Vanilla buyer gets own extraction plant

ONE of two pioneer companies to win the Australian government-sponsored Enterprise Challenge Fund (ECF) now has its own vanilla solvent extraction plant.
The plant is the first in the region and also the first in the world modified to run with hot water, according to Micky Puritau, owner of Port Moresby-based family-owned and operated Paradise Spices Ltd.
“The new equipment has the capacity to process 10,000kg of vanilla beans a month … a massive increase from the 500kg of vanilla beans we were able to process previously using the old press extract method,” Puritau said.
He was thankful to ECF for making it possible for his business.
The AusAID-funded ECF promotes private sector investment in initiatives that extend to services or provide employment and other benefits to communities.
Grants between A$100,000 (K246,669) and A$1.5 million (K4 million) were available to businesses in the Asia Pacific region prepared to at least match the Australian government’s grants.
“So now, not only are we producing a higher quality product, but we are able to produce much more of it. While this is great news for the business it also means we will be able to take more raw vanilla beans from local growers and pay them a better price for it,”  Puritau said.
Last week, Australia’s high commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish officiated at the launch of the extraction plant.
Kemish also announced this year’s ECF PNG winners which were Emirau Marine Products in Kavieng and Masurina in Milne Bay.
Emirau will receive A$996,000 (K2,456,832) to further commercialise its biofuel production and distribution capacity to meet growing demand.