Professor Paul Lant
Professor

Paul Lant

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56195

Background

Paul Lant is a Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland. Paul has a long history of teaching and research at UQ, and he has held a variety of roles. He was the Head of the School from 2009-2013, during which time he led the establishment of the new School, including the introduction of many new teaching, research and engagement activities. He has a history of successful start-up ventures across his portfolio of research, teaching and commercialisation. He has led many new teaching initiatives and been a key player in establishing UQ Chemical Engineering as a world leader in chemical engineering education innovation. He has started several commercial ventures and has been a Director of several companies. Paul was a Founder and Director of Wastewater Futures Pty Ltd for 20 years. Wastewater Futures is an Australian company that provides process engineering services throughout the entire life cycle. He has consulted widely to industry in Australia, including acting as an Expert Witness in Qld.

Paul is a Fellow of the IChemE and a Registered Professional Engineer Qld (RPEQ). Paul was a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors from 1998-2019.

RESEARCH:

Paul's research portfolio is diverse, and aimed at addressing some critical global challenges and also core challenges facing the hazardous industries. Currently, his major activities are:

The New Plastics Economy: Plastics and plastic waste are globally significant issues. Paul has been leading work at UQ for over 17 years investigating the production of PHA biopolymers. He established the PHA research group at UQ in 2003. Since then, UQ has conducted research on PHA with a total value of approximately $25m. The UQ PHA research group are now recognised as global leaders in biodegradable plastic research, and have had long term partnerships with international companies including Veolia and Norske Skog.

Urban Water Systems: Paul has an international reputation for his research work in the field of urban water systems. Current work focuses on water-carbon-energy linkages in cities.

Energy and Poverty: In 2014, Paul co-founded the Energy and Poverty Research Group at UQ. This is a pan-UQ initiative incorporating the disciplines of engineering, business, social science, environmental science, policy, communications and psychology. The mission is to support positive social, environmental and health outcomes that are vital for sustainable and productive livelihoods in energy impoverished communities in the developed and developing world.

UQ R!SK: Paul co-founded UQ R!SK in 2015 with his colleague A/Prof Maureen Hassall (Director). UQ R!SK is an interdisciplinary initiative to deliver practical, evidence-based outcomes that help hazardous industries address current and future risk challenges. The vision for UQ R!SK is to be a world leader in developing practical and innovative, human-centred operational risk management approaches that deliver real improvements in performance and sustainable competitiveness for hazardous industries.

Paul has a very successful track record of establishing productive collaborative partnerships with industry, and for winning competitive research funding. He has been a CI on 19 prestigious ARC projects, and he has also attracted significant support from industry for research. Paul has been a chief investigator on projects that have attracted in excess of $21 million in grant support from Govt and industry. Paul also led the bid to establish the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation in 2012. This was established with a $10M gift from Dow. Paul was also a lead CI on the ARC ITCC on Bioplastics and Biocomposites (2021-2026) which was established with $5m of ARC funding and $1.5m from industry and Government. Paul has been a co-author on over 150 journal publications and he has supervised 50 PhD students to date. He has an h-index of 54 and 11500 citations (Google Scholar, Aug 2021).

TEACHING AND LEARNING:

An established chemical engineering educator, Paul has received national awards for innovations in undergraduate teaching and supervision of postgraduate students. He was a member of teams winning national teaching awards for both undergraduate and postgraduate education in 2005 and 2006. Paul led the establishment of IWES in 2002. IWES is the leading provider of environmental short course training for Australian industry.

Availability

Professor Paul Lant is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Engineering Environmental engineering

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, Newcastle University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Newcastle University
  • Masters (Coursework) of Business Administration, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Paul Lant’s works on UQ eSpace

248 works between 1990 and 2025
All (248) Journal Article (164) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (69) Book (2) Other Outputs (7)

61 - 80 of 248 works

2017

Journal Article

Rural energy planning remains out-of-step with contemporary paradigms of energy access and development

Herington, M. J., van de Fliert, E., Smart, S., Greig, C. and Lant, P. A. (2017). Rural energy planning remains out-of-step with contemporary paradigms of energy access and development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 1412-1419. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.103

Rural energy planning remains out-of-step with contemporary paradigms of energy access and development

2017

Other Outputs

Surprises Up the Energy Ladder

Pascale, Andrew, Chakravarty, Shoibal, Lant, Paul, Smart, Simon and Greig, Chris (2017). Surprises Up the Energy Ladder. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2943850

Surprises Up the Energy Ladder

2016

Journal Article

Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing

Levett, Ian, Birkett, Greg, Davies, Nick, Bell, Aidan, Langford, Alexandra, Laycock, Bronwyn, Lant, Paul and Pratt, Steven (2016). Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4 (4A), 3724-3733. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2016.07.033

Techno-economic assessment of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from methane - the case for thermophilic bioprocessing

