A Dublin-based company has received half a million dollars from the state government to develop and export faba bean plant protein products.
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The funding will assist in the construction of a purpose-built laboratory at Integra Foods facility at Dublin.
A subsidiary of Australian Grain Exports, Integra makes proteins, starches and flours from Australian-grown faba beans.
A dry fractionating technique is used to separate starches from proteins in faba beans, resulting in protein rich and starch rich powdered concentrates that use 90 per cent less energy in the production process than the traditional method.
Labelled the Plant Protein Export Market Development Project, Integra's new venture will target industries including beverages, pet food, fortified foods and feed supplements in several overseas markets.
Integra Foods managing director Tim Martin says the company is playing a leading role in the development of the country's plant protein sector.
"As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian Grain Export, the company has a proud history supporting South Australian growers with marketing their produce to the world," he said.
"We look forward to building on those strong foundations by creating more options for growers by value-adding and reducing the sole reliance on pricing into often saturated and competitive destination markets."
Trade Minister Nick Champion said SA was perfectly poised to lead Australia's plant protein industry, given it produces 50 per cent of the nation's lentils, 37pc of its faba beans and 37pc of its field peas.
The state's pulse and legume exports were valued at $1.4 billion in 2023, growing 58pc on the previous year following a free trade agreement between Australia and India.
"Our state has the opportunity to lead Australia's pulse protein ingredient manufacturing industry and Integra Foods will play a pivotal role in this as it looks to export plant protein products that incorporate their sustainably-grown faba beans to key markets in Australasia, Europe and North America," Mr Champion said.
"This state government funding will enable the company to research, develop and export an innovative South Australian product made from local produce."