Green energy
Queensland vegetable producer Kalfresh has partnered with global bioenergy technology leader WELTEC BIOPOWER to deliver a flagship bioenergy facility at Kalbar, marking a major milestone for renewable energy, circular agriculture and sustainable food production in Australia.
The partnership brings one of the world's most experienced anaerobic digestion (AD) technology providers to Queensland, with WELTEC BIOPOWER selected to design and construct the first stage of Kalfresh's landmark bioenergy project. The facility will become the centrepiece of the new Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct, transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy, biofertiliser and low-emissions fuel.
Construction is set to begin in late August following the arrival of specialist WELTEC equipment from Germany, with work commencing on the project's first anaerobic digestion tank.
The bioenergy facility will unlock the full paddock-to-power potential of Kalfresh's vertically integrated farming operation by converting crop residues, vegetable processing offcuts and other agricultural waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) and valuable by-products.
A nutrient-rich digestate produced during the anaerobic digestion process will be returned to surrounding farms as an organic biofertiliser, reducing waste while improving soil health and supporting Kalfresh's long-term vision for circular agriculture.
Kalfresh CEO Richard Gorman said selecting WELTEC BIOPOWER was an important step in ensuring the project is built using proven global technology.
"For us, it was critical to work with a partner that has a proven track record of delivering reliable, long-term infrastructure," Mr Gorman said.
"This is proven technology, and we're building it to last. We've visited operational bioenergy facilities around the world, including several designed and built by WELTEC, and their systems consistently deliver high performance and reliability."
Earlier this year, Kalfresh led a delegation of Queensland farmers to Germany to inspect WELTEC BIOPOWER facilities and gain firsthand experience of large-scale anaerobic digestion technology.
Established in 2001, WELTEC BIOPOWER has designed and constructed more than 450 stainless steel biogas plants across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Cyprus.
The company specialises in corrosion-resistant stainless steel digesters, recognised internationally for their durability, efficiency and long operational lifespan.
WELTEC BIOPOWER CEO and Head of Sales Dirk Krumdieck said the agreement reflects years of technical planning and collaboration between both organisations.
"We are excited to deliver a flagship bioenergy project in Australia that combines Kalfresh's agricultural innovation with our proven European biogas engineering expertise," Mr Krumdieck said.
The bioenergy facility will be developed in three stages.
Stage One includes construction of a 31.48-metre diameter anaerobic digester standing 8.8 metres high, alongside a dedicated digestate storage tank and WELTEC's advanced Control System, providing intelligent monitoring and operational management.
Once completed, the project will demonstrate how agriculture, food manufacturing and renewable energy generation can operate together within a closed-loop, zero-waste system.
At full capacity, the precinct could include up to 14 anaerobic digesters capable of producing enough renewable energy to power approximately 31,000 homes or generate renewable natural gas sufficient to fuel trucks and buses travelling up to 98 million kilometres each year.
Mr Gorman said the project arrives at a critical time as Australia seeks greater fuel security, renewable energy generation and domestic fertiliser production.
"Recent international events have highlighted the urgent need for greater national fuel and fertiliser security," he said.
"Introducing a home-grown, dispatchable source of renewable natural gas into Australia's energy mix comes at an important time. This project provides a practical pathway for reducing emissions while strengthening regional manufacturing and agricultural resilience."
He said the model has significant potential for replication across Australia's farming regions.
"This is a practical, farmer-led solution that works today and can be repeated in agricultural communities across the country, creating additional value from materials already produced on farms."
The Kalfresh bioenergy facility will anchor the new Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct, a 40-hectare agribusiness and food manufacturing hub located at Kalbar in South East Queensland, approximately one hour from Brisbane and fronting the Cunningham Highway.
The precinct will feature 16 fully serviced industrial lots, including three occupied by Kalfresh, providing access to renewable energy, circular waste management services and advanced food manufacturing infrastructure.
The development positions the Scenic Rim as a national leader in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy innovation and circular economy practices, creating a blueprint for future agricultural industrial precincts across Australia.
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