Amazonia to build ‘innovation lab' for experimentation with plant-sourced superfoods

Australian health food company Amazonia is preparing to build an 1,450sqm ’innovation lab’ on the Gold Coast as it plans to expand its product range and global footprint.

The ‘Amazonia Innovation Lab’ will become the worldwide headquarters for the fast-growth company that is taking advantage of a newly health-conscious consumer base in the wake of COVID-19.

The company’s CEO Yohann Azlee said the lab would be a place for sustainable experimentation with plant-sourced superfoods to create new nutritional formulations that supplement health in an environmentally friendly way.

“Our new Lab will not only be new global headquarters for Amazonia housing 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,” Azlee said.

“We plan to not only 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.

“This site represents the hopes and aspirations of Amazonia as we seek to establish ourselves as Australia’s leading innovator in health in a site that allows us to control our destiny.”

Founded in 2008 by 2016 Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner Dwayne Martens and his business partner Chris Norden, Amazonia exports to several countries including South Korea where it is the leading supplier of plant-based supplements and the United Arab Emirates - a country that has gone mad for Amazonia’s frozen açai.

To be located at Unit 8, 12 Distribution Court, Arundel on the Gold Coast the 1,450 sqm, Amazonia says the site will be fitted out to the highest possible eco-friendly standards and sustainable principles.

Azlee said the facility represents the next “big milestone” for Amazonia as it grows its product range to close to 80 and adds plant-based alternative meats to its lineup.

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 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 since Dwayne and Chris founded it is to use our platform for the greater good of people and the planet,” he said.

“Our Lab will provide us with the ability to provide a centre that houses a number of the community forums, industry and educational partnerships we are developing all designed to create a more sustainable future.

“It is this piece that I know excites the Amazonia leadership team as the Lab will allow us to build our business while at the same time growing our impact.”