F&B businesses receive grants from AMGC fund

Three Australian businesses in the food and beverage sector have received grants under the latest round of AMGC’s Commercialisation Fund to boost manufacturing capabilities.

Administered by the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) in consultation with all Industry Growth Centres and the CSIRO, the funding focuses on six National Manufacturing Priorities, in which the F&B sector is included.

NSW business Rapid Phenotyping received more than $500,000 in grant funds for its million-dollar project that seeks to commercialise handheld devices to measure the protein content of grains. It will also be used to assist with determining the quality of raw materials in grain supply chains such as high-protein or low-gluten grains for food production.

Queensland’s Hydrogen Technology Holdings is another fund recipient from the F&B sector. The company seeks to develop a commercial-ready hydrogenated water infusion machine to prolong the lifespan, health and commercial value of wild caught and commercially farmed finfish. The total project commitment is $787,198, of which $371,599 will be received from grant funds.

Bestie Kitchen will also receive nearly $150,000 in funding for the production of nutraceutical gummy chews for cats and dogs, supported by a holistic health and wellness app.

Bestie Kitchen nutraceutical gummy chews for cats and dogs. Image credit: AMGC/Bestie Kitchen

These F&B initiatives are part of a larger group of 15 co-funded projects that represent a total investment of $25.1 million. A total of 70% of total funds ($17.95 million) was contributed by the manufacturing industry and the remainder ($7.16 million) has been derived from the $30 million AMGC Commercialisation Fund.

“Australia’s manufacturing industry is ready to get to work. Manufacturers and their financial commitment to these AMGC projects are demonstrating their enthusiasm and willingness to do their bit to grow the Australian workforce and economy,” said Managing Director for AMGC, Dr Jens Goennemann.

“All 15 co-funded manufacturing projects are expected to generate higher-paying, more resilient jobs onshore, while providing significant export opportunities of high-quality Australian products abroad.

“These projects also demonstrate the multiplier effect of manufacturing, not just in terms of industry committing significant funds, but also in the fact that for every direct manufacturing role 3.6 complementary jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.”

Image credit: AMGC/Rapid Phenotyping