Despite recent challenges, Australia’s sugar industry is poised for growth, particularly if investment into diversification of the sector goes ahead, facilitating the development of biofuels and bioenergy projects to create new revenue streams for sugar producers.
Initiatives like Queensland's $180 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF), are receiving support from local sugar industry bodies that have recognised the need to leverage “sugar’s potential to underpin a biofuels and bioenergy industry”.
“Following a difficult 2025 season, the local sugar industry will be eyeing new avenues for growth and will also be investing in solutions that will improve the productivity and energy efficiency of their processes,” said Eric Quevauvilliers, sales engineer for Qld at Bonfiglioli.
“Power transmission solutions will continue to play a key role in the renewal of production processes.”
Bonfiglioli’s range of solutions for sugar cane processing include high power, compact gearmotors, planetary and combined gearboxes, and multi-drive solutions complete with inverters for speed control and synchronisation, which are ideal for use across a range of applications – from cane carriers and clarifiers to crystallisers.
“With decades of experience in sugar processing, Bonfiglioli has engineered solutions that deliver the torque, long operating life, variable speed control, and energy efficiency favoured by sugar producers,” Quevauvilliers explained.
“Our product adaptability sets us apart, allowing us to seamlessly integrate different components to deliver solutions tailored to the customer’s specific speed and torque requirements.”
Standout solutions in the Bonfiglioli portfolio include:
- The 300M Series Planetary gearmotor offers exceptional power density and efficient power transmission thanks to its high torque-to-weight ratio and a torque capacity up to 1,286,700 Nm. It offers a compact design, long service life and efficient heat dissipation, as well as low maintenance costs. In addition, it’s designed to withstand the high shock loads and harsh operating environments associated with sugar production. This is a flexible solution, offering a variety of customisation options.
- The 3/H Series Helical Bevel gear unit handles very high torque, with a torque range up to 1,188,610 Nm and power transmission. It offers high shock-load resistance and reliability, with a long operating life. With a modular design, it allows for straightforward configuration changes or upgrades, and supports different cooling or coupling solutions as operational demands evolve.
- The HD Series Combined Planetary/Helical Bevel gear unit is a cost-efficient solution, with low maintenance costs and long service intervals. It offers a high torque rating, robust housing and a wide range of ratios as well as varied output shaft configurations and motor mounting options.
These solutions are built to last, with Quevauvilliers sharing that a 15-year-old high ratio 300 series planetary gearbox is still in the field at a local sugar producer.
“In industrial power-transmission terms, 15 years is not ‘normal operating life’ – it’s proven durability. This is a testament to the engineering quality of Bonfiglioli solutions, as well as the impact of proper selection and disciplined maintenance,” he concluded.
