One of Australia’s holistic and organic food companies is opening a new R&D center on the Gold Coast as it plans to expand its product range and global footprint. Named the ‘Amazonia Innovation Lab,’ the 1,450 m2 site will become the worldwide headquarters for the fast-growing organic food business that is experiencing rapid growth in the wake of COVID-19 – with growing awareness around health attributed to this trend. Amazonia CEO Yohann Azlee said that the ‘Lab’ will be a place for sustainable experimentation with plant-sourced superfoods to create new natural and sustainable nutritional formulations that supplement health in an environmentally friendly and ethical way.
“Our new Lab will not only be the new global headquarters for Amazonia and house our planned 50 or so Queensland based staff, but it is also going to be the place we innovate with plant-sourced nutrients to create highly effective nutritional solutions,” Mr. Azlee said. “We plan to make this the location where we continue to map out our global expansion while experimenting with new fruit and vegetable varieties as we seek to identify ways to use them in future products."
The 1,450 m2 site will be fitted out to the highest possible eco-friendly standards and sustainable principles, including 5Star Green Star Design with the Green Building Council of Australia.
Big milestone
Mr. Azlee, who joined the company in 2019, said that this facility represents the next “big milestone” for Amazonia as it expands its product range to close to 80 varieties, and adds plant-based alternative meats to its offering. It will also allow them to utilize this space to develop specific products for particular markets allowing it to grow its export base. This news comes off the back of continued domestic and international growth for the business including a recently signed distribution agreement with Coles across Australia.
However, for Mr. Azlee, as an environmentally friendly company, the Lab will allow Amazonia a space with which to build and implement key sustainability and community impact measures. “Our single biggest driving principle at Amazonia is to use our platform for the greater good of people and the planet,” he said.
For more information:
Amazonia
holly.johnson@amazonia.com.au
www.amazonia.com