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Applications
for RIRDC funding for 2008-09 are now CLOSED
Click
here for information on the application process, and to apply for
RIRDC scholarships
Objective:
To support the continued development
of an environmentally sustainable and profitable Australian tea tree oil
industry that has established international leadership in marketing, in
value-adding, and in product reliability and production.
Research Manager:
Roslyn Prinsley, Phone:
02 6271 4120 email: roslyn.prinsley@rirdc.gov.au
Key
long term strategies
Enhance production systems to
maintain the competitiveness of Australian growers
Identify regulatory regimes
and market barriers and enhance the ability of the industry to meet safety
standards
Demonstrate proof of concept/efficacy
for innovative applications of tea tree oil
Foster communication that increases
understanding, encouraging greater use of tea tree oil
Background
The industry comprises
about 100 growers and is located principally in northern New South Wales
and on the Atherton Tableland in Queensland. About 3,000 hectares of cultivated
tea tree grows in these locations. In 2005–06, 522 tonnes of oil were sold,
more than double the volume sold in 2001/2. Gross value of production is
about $12 million. The market for tea tree oil in the cosmetic and personal
health areas is maturing with the oil no longer being sought for its novelty
value. Oil is a component of a very wide range of personal health care,
cosmetic and animal care products. There is also one rural industrial use
of tea tree oil now commencing and at least two known pending industrial
uses. About 90% of Australian tea tree oil is exported, principally to
North America and Europe. Currently production in other countries is not
significant, however this could change as the price increases.
The key challenge for the
industry is to continue to improve profitability and increase demand. Reducing
costs of production is not only important as a potential contributor to
restoring profitability but also to maintaining Australia’s competitive
advantage against the rest of the world. The yield from the improved seed
offers significant potential for lowering costs. On the production side,
continued work on breeding superior genetic material remains a priority.
The challenges on the demand side are to identify new markets or enhance
existing markets that will require large quantities of oil. Building on
recent R&D achievements, particularly relating to safety and efficacy,
and exploring new options for new applications of tea tree oil are means
of attaining these goals. This requires a long-term approach with continued
seed funding to demonstrate the oil’s capability and stimulating research
by others. It is necessary to demonstrate to potential users and regulatory
authorities that tea tree oil is safe and effective. This requires a high
level of communication to potential users and authorities as well as the
development of new information regarding the impact and safety of tea tree
oil. The Safety Dossier developed for the European Scientific Committee
on Consumer Products is being designed so that it can be used, to the maximum
extent possible, to meet regulatory requirements of other countries and
Directives.
Some
Key Performance Indicators
Oil yield increases of up to
150%, compared with the industry standard, by 2010–11
Level of uptake of improved
genetic material
Level of new information available
in peer reviewed journals on safety, efficacy and mode of action that originates
from research funded by the program
Evidence of new product development
activities
New value added products
Strategies
for 2007–08
Increase yields through breeding
to provide Australian industry with a competitive advantage
Investigate the efficacy of
tea tree oil and develop new products
Address relevant safety issues
in the tea tree industry
Expected
key outputs for 2007–08
The development of plasma polymerised
thin films from Australian Tea Tree Oil; an assessment of the electrical
and optical properties of these polymer thin films; and test results of
the polymer thin films for applications in the electronics industry
An assessment of the effects
of tea tree oil on the formation of damaging biofilms by several different
micro-organisms
An assessment of tea tree oil
as a beneficial treatment for decolonisation of MRSA positive chronic wounds
Expected
key outcomes in 2007–08
Improved seed from the breeding
program
Uptake of improved seed from
the breeding project by growers
Better informed product development
and new products available for commercialisation
New
projects being funded or under consideration in 2007–08 include:
| Project
No |
Title |
Researcher |
Phone |
| PRJ-000002 |
Use
of tea tree oil against buffalo flies in cattle* |
Mr
Lex Turner |
07
5464 8749 |
| PRJ-000005 |
Effects
of tea tree oil on microbial adhesion* |
Professor
Tom Riley |
08
9346 3690 |
| PRJ-000009 |
Anticancer
activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil* |
Professor
Tom Riley |
08
9346 3690 |
|
New
and improved bioenergy crops |
Michael
Djordjevic |
|
Note: An asterisk (*) indicates
that the Corporation is still to finalise amendments to the project.
 Research
budget: $424,349
|
