Developing a Regional Hub for Circular Usage of Plant Protein Crops in Townsville

Developing a Regional Hub for Circular Usage of Plant Protein Crops in Townsville

Developing a Regional Hub for Circular Usage of Plant Protein Crops in Townsville

The rising global demand for plant protein ingredients (from $7.2B today to $8.6B in 2025) follows booming plant-based food consumption driven in part by vegan, vegetarian and ‘flexitarian’ markets.

In just 4 years, Australian supermarkets are selling 5 times more meat substitute products formulated with up to 65% legume protein ingredients. Sales of niche ingredients such as hemp protein and nutritional oils are also rising.

Plant-based protein as a category is evolving fast in both the consumer and foodservice segments. Brands are working on getting protein into everything – snacks, crackers, cookies, shakes, gummies, cold brew coffee, sports powders, and bars top a long list of protein-based foods with protein-related claims.

However, the manufacture of plant protein ingredients in Australia is a recent venture, with relatively small installations located in southern Australia and none in northern Australia.

At present the Australian food industry is fully dependent on plant protein ingredient imports from China, Europe and the USA. North Queensland currently grows legumes and oilseeds which could be transformed into high value specialty plant protein ingredients such as flours, concentrates, isolates and textured vegetable protein and specialty oils.

Potential crops to develop plant protein flours and oils and by-product examples

Potential crops to develop plant protein flours and oils and by-product examples

Example of an Australian Hemp meal product (Sourced with permission: Red Tractor Foods)

Example of an Australian Hemp meal product (Sourced with permission: Red Tractor Foods)

Furthermore, there is great potential for crop diversification into crops such as hemp, chickpea, sunflower, safflower, and soybean.

Full Harvest Solutions Pty Ltd is building a specialty protein ingredient hub in Townsville. They have linked to the hemp industry in Canada and are exploring opportunities to process hemp and other protein crops suitable to the region. CSIRO is supporting them in establishing innovative pathways for developing specialty ingredients and oils from plant protein crops sourced from growers in the Burdekin region.

We are also looking at zero waste, or ‘circular’, ways of upcycling the whole crop including out-of-spec grains, stems, seeds and  flowers, as aquaculture, ruminant feed, and soil products. A circular approach will enable integration and partnerships across regional supply chains, leading to significant flow on effects and jobs.

The Full Harvest processing plant will have smart manufacturing processing infrastructure with the latest technology (Industry 4.0) to fulfill market demands for such ingredients and develop technical capabilities for the region. The hub is expected to position Townsville as the centrepiece for manufacturing protein ingredients in northern Australia.

About the Authors

Dr. Pablo Juliano is Group Leader in Food Processing and Supply Chains at CSIRO and has broad expertise in the area of food loss recovery value addition, circular bio-economy, and participated in key studies for the establishment of regional processing hubs in Australia.

Mr. Steve Tiley is Chief Operating officer of Full Harvest Solutions Pty and Wandarra, founded to develop a food-based hub and a plant fibre business. Mr Tiley brings experience of many years of working regionally with growers and farmers and connecting business across the Burdekin and Tablelands region.

The project was made possible through CSIRO Kick–Start, an initiative that provides funding and support for innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses to access CSIRO’s research and development (R&D) expertise and capabilities.

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