two years.
However, Mr Hudson was also instrumental in the commercialisation of GM cotton in Australia and GM canola there. He said that WA's Wheatbelt seemed to be the ideal place to increase their commercial plantings by 2022.
The tap root of the safflower plants is enormous, which gives it drought tolerance. It also has an advantage over other crops, such as wheat, canola, and lentils.
Research suggests that the crop thrives on salty and sodic soils. This is a problem in WA's southern regions, which are home to many of WA's grain-growing areas.
A WA supply chain
Mr Hudson stated that the results of the 24 field trials conducted this year between the Wheatbelt & Esperance showed that safflower is a good choice for WA grain growers.
"We know that safflower is able to grow very well. He said that safflower has many benefits, especially on sodic or saline soils.
"We will establish ground transport using existing crushing facilities in WA to crush and extract oil for export."
R&D trials are promising
Hudson stated that it was more economically sensible to move the industry closer to the south processing facilities, but Ord farmers will continue to play an important role in producing seed stock for the north.
Two varieties were recently harvested by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Kununurra, 20 kilometres away.
A 22-hectare field of safflower stock was also picked. It is currently being bulked up in preparation for the first commercial crops that will be planted next year in WA's grain belt.
Mark Warmington, DPIRD research station manager, said that after many years of work at the facility the possibility of pioneering a biofuel industry was thrilling.
He said, "We can produce the seeds for WA in off-season, transport them down south, then it's ready to be growners to take it."
Warmington stated that if safflower was more economically feasible to grow in the northern, it could be used alongside the cotton industry as a rotation crop.
It will be grown in southern WA with canola. Canola has reached record highs this year at nearly $1,000 per tonne.
Profiting from the growing biofuels market
Biofuels will be in high demand due to the growing need for clean and sustainable energy supplies.
Mr Hudson stated that he was excited by the commercial opportunities to export their biofuel product as well as for use in machinery on Australian farms.
Initial research done in collaboration to an Australian lubricant manufacturer have shown that safflower oils is a superior lubricant. It emits less than traditional petroleum-based products, and it reduces friction and wear on engine parts.
"And we believe that this will become a reality in the near future."
The global oleochemical and industrial oils market is worth more than $30 billion annually.
