Australian meat start-up Proform Foods has officially opened its production facility for $ 11 million.
The 1600 m², ultra-modern facility on Mount Kuring-Gai in northern Sydney was opened by the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Innovation Karen Andrews and the Federal Member for Berowra Julian Leeser.
Proform Foods has been in the making for fifteen years and claims to have perfected the taste and texture of plant-based meat. The company's patented cooking technology means that the range of products sold under the MEET brand is the best animal meat alternative on the market today (replication of taste and texture, and important health benefits for consumers with a 4.5 star health rating) ). 
The new facility should be able to produce up to 5000 tons of vegetable meat with 70% Australian ingredients every year. Proform Foods tries to increase this to 100% as the local industry matures.
Now that Australia has just signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will facilitate access to export markets, the Mount Kuring-Gai facility will serve local demand and cover the strong export potential for vegetable protein, according to Proform Foods.
State support
Ms. Andrews says food and beverage manufacturing is one of the six priority areas under the Morrison government's Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
“Australians want to buy Australian Made and the world wants our food too. As this manufacturing area continues to grow, we can create more jobs for Australians, ”she says.
"This is a great example of the value our proud agriculture brings. In addition to our meat producers, we can leverage Australia's reputation for producing safe, high-quality, high-quality food."
Vegetable "pioneer"
Proform Foods is considered a "pioneer" in the field of vegetable proteins. The company invested $ 2.3 million in 2006 to partner with the CSIRO as a research provider. 
The company's founders have since invested an additional $ 8 million in research and development and $ 11 million to facilitate the construction of the specialized manufacturing facility.
Matt Dunn, CEO of Proform Foods, says the company is incredibly excited to officially open the next generation plant-based meat factory.
"Global demand for plant-based products is booming and our Australian innovation is winning in both taste and texture," he says.
"With plans to expand globally, we anticipate the company to become a global leader in the vegetable meat industry with sales of $ 4.3 billion, creating new jobs and growth in Sydney and across the country exported. "
Products and availability
Proform Foods currently produces 28 different products including burgers, meatballs, strips of beef, chicken tenders and ground beef. 
The MEET brand is available in a number of supermarkets across the country and will be “widespread” in the Australian and overseas markets in 2021. It is said to be a staple of many "well known" Australian brands.
