Neutrog Australia is ramping up its R&D commitment to global food security, investing $3.5 million in a new research and education facility in regional South Australia.
The unlisted public company has unveiled plans for the world-class multi-functional facility to be located at its current site in Kanmantoo in the Adelaide Hills.
The investment will expand Neutrog’s current on-site laboratory capacity four-fold, significantly boosting the capacity and scope for biological research it carries out, while also creating a new education hub for industry, schools and the community.
“Research and development is an integral part of our company’s DNA,” Neutrog Australia Managing Director Angus Irwin said.
“We have outgrown our existing laboratory and with the increasing demand we are experiencing from our customers and partners we need to position for the future.
“While we’re investing in our research capabilities, we also want to help educate the industry and broader community on the latest global developments in microbes and biologicals and their increasing value to agriculture and horticulture.
“It is widely recognised that over the next 20 years, food production needs to increase by 70 to 100 per cent from diminishing areas of arable land just to feed the world’s growing population. Biologicals are increasingly seen as playing a significant role in achieving this goal.”
Neutrog has built a world-leading reputation for its R&D on microbes that inhibit soil and plant diseases, currently costing global agricultural and horticultural production billions of dollars in both prevention and treatment, most often with chemicals.
The new research centre will include a BC2-accredited (biosecurity containment level 2 approved) laboratory and provide Neutrog with significantly increased scope for standalone and partnership R&D projects and to expand its own R&D workforce.
The adjacent 80-seat education centre has been custom designed to meet growing interest from school, tertiary, industry and community groups. It will include interactive multi-media and hands-on learning options, with planned curriculum to align with society, environment, STEM and VET learning pathways.
Within the development an existing 100sqm carpark is being repurposed into diverse greenscape in collaboration with national plant societies and with sensory spaces incorporated for additional hands-on learning options for primary school groups.
The investment comes as Neutrog continues to grow its reach across Australia and overseas. Over the past five years, staff numbers have risen from around 40 to 70.
Annual revenue is on track to hit $22 million this financial year, up from $19 million in 2022-23, with the company investing more than $1 million annually into R&D.
Exports have risen 20% over the year to now represent $1.2 million in annual sales.
In 2022, the company undertook a successful crowd funding campaign, with more than $3 million raised to go towards the new research and education facilities.
Senior Research Assistant Juhee Hada said the new facilities would allow Neutrog to continue helping farmers and growers meet their production challenges in the future.
“What we do at Neutrog is not research for research’s sake,” Ms Hada said.
“We work closely alongside farmers and growers so we get to see the real life impact of our R&D. I’m excited by the difference our team is making in agriculture and horticulture and what that means for the future of food production.”