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Vol. 18 No. 10
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Push for pulse protein BY DEAN LAWSON
W
immera development leaders are on the hunt for investors willing to pump $30-million into a project to launch a protein-powder industry in the region.
Four years of research and planning has gone into the concept, which involves extracting protein from the waste of pulse crops and processing a final product in a proposed Burnt Creek factory on the outskirts of Horsham. The project is based on high international and national consumer demand for protein powder used in the health and fitness industry and as a general supplement to improve food quality. Wimmera Development Association has developed the Wimmera Pulse Protein concept with grains industry group Wimmera Grains Cluster. Association executive director Jo Bourke said 2011 observations of high concentrations of protein in by-products produced in the cleaning and processing of
pulses and used for animal feed had sparked the project. She said research quickly established the scale of the raw produce available, a market base and global trend data confirmed the opportunity. “Current protein isolates are derived from dairy whey and soy beans and because both attract an allergen warning statement, there is interest in pulses as an alternative protein source,” she said. “Market research has established there is a rapidly growing market in Australia for protein isolates, particularly at the 90 percent concentration level.”
Ideally placed
Mrs Bourke said the Wimmera, a major producer of pulses such as lentils and faba beans that are naturally high in protein, was ideally placed to be the heart of a protein powder industry. She said raw materials were readily available, grain-processing networks were entrenched, as well as international transport and logistics expertise, and the region was already recog-
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
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Flying high for Father’s Day Stawell Warriors Shane Field will celebrate with son Lenny before he plays in a first semi-final against Minyip-Murtoa on Sunday. The big man is in great form going into the do-or-die Wimmera Football League clash. Story, page 3. Picture: DEAN LAWSON
nised for international crops research and development. “There has been considerable amount of work and trials going on behind the scenes that have involved tapping into government funding to establish everything from the best ways to collect, process and distribute the product to guaranteeing quality assurance and establishing a niche in the market,” she said. “The concept is about capturing 20 percent of the existing $80-million to $90-million imported protein market alone, without even thinking about the massive export potential. “The groundwork has basically been done and shown that this is an industry waiting to happen. We’ve been talking constantly with state and federal governments about the project, but what it really needs now is for an investor or investors to jump on board and run with it.” Mrs Bourke said anyone interested in finding out more about the project could call her at Wimmera Development Association on 5381 6500.
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