Bio packing breakthrough: From lab to marketplace with Dr Nasim Amiralian
The University of Queensland’s Dr. Nasim Amiralian initially reached out to the growᴬᴳ platform after enquiring about an opportunity listed, Nasim was seeking partners and funding in the agrifood sector to accelerate her bio-packing technology.
Name: Dr. Nasim Amiralian, Group Leader of the Bio-Inspired Materials Group
Organisation: University of Queensland
Technology: Bio-packaging made from sugarcane waste, which is compostable and recyclable, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic that extends the shelf life of produce, with the potential to replace items like berry punnets.
Seeking: Partners and funding to scale innovation
Connections made: AgriFutures Australia, Agribusiness Connect Circular Economy grant, Avocados Australia, Fight Food Waste CRC, Hort Innovation, Stora Enso, SunRice.
growAG. Engagement Manager: Rebecca Bradford
The University of Queensland’s Dr. Nasim Amiralian initially reached out to the growAG. platform after enquiring about an opportunity listed, Nasim was seeking partners and funding in the agrifood sector to accelerate her bio-packing technology.
In their initial conversation, growAG. Engagement Manager Rebecca and Nasim explored industries and organisations that were actively seeking bio-packaging solutions and discussed the importance of strong industry connections when applying for funding through industry bodies.
“I was able to share with Nasim how research is funded through the RDC system, and how growAG. provides support by opening doors, flagging new opportunities, and connecting researchers with options they might not have considered,” explained Rebecca.
Through prompts from growAG.’s Concierge Service, Nasim applied for the $50,000 Agribusiness Connect Circular Economy grant in 2024. To strengthen her application, Nasim requested introductions to potential industry partners, resulting in growAG. connecting her with AgriFutures Rice Program - leading to discussions with SunRice – and Australian Avocados. Through growAG. Nasim was also connected with global corporate Stora Enso who was able to give her relevant and helpful feedback on her technology.
Nasim’s engagement with growAG. also led to a connection with AgriFutures Australia’s New Enterprise Manager, who was scoping opportunities to develop new revenue streams for producers in areas such as waste. This connection led to discussions about potential a project.
Through one-on-one support provided by Rebecca, Nasim also listed her own opportunity on the growAG. platform to generate interest in her technology and help raise her profiles across the ecosystem. Her opportunity received almost 300 page views on the growAG. platform.
Today, Nasim is using her grant funding to apply her materials as a thin, edible coating for fruits such as apples, limes, bananas, and avocados and sustainable packaging for strawberries and blueberries, both to extend shelf life. “Rebecca has been extremely helpful, always putting me in contact with industry partners whenever I needed. That support has made a big difference in taking this technology forward,” Nasim said.
In brief:
- Visibility of opportunities: Timely access to new funding and partnership opportunities across the ecosystem, with simple ways to connect or apply.
- Increased exposure: Building visibility and attracting potential partners through an opportunity or profile listing.
- Tailored support: One-on-one engagement to understand an innovation and identify aligned opportunities and facilitate connections and introductions.