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Eucalyptus
oil
Based on Australian species, overseas plantations
currently satisfy most of the world’s demand for eucalyptus
oil. Current Australian research and development is looking
at the prospects for large scale, multipurpose, mechanised eucalyptus
oil production systems to help Australia re-gain its prominence
in the world market for oil and the development of new products
based on its derivatives.
The pharmaceutical market for eucalyptus oil—for example,
soaps and decongestants—seems unlikely to grow any further,
but there is a growing market for specially refined products.
For example, eucalyptus oil-based industrial solvents could
potentially replace expensive or ozone depleting solvents currently
being used.
Leaf oil content has a big effect on the viability of eucalyptus
oil production. Increasing the oil content through genetic selection
or management to around 5% is seen as essential because of the
high fixed costs of harvesting and transporting. In the meantime,
research and development continues into on-farm oil extraction
options, low-cost mechanical harvesting systems and integrating
eucalyptus oil production with biomass energy production systems.
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