Bio Products Australia, a company that transforms agricultural and forestry waste into carbon-positive products, is looking towards the markets in the MENA region, and will be exhibiting at Agra ME, which opens next week in Dubai. New AG International spoke to the Director for Stakeholder Engagement Megan Nicholas and followed up with this Q&A.

1. Tell us a little about Bio Products Australia and its trajectory from foundation to the present.

Bio Products Australia was founded to transform agricultural and forestry waste into sustainable, high-value products. What began as a small R&D project in 2019 has rapidly scaled, with three commercial plants now coming online across Australia.
From the outset, our mission has been to deliver practical solutions, replacing chemical additives, unlocking value from underutilised resources, and enabling industry, government, and communities to participate in the circular economy. Our portfolio aligns with global ESG priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, helping end users strengthen their green credentials and, in many cases, generate carbon credits.
Today, BPA is positioned not only as a producer of next-generation bio-based products, but also as a partner for organisations seeking practical pathways to reduce emissions and transition to more sustainable operations.

2. The company has two products about to come into commercial production specifically for the MENA region. What are these products and how are they derived from their raw materials?

Our wool pellets are derived from low-grade Australian wool that would otherwise have little value or end up in landfill. Compressed into slow-release soil amendment pellets, they hold water, release nutrients gradually, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. They are suitable for a wide range of crops, from orchards to greenhouse vegetables, and we are now exploring added value by blending them with wood vinegar.
Wood vinegar, or pyroligneous acid, is produced through the pyrolysis of wheat straw and forestry waste. In agriculture, it stimulates germination, supports root growth, enhances composting, and suppresses pathogens. In livestock systems, it has shown promise in boosting productivity, including higher carcass weights and milk yields. It also offers industrial uses as a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals.

3. What are the likely markets for these products in the MENA region?

The MENA region faces pressing challenges in water use, soil health, and sustainable inputs.
For wool pellets, markets include high-value horticulture (greenhouse vegetables, berries, and grapes), landscaping, and land restoration or desert greening projects. Their water-holding capacity is highly relevant in arid climates, where every drop counts. Trials in Turkey and North America have shown wool pellets improving soil moisture and crop resilience under tough conditions. Large-scale adoption is still ahead, creating a real opportunity for growers in the MENA region to be among the first off-takers, proving impact where water and soil health are most critical.
For wood vinegar, opportunities span crops such as date palms, wheat, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It also supports composting and can help reduce reliance on imported fertilisers. Importantly, both products align strongly with regional sustainability agendas, from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 to Egypt’s regenerative agriculture goals.

4. Bio Products Australia will be an exhibitor – for the first time – at AgraME coming up in Dubai in October. Why did you choose AgraME?

AgraME is one of the region’s leading platforms for agriculture, agri-tech, and sustainable inputs. For us, it is the ideal venue to introduce our work to a diverse audience across the Gulf, North Africa, and beyond.
The timing is also significant. As our products transition into commercial production, we aim to showcase them on a platform that connects innovators with distributors, policymakers, and growers. Equally, we are there to listen, to understand the needs of farmers and agribusinesses in the MENA region and identify where our solutions can add the most value.

5. You have three production plants about to come on stream in Australia. Can you share some details on these, such as timeline and location? Does the company have any proprietary technology or production processes?

We are scaling across three key sites:
• Wool Pellet Facility (Geelong, Victoria) commissioning 2026
• Pyrolysis Facility (Deniliquin, NSW or Horsham, Victoria) commissioning 2027
• Pyrolysis R&D Facility (NW Coast, Tasmania) focused on bio-oil innovation advancing beyond pilot in 2026

Our technology combines proprietary processes with adapted best practices, but the real differentiator is our technology overlay. Current systems rarely account for feedstock variability, yet factors like moisture content and fibre consistency have a major impact on output. We integrate automated testing, monitoring, and traceability to manage these variables in real time, ensuring reliable, consistent products. This approach underpins our wool pellet line, with its unique compression system, and our pyrolysis facilities, where proven reactor designs are enhanced.

6. Biochar is another product in your portfolio. What sort of research projects are you working on that might also be relevant to clients in the MENA region?

Biochar has enormous potential across agriculture and carbon markets. In Australia, we are undertaking trials in viticulture, broadacre cropping, and livestock systems.
We are also exploring biochar’s role in water retention and salinity management, directly relevant to agriculture in the MENA region. Biochar reduces irrigation demand and improve crop resilience under saline conditions. Beyond farming, new industrial applications are emerging from the use of biochar with wood vinegar in concrete for enhanced strength and durability, as well as biochar in steel production as a low-carbon alternative to coke. These applications hold strong potential in the Middle East, where governments are actively seeking clean technologies that support food security, infrastructure, and emissions reduction.

Bio Products Australia will be exhibiting at next week’s Agra ME.