2016

Journal Article

Household analysis identifies water-related energy efficiency opportunities

Kenway, Steven J., Binks, Amanda, Scheidegger, Ruth, Bader, Hans-Peter, Pamminger, Francis, Lant, Paul and Taimre, Thomas (2016). Household analysis identifies water-related energy efficiency opportunities. Energy and Buildings, 131, 21-34. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.09.008

Household analysis identifies water-related energy efficiency opportunities

2016

Journal Article

Comparison of water-energy trajectories of two major regions experiencing water shortage

Lam, Ka Leung, Lant, Paul A., O'Brien, Katherine R. and Kenway, Steven J. (2016). Comparison of water-energy trajectories of two major regions experiencing water shortage. Journal of Environmental Management, 181, 403-412. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.06.068

Comparison of water-energy trajectories of two major regions experiencing water shortage

2016

Journal Article

Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses

Binks, Amanda N., Kenway, Steven J., Lant, Paul A. and Head, Brian W. (2016). Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 892-906. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.091

Understanding Australian household water-related energy use and identifying physical and human characteristics of major end uses

2016

Journal Article

Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

Bai, Xue, Lant, Paul A., Jensen, Paul D., Astals, Sergi and Pratt, Steven (2016). Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment. Renewable Energy, 88, 383-390. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.11.054

Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

2016

Journal Article

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

Strong, Peter James, Laycock, Bronwyn, Syed Mahamud, Syarifah, Jensen, Paul, Lant, Paul A., Gene Tyson and Pratt, Steven (2016). The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane. Microorganisms, 4 (1) 11, 11. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms4010011

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

2015

Journal Article

A systemic framework and analysis of urban water energy

Kenway, S. J., Binks, A., Lane, J., Lant, P. A., Lam, K. L. and Simms, A. (2015). A systemic framework and analysis of urban water energy. Environmental Modelling and Software, 73, 272-285. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.08.009

A systemic framework and analysis of urban water energy

2015

Journal Article

Enhanced triacylglyceride extraction from microalgae using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

Bai, Xue, Schenk, Peer M., Yuan, Zhiguo, Lant, Paul A. and Pratt, Steven (2015). Enhanced triacylglyceride extraction from microalgae using free nitrous acid pre-treatment. Applied Energy, 154, 183-189. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.045

Enhanced triacylglyceride extraction from microalgae using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

2015

Journal Article

The diverse environmental burden of city-scale urban water systems

Lane, J. L., de Haas, D. W. and Lant, P. A. (2015). The diverse environmental burden of city-scale urban water systems. Water Research, 81, 398-415. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.03.005

The diverse environmental burden of city-scale urban water systems

2015

Journal Article

Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment

Arcos-Hernandez, M., Montano-Herrera, L., Janarthanan, O.Murugan., Quadri, L., Anterrieu, S., Hjort, M., Alexandersson, T., Karlsson, A., Karabegovic, L., Magnusson, P., Johansson, P., Bengtsson, S., Morgan-Sagastume, F., de Vegt, O., Laycock, B., Pratt, S., Halley, P., Lant, P. and Werker, A. (2015). Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment. Water Practice and Technology, 10 (3), 546-555. doi: 10.2166/wpt.2015.063

Value-added bioplastics from services of wastewater treatment

2015

Journal Article

Environmental benefits and burdens of phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater

Bradford-Hartke, Zenah, Lane, Joe, Lant, Paul and Leslie, Gregory (2015). Environmental benefits and burdens of phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (14), 8611-8622. doi: 10.1021/es505102v

Environmental benefits and burdens of phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater

2015

Journal Article

The contribution of bacteria to algal growth by carbon cycling

Bai, Xue, Lant, Paul and Pratt, Steven (2015). The contribution of bacteria to algal growth by carbon cycling. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 112 (4), 688-695. doi: 10.1002/bit.25475

The contribution of bacteria to algal growth by carbon cycling

2015

Journal Article

A laboratory investigation of interactions between denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) and anammox processes in anoxic environments

Hu, Shihu, Zeng, Raymond J., Haroon, Mohamed F., Keller, Jurg, Lant, Paul A., Tyson, Gene W. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2015). A laboratory investigation of interactions between denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) and anammox processes in anoxic environments. Scientific Reports, 5 (8706) 8706, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/srep08706

A laboratory investigation of interactions between denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) and anammox processes in anoxic environments

2015

Book Chapter

How does energy efficiency affect urban water systems?

Kenway, Steven J. and Lant, Paul A. (2015). How does energy efficiency affect urban water systems?. Understanding and managing urban water in transition. (pp. 615-631) edited by Quentin Grafton, Katherine A. Daniell, Céline Nauges, Jean-Daniel Rinaudo and Noel Wai Wah Chan. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9801-3_28

How does energy efficiency affect urban water systems?

