Monde Nissin Australia the first customer for Wide Open Agriculture’s lupin-based protein

Wide Open Agriculture has signed a supply agreement with Monde Nissin Australia for Buntine Protein, WOA’s proprietary sweet lupin-based protein concentrate, for use as the key ingredient in upcoming food and beverage products.

Specific pricing and tonnages under the agreement were confidential, WA-based WOA told the ASX on Monday, though it said volumes were expected to represent about 60 per cent of capacity for the current Buntine pilot factory over a two-year period. The deal is non-exclusive.

“WOA is excited to be working with MNA who share our passion to develop the market for regenerative lupin products,” said Dr Ben Cole, WOA’s CEO, in a statement.

“This agreement has the potential to catalyse farmers to grow more regenerative lupins and offer consumers a range of innovative, delicious plant-based products.”

Lupins are the most popular type of pulse grown in Australia, the most popular type of which is sweet lupin. Sweet lupin is mainly grown in WA.

Regenerative farming is an approach to agriculture that aims to rehabilitate and improve an ecosystem.

MNA owns brands including Nudie Foods, Wattle Valley and Black Swan, and is the first third-party customer for Buntine.

The first shipment of Buntine to MNA is expected in June, with production of the pilot plant currently underway and all key equipment received. 

The functional plant-based protein will be used as a key ingredient in new product development for MNA. WOA said construction of a large-scale Buntine plant was planned if such products were well-received by customers. 

The company raised $20 million in November from shareholders to support activities including construction of the new lupin pilot plant, as well as designing, building and operating WA’s first oat milk factory.

The company sells its flagship oat milk OatUP under the Dirty Clean Food.

Picture: staff at the pilot Dirty Clean Food factory at Kewdale, WA (supplied)

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.