Sunshine Coast company Resis Australia Pty Ltd will celebrate successful completion of its pilot plant facilities in Nambour and launch its innovative new sugar cane juice product to Australian consumers.
Resis Managing Director Sonya Maley said the product has been made possible through its unique cane separation technology which the company purchased from the US and further adapted. The end result is a clean, minimally processed cane juice in a stable form that has flexible applications for a new sweetener in the food and beverage industry.
She said the pilot plant funded with assistance from Federal Government’s Commercialisation Australia program had given Resis a better understanding of the production process required for scale up and the product’s “flexibility as an alternative to using refined sugar as a sweetening ingredient for food and beverage manufacturers”.
Sunshine Coast Council has been assisting Resis to help plan for a full commercial plant in the region, Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Portfolio Councillor Lew Brennan said.
“Council supports the growth of Resis and will continue through key projects like the Canelands Master Plan and our new Local Business Support Program,” he said.
“I congratulate Sonya and Resis for providing one of a suite of solutions to the future use of cane lands and am confident of its ongoing success.”
Ms Maley said the juice was currently being tested by a larger international food manufacturer.
“This pilot plant is providing invaluable information for future investment in a full-scale manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast based on sustainable and viable markets,” she said.
“A commercial plant when established will bring new opportunities to cane growers through new markets; also to local communities through skills development.”
Cr Brennan said the Resis investment fitted perfectly with council’s vision of the hinterland’s economic future as the premier food production region in the nation.