Looking good for cosmetic industry

MINISTER Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke wants to see a cosmetic industry biofactory built in Townsville.

The Mundingburra MP said plans by California- based Amyris Inc to build a plant producing the product farnesene from sugar cane biomass would create 70 jobs and pour millions of dollars into the northern economy.

Farnesene is used in the manufacture of vitamins and cosmetics, all of which Amyris wants to sell into an expanding Asian market.

Ms O’Rourke said the company was looking at three cities – Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg – in which to build the biorefinery. She said she was anticipating at this stage that Amyris would be in a position to announce where it intended to build a plant by the end of the year.

“We can establish a good case for it coming to Townsville. We have abundant sugarcane just to our north and south plus we have a city with wonderful facilities. We have got the capability to accommodate this sort of business here in Townsville,” she said.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’Callaghan told the Townsville Bulletin on Wednesday that her organisation had extended an invitation via Ms O’Rourke’s office to Amyris, to come to Townsville.

Ms O’Rourke said yesterday that she was working with TEL to ensure that Amyris set up shop in the city.

Amyris president and CEO John Melo said a growing demand in China for vitamins and the Asian demand for cosmetics and fragrances supported the need for a farnesene factory in Queensland.

“Queensland offers an excellent location option for Amyris with its favourable business climate, extensive sugar industry and geographic proximity to these markets,” Mr Melo said.