The Catalyst Review May 2019 - 7

SPECIAL FEATURE

Catalysis in Australia: The Sustainable Success
Story Waiting to Happen
By Michelle K. Lynch, PhD
Australian Macroenvironment
The macroenvironment in Australia is categorised by strength in primary fossil fuel energy production and export with a relatively
low industrial manufactured goods output. Many companies which manufacture in Europe, North America and the Far East only
have branch offices in Australia. Australia's economy has struggled in recent years and its GDP dropped from AU$1.6 trillion in 2014
to AU$1.2 trillion in 2016. It saw some recovery seen in 2017 (AU$1.3 Tn) although 2018 saw difficult financial conditions resulting in
sluggish wage growth and a lull in consumer spending (Ruthven 2015). The Gross Value Add (GVA) for 2017/18 by industry and sector
is shown in Figure 1. Sectors which rely most on physical scientific innovation are grouped to the right and make up almost half of
GVA. The remainder are mainly service-oriented activities. Modest GDP growth of 2.7% is expected in 2019; though much depends
on China's economic performance, to which Australia remains exposed for its own economic health. Australia is a large exporter
of coal and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and some argue that, similar to the Middle East model, it could derive benefit from shifting
some of this output to production of valuable downstream chemicals.
In spite of the poorer than desirable economic growth,
Australia does benefit from industries which have a
strong stake hold in energy, catalysis and advanced
materials (agriculture, mining, industrial manufacturing,
food & beverage, transport and utilities). In 2013-14,
these industries accounted for over AU$100 billion
of Australian Industry Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
(Ruthven 2015). Furthermore, as of December 2018,
Australia has launched itself onto the world map as a
low emissions hydrogen producer and exporter, with
the COAG Energy Council announcing the development
of a National Hydrogen Strategy (National Hydrogen
Group 2018). This move is set to improve Australia's
economic position and will open up a plethora of
new opportunities for energy storage, fuel cells,
electrolysers, low carbon, modular chemicals, and
fuels production which are key areas under research
in Australian universities.

Figure 1. Australia's Real Gross Value Added 2017/18 by Industry.

More than 60,000 people are employed in a
chemical discipline in Australia and contribute,
Source: Enabled Future Limited (adapted from www.austrade.gov.au).
along with other physical sciences and mathematics,
some AU$145 billion to the national economy
(Australian Academy of Science 2016). There are many other catalysis opportunities for each of Australia's main industry sectors and
these are profiled in this article along with the key drivers and funding. Catalysis R&D in 25 different institutions is set out with data
on the largest project funding awards from the Australian Research Centre (ARC). The individual strengths and benefits of combined
collaborative approaches across departments is outlined.
Agriculture & Biomass

Opportunities for Catalysis by Sector

Many new opportunities are opening up in the agriculture and biomass sector in Australia, especially for bioenergy and biorefinery.
There are several governmental organizations and initiatives facilitating and funding growth in this sector. Notable examples
include the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) which funds renewable energy projects as well as interacting with the
International Energy Agency (IEA) on a number of bioenergy related tasks (ARENA, 2019). Regional government departments also act
more locally and have their own initiatives-e.g., The Queensland Government's Biofutures Roadmap and Action Plan (Queensland
Government 2016) and the Victorian Government's Agriculture Victoria Strategy (Agriculture Victoria 2017).
There are many types of sustainable biomass available throughout Australia including Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from cities, red
sorghum, waste starch, woody weeds like prickly acacia and sugarcane bagasse. There is a diversity of approaches for conversion.
The Catalyst Review

May 2019

http://www.austrade.gov.au

The Catalyst Review May 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review May 2019