Ground breaking for the biodigestor power facility and rendering plant is weeks away, and a second value-add room is on the horizon.

Bindaree