AUSTRALIA – The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) has officially opened new laboratories at the Sustainable Innovation Food Technology (SIFT) facility in Nambeelup, south of Perth.
AEGIC, an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia, serves as a delivery partner for Grains Australia’s market insights and market education services, continuing its commitment to advancing the Australian grains industry.
This move comes as a strategic response to recent challenges faced at their previous location.
The new labs, which focus on noodle and Asian product specialization, are set up within SIFT, a leading food innovation and technology facility in Western Australia (WA).
Courtney Draper, AEGIC’s Executive General Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the new setup, noting that their technical experts have been hard at work moving equipment and setting up the new noodle labs at SIFT, reflecting to the success.
“As WA’s leading food innovation and technology facility, SIFT is the ideal home for our Asian products and flour quality labs in the medium term as we work towards more permanent arrangements,” he said.
This transition comes in response to recent restrictions at AEGIC’s headquarters located at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) site in South Perth.
Test results from June revealed the presence of asbestos, prompting AEGIC to seek alternative lab facilities urgently. Draper highlighted the importance of these labs.
“AEGIC’s labs are the crucial link between our market insights and market education services, allowing us to identify opportunities for Australian grains and develop solutions that benefit both the Australian grains industry and our export markets. Our noodle labs also support Grains Australia’s wheat classification framework through expertise in noodle quality assessment for all types of Asian noodles.”
In addition to setting up the new facilities, AEGIC is working closely with DPIRD, Grains Australia, and other industry stakeholders to establish medium-term solutions for all WA-based technical functions. Further details on these arrangements will be provided as they become available.
SIFT, inaugurated in 2024, offers state-of-the-art facilities aimed at fostering food and product innovation among both startups and established companies.
Operated by the Future Food Systems Co-operative Research Centre (FFSCRC) and Murdoch University, SIFT represents a significant investment by DPIRD and is situated within the Food Innovation Precinct of WA in the Peel Business Park at Nambeelup.
“ “I’d like to thank the Australian grains industry and our Members DPIRD and Grains Australia for the strong support we have received during this period,” Draper said.
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