Wide Open Agriculture (WOA) will supply up to 60 per cent of its high-value, plant-based protein concentrate, Buntine Protein, to Monde Nissin Australia as construction begins on the company’s pilot production facility.
WOA’s Buntine Protein is a functional, plant-based protein manufacturing from Australian sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), regeneratively grown in the Western Australian wheatbelt. It can be used to replace animal-based ingredients in food and beverages, with potential to create plant-based meat, dairy, baked goods, noodles, and protein supplements, WOA said.
The protein concentrate has been developed to have no carbon footprint, no water pollution and to support the uptake of regenerative farming systems.
Monde Nissin is the parent company for Nudie, Black Swan, Peckish, and Wattle Valley. It is also the national distributor for UK produced meat alternative Quorn, which is made from mycoprotein.
WOA managing director Dr Ben Cole said: “WOA is excited to be working with MNA, which shares our passion to develop the market for regenerative lupin products. This agreement has the potential to catalyse farmers to grow more regenerative lupins and offer consumers a range of innovative, delicious plant-based products.”
Cole said it estimates Monde Nissin will buy up to 60 per cent of Buntine Protein from its pilot production facility over the next two years.
WOA said it had dedicated considerable resources to provide commercially competitive pricing for Buntine Protein against other plant-based protein alternatives, with the specific pricing and tonnages in the agreement confidential.
Cole added that given Monde Nissin’s strong market position and track record, it was a strategically preferred partner to commercialise the potential of Buntine Protein.
While the agreement is non-exclusive, allowing WOA to continue engaging with other potential partners and offer Buntine Protein as a key ingredient in product development to other food and beverage companies, if Monde Nissin’s NPD is received well in their test market, WOA plans to build a large-scale commercial plant to supply their long-term volume requirements, Cole said.
Monde Nissin’s general manager Strategic Projects Ian Griffiths said: “MNA is committed to supporting the uptake of sustainable and regenerative farming practices. We are rapidly advancing a range of innovative products to utilise Buntine Protein with its exceptional nutritional benefits.”
Buntine Protein pilot production facility
WOA said all key equipment for the pilot lupin plant had been received, and it was on track with its commissioning milestones. The facility will enable in-house development of plant-based food and beverage products and development of proprietary IP for Buntine Protein. Construction of the pilot plant has commenced, with initial production of Buntine Protein estimated to be achieved in Q4 FY22.
Dirty Clean Food, the retail brand of WOA, CEO Jay Albany said: “We are pleased to announce the first third-party agreement for Buntine Protein, which provides validation of the potential we have seen from our own product development.
“Indeed, we are optimistic that this agreement is the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial partnership between WOA and Monde Nissin.
“Since our initial design, we have expanded the scope and scale of the facility to enable these types of supply agreements as well as to develop our roadmap – including our high-protein oat milk.”
