Forest Biotech

The Kyoto Protocol encourages the use of plantation forests as a means to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. High yielding industrial forests have a lower land “footprint” and thus demand significantly less resources in preparation and harvest. By producing more wood closer to the mill, transport related environmental pollution can be significantly decreased.

We have established regional collaborations with leading forestry companies to develop high-performing eucalyptus germplasm for the plantation forest industry. Whilst we have focused on eucalyptus, the second most widely used species in the paper and pulp industry, FuturaGene’s technology is suitable for a large range of plantation forest species such as eucalyptus, poplar, willow and other vegetatively deployed species. Learn More

Biofuel

Fossil fuel (oil, coal and gas) currently supplies 80% of the world’s total energy requirements (International Energy Agency, 2007).  However, fossil fuels are not renewable and they contribute significantly to carbon emission, which has been associated with global climate changes. 

FuturaGene’s biofuel program is focused on renewable feedstocks with enhanced yields and processability and which are environmentally sustainable. FuturaGene technology can be used to create biofuel feedstock with increased biomass, shorter crop cycles and improved cellulose accessibility and processability for use in biofuel. In addition FuturaGene is also working on imparting traits (abiotic stress) that would allow feedstock to be grown in marginal lands, currently not employed for food or feed crops.

FuturaGene’s technology is suitable for a large range of cellulosic biomass crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, hybrid poplar and willow which are being developed as biofuel crops. Learn More