By Jasmine Hines

ABC Capricornia

Biofuel topic

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 9:00 am

Rio Tinto can use bio pellets instead of coal in its boilers.

In short:

A company called SuperChar wants to build a $30 million biochar facility.

Rio Tinto will buy bio pellets from SuperChar to reduce coal use.

What's next?

The biochar plan needs local government approval.

A new biochar facility may help Rio Tinto replace coal.

Rio Tinto will use bio pellets made from bana grass to reduce coal use.

The company will supply 35,000 tonnes of bio pellets in 2028.

A study showed that bio pellets can replace up to 30% of coal used.

Bio pellets were tested at Rio Tinto's refineries in 2024 and 2025.

The company wants to use up to 50% bio pellets in its boilers.

SuperChar will make the biochar in a town called Boynedale.

Bana grass is a fast-growing type of grass.

A farmer is growing bana grass for the biochar facility.

SuperChar needs approval from the local council.

The company will make biochar by heating bana grass.

This process is good for the environment.

The facility will also make charcoal briquettes for cooking.

Bana grass can be used to make food for animals.

The animal feed will have 15-18% protein.

The company made briquettes using bana grass.

This will be SuperChar's first production facility.

The company has bana grass farms in other places.

New jobs will be created.

About 25 people will work at the facility.

A farmer is working with SuperChar to grow bana grass.

The farmer hopes the project will create jobs and help the local area.

Many people have to work outside of their farms, but this project might change that.

The farmer is interested in bana grass because it can feed cattle.

The bana grass is starting to grow.

The project is going well, but the company needs government support.

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