Leaf Resources Limited announced that it has completed a prefeasibility study on a second-generation commercial biorefinery in Queensland. The study assessed plans to develop a bio-manufacturing hub in a sugar-cane producing region of Queensland. The proposed biorefinery would use Leaf's patented GlycellTM technology to speed up and reduce the cost of converting plant waste, in this case sugarcane fibre, into sustainable chemicals, biofuels and bioplastics. Leaf is commercialising the proprietary GlycellTM method using glycerol to enhance the recovery of valuable sugars and lignin in an acid hydrolysis pre-treatment of lignocellulose. There are currently 12 million bone dry tonnes of available biomass produced in Queensland with more than 90% of this material from the sugar cane industry, of which 80% resides in North Queensland. It was found that 94% of mills in the vicinity could provide biomass to Leaf based on biomass figures currently collected. As part of the prefeasibility study, the company explored locations for the proposed biorefinery and focused on one brownfield site and one greenfield site in the North Queensland region. Following the completion of the prefeasibility study it was found that both sites present similar risks and opportunities. Of significance, it was also noted that both sites would notably benefit from cane cleaning technology due to lower production costs and greater yield of sugar per hectare. The project showed profitability was achievable for material that currently has no value in the sugar cane industry. The study also found that there is an economically attractive proposition for the development of a biorefinery based on GlycellTM technology using biomass from the sugar cane industry. It was noted that there is enough biomass in the form of bagasse or cane trash to facilitate several ligno-cellulosic initiatives without the risk of the biomass being commoditised, resulting in unprofitable ventures.