Rutherford, NSW – Biodiesel Industries Australia (BIA) recently hosted an open day at its Rutherford refinery to highlight the role of locally manufactured biodiesel in decarbonising Australia’s hardest-to-abate sectors.

The on-site forum brought together representatives from Local Government, the Port of Newcastle, NSW DPI Regional Economic Development for the Hunter/Central Coast, and the Hunter Joint Organisation, representing twelve regional Councils.

A Refuelling Solutions Mini-Tanker was also on display, demonstrating how Australian businesses are partnering to deliver lower-carbon fuel options directly to end users in diesel-intensive industries such as transport, mining, rail, marine, and construction.

“Locally produced biodiesel provides a practical, scalable pathway to meet decarbonisation targets while strengthening regional economies,” a BIA spokesperson said. “By reducing reliance on imported fuels and using home-grown feedstocks, we create opportunities for Australian agriculture to participate in an emerging clean energy industry.”

The event underscored the growing recognition that advanced biofuels like biodiesel can play a central role in achieving Australia’s emission reduction goals—delivering immediate benefits today while positioning regional communities at the heart of the energy transition.