A new initiative from Swisse Wellness, the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Swinburne University of Technology is turning wine industry waste into premium nutraceutical ingredients ready for sale in local and export markets.
Swisse is working with the CRC to transform surplus fruit and vegetable streams into new products, such as grape marc (skins and seeds) from the wine industry into premium Australian grape seed extract.
Fight Food Waste CRC CEO Dr Steven Lapidge said the project had been the “low-hanging fruit” of industry waste transformation, however is not a simple project and will only be delivered through collaboration.
“Through investing in research and development we will deliver new high-value commercial opportunities for the participants of this project while at the same time fighting food waste in Australia,” said Lapidge.
Swinburne University used 250 tonnes of Victorian grape marc sourced from the Yarra Valley, Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas, for the production of grape seed extract for Swisse.
The research team did laboratory validation, technical feasibility and yield optimisation for the project, with commercialisation now the next phase in the process, said project leader professor Enzo Palombo.
“The next stage of commercialisation is establishing a pilot plant capable of producing the required quantity and purity of grape seed extract for Swisse,” said Palombo.
“Together with our industry collaborators, Viridi Innovation and Austeng, we will work towards producing fully traceable Australian grape seed extract for Swisse this season to go into their premium product.”
Swisee CEO Nick Mann said the company was excited the development was a great opportunity to delicer premium products through an improved process, as well as a nice link to its local Victorian agriculture industry.
“Creating a new ultra-premium tier in the market, using locally grown and processed ingredients will help further grow the category, while also benefiting the environment,” said Mann.
“This is a highly sought-after ingredient in the Australian nutraceutical industry with health benefits including collagen formation, skin health, and antioxidant activity.”