2014

Journal Article

Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures

Laycock, Bronwyn, Arcos-Hernandez, Monica V., Langford, Alexandra, Buchanan, Jessica, Halley, Peter J., Werker, Alan, Lant, Paul A. and Pratt, Steven (2014). Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 131 (19) 40836, 1-19. doi: 10.1002/app.40836

Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures

2014

Journal Article

Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures

Laycock, Bronwyn, Arcos-Hernandez, Monica V., Langford, Alexandra, Pratt, Steven, Werker, Alan, Halley, Peter J. and Lant, Paul A. (2014). Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures. New Biotechnology, 31 (4), 345-356. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2013.05.005

Crystallisation and fractionation of selected polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from mixed cultures

2014

Journal Article

Enhanced lipid extraction from algae using free nitrous acid pretreatment

Bai, Xue, Naghdi, Forough Ghasemi, Ye, Liu, Lant, Paul and Pratt, Steven (2014). Enhanced lipid extraction from algae using free nitrous acid pretreatment. Bioresource Technology, 159, 36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.133

Enhanced lipid extraction from algae using free nitrous acid pretreatment

2014

Journal Article

Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund

Kenway, S., Binks, A., Bors, J., Pamminger, F., Lant, P., Head, B., Taimre, T., Grace, A., Fawcett, J., Johnson, S., Yeung, J., Scheidegger, R. and Bader, H.-P. (2014). Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund. Water, 41 (2), 184-188.

Understanding and managing water-related energy use in Australian households: preliminary results of a research project being carried out by The University of Queensland and the Smart Water Fund

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Biodegradable and bioderived coatings for controlled release fertilisers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    Controlling the lifetime of biodegradable polymers in natural environments
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    EAP - Biopolymers to deliver bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Opportunity for PHA Production from Corn - A Preliminary Concept Evaluation
    Lihua Starch Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    PHA Bioplastic from Qld Sugar - Pilot Plant Development Project
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of novel biodegradable packaging for marine products
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    A roadmap to tackle marine plastic pollution in Malaysia
    Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
    Open grant
  • 2021
    PHA Meat Tray Prototype
    The Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Facilitating LPG fuel transitioning in crises
    Spectrum Sustainable Development Knowledge Network
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Tough bio-derived and biodegradable wood plastic composites
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Opportunities and Barriers for Distributed Energy Resources Development at Water and Wastewater Utilities
    Water Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Enhanced modelling capacity for the Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratory (ARC LIEF project administered by the University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Intracellular manufacturing - high performance biomaterials from methane
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Novel bioderived and biodegradable wood plastic composites from wastes
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Generating advanced bioplastics from pulp and paper waste streams - technology for making PHA from C1 carbon
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Water-energy-carbon linkages in households and cities: a new paradigm
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    The Industrial Ecology Lab - Integrating data and tools for powerful sustainability analysis (a NeCTAR Virtual Laboratory 201 sub-project administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Stabilisation of algal biomass harvested from coal seam gas associated water to generate a renewable, high nutrient resource
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Adsorption technologies for minimisation of fouling and scaling by the combined removal of hardness, silica and organics
    Origin Energy Resources Limited
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Stabilisation of algal biomass harvested from CSG produced water holding ponds and water treatment facilities
    Origin Energy Resources Limited
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Isotropic fractionation and assimilation of fossil carbon in wastewater treatment plants
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Use of CSG water in Algal systems - Literature/technical review project
    Origin Energy Resources Limited
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Next generation bioplastics: Production of PHA bioplastics from organic waste
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Transformation and Distribution of Fossil Carbon in Wastewater Treatment Pathway, from Input to Discharge
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Understanding and mitigating nitrous oxide emission from wastewater treatment plants
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Production of algae biofuel: a multi-benefit solution for managing coal seam gas (CSG) water
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Understanding Fugitive Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Systems for Reliable Accounting and Effective Mitigation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Fugitive Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Systems
    Water Services Association of Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Advanced environmental and process analysis facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    Evaluation methods for evidence-based total water cycle management planning (SEQ Urban Water Security Research Alliance)
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Trust
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    A Fundamental Understanding of Methane Driven Denitrification
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Australia's Future Research Leaders: Are they coming from CRCs?
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Determination of the fate of dissolved organic nitrogen in biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes and development of appropriate treatment technologies
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Development of a Nitrogen Removal Technology to Integrate with the Novel EnRec Energy Recovery Sewage Treatment Process
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Production of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Polymers using Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Process Technology
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Improving biological nitrogen removal by enhanced mixing in non-aerated bioreactors
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    A Fundamental Understanding of Activated Sludge Flocculation
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Understanding bacterial growth and flocculation in activated sludge systems
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Novel process design
    Sydney Water Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Checks with no balance: Governance and organisational influences on the escalation of commitment in multi-organisation activities
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    SMACS: A prototype settling measurement and control system for activated sludge wastewater treatment processes
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Environmental Engineering Research Event: A National Research Event for Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers
    ARC Special Initiative
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paul Lant is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Lant directly for media enquiries about:

  • Chemical engineering
  • Industrial wastewater treatment
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Water treatment

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au