PRESS RELEASE: WA Growers Offered First Opportunity to Invest in Large-Scale Canola Processing Plant

Introduction

Local growers in Western Australia’s Great Southern region are being presented with an exclusive opportunity to invest in a proposed high-capacity canola processing plant. This collaborative approach ensures shared prosperity for generations, reflected in the slogan: “Made in WA – You Grow it, We Crush it, together we prosper for generations to come!” This facility is designed to crush up to one million tonnes of canola annually, aiming to enhance local agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Project Overview and Timeline

Pending planning and regulatory approvals, the plant could be operational by 2031. The facility will produce oil, meal, and biochar from residual agricultural wastes, offering farmers access to renewable and sustainable inputs to improve soil health.

$10 Million Seed-Raising Round

The project, led by Infrastructure Asset Group (IAG) under its Australian Canola Oils (ACO) brand, has launched an initial $10 million capital raising. This funding will support early-stage planning, feasibility studies, and development. Priority for investment in this round is given to growers in Western Australia.

Partnerships and Site Details

Commodity Ag, operated by Alan Richardson and his family, is the foundation partner for the project. The Richardsons are established growers in the Great Southern, managing approximately 20,000 hectares. In 2023, they expanded into bulk exporting via Albany, building their own supply chain and establishing receival sites at Willyung and Drome. The proposed canola-crushing facility will be located at the Drome site, which is conveniently serviced by the Mirambeena spur line. Negotiations are ongoing with the WA Government regarding adjoining Development WA land, a move that could enable further project scalability.

Production Capacity and Future Expansion

IAG envisions the facility as the foundation for future growth, with potential expansion into the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD). Initial crushing capacity of 1 million tonnes is anticipated within five years, with Stage Two potentially increasing capacity by an additional 500,000 to 1 million tonnes.

Stage One Operations: Crushing, Meal, and Biochar

Upon reaching full output, the plant will yield approximately 40% oil and 60% meal from each tonne of canola. The meal will be pelletized for use as livestock feed or for export. Biochar, produced from regional agricultural waste, will be available to local farmers, providing a renewable and sustainable input that enhances soil health. IAG is also exploring the use of surplus heat from the pyrolysis process to generate steam and renewable energy on-site. The State Government has expressed strong support for initiatives that drive regional economic growth.

Western Australia’s Canola Sector

Western Australia leads the nation in canola production and export. Current state processing capacity is about 60,000 tonnes, primarily managed by GrainCorp’s Pinjarra plant and Aus Oils in Kojonup. The 2025 WA harvest is forecast at 3.8 million tonnes, with the Albany port region expected to contribute 1.25 million tonnes, second only to the Kwinana zone at 1.35 million tonnes.

Benefits for Growers

Growers in the region will have the opportunity to deliver both GM and non-GM canola to the Albany facility year-round and participate in local value-adding. The biochar produced by the plant presents an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and helps enrich soil carbon. IAG’s approach centers on giving farmers a direct stake in the processing chain, with the initial investment opportunity offered locally.

Leadership Team Experience

IAG’s leadership, including director Enzo Gullotti, brings extensive experience in renewable energy and large-scale infrastructure projects. Mr. Gullotti previously co-founded New Energy, which developed the Rockingham facility to convert approximately 300,000 tonnes of municipal waste annually into electricity.