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- Roots Sustainable Agricultural Technologies is generating interest from its protein planting program for the meat replacement market
- The company is in discussions with a European consultancy group and bio-based company, to apply for a Euro bi-national grant between Israel and Holland
- It is looking at its technology to increase the protein content in organic crops
- The concept is currently being tested on four high protein crops at the company’s research centre in Israel
- Roots is up 19.57 per cent on the market today and is selling shares for 5.5 cents apiece
Roots Sustainable Agricultural Technologies is generating interest from its protein planting program for the meat replacement market.
Strategically, the company is looking to enter the indoor growing market for organic high-value meat replacement crops.
Roots is currently in discussions with a European consultancy group and bio-based company to apply for a Euro bi-national grant between Israel and Holland.
The application involves three companies in which two of them must be European based.
It is looking at its Root Zone Temperature Optimisation (RZTO) technology on increasing the protein content in organic crops.
RZTO optimises plant physiology for increased growth, productivity and quality by stabilising the plant’s root zone temperature.
The concept is currently being tested on four high protein crops at the company’s research centre in Israel. These crops will use its upgraded RZTO technology, including its newly released heat exchange stub.
Results will be compared to control crops and are expected in December 2019.
The protein program is supported by previous RZTO results which has led to an increase in the volume and weight of the roots. Results also showed increase in the vegetative activity of the plant, therefore increasing the total biomass of plants.
“These observations and RZTO results suggest that the heating and cooling of plant roots may potentially increase total protein content and will be used by Roots to lead the organic segment of the artificial meat replacement industry,” the company stated.
The artificial meat replacement industry currently relies on industrially grown, high protein crops with heavy use of herbicides and pesticides.
If Roots is successful in increasing the protein content of crops, it could result in higher cost efficiencies for growers and farmers using the RZTO system.
Artificial and alternative meats industry is continuing to grow. In the U.S, Fast-food chains such as McDonalds and Burger King have released their own meat-less meat.
In Australia, Hungry Jacks has just released its own vegan burger labelled “Rebel Whopper”.
CEO Sharon Devir says that vegan meat is becoming popular.
“Increasing consumer concerns about the environmental and health impacts of meat coupled with a changing approach from the food industry to create meat alternatives has contributed to the large growth in the meat-replacement market,” he said.
The company says that its technology enables all year production, with relative low energy demand, which is decreasing environmental impact.
“The organic meat replacement segment is emerging as a significant opportunity for Roots’ root zone heating and cooling technology and we see benefits for high-value crops grown indoors organically,” he added.
Currently, Roots is also considering other opportunities in the artificial meat market that is complementary to its technologies.
Roots is up 19.57 per cent on the market today and is selling shares for 5.5 cents apiece at 2:11 pm AEDT.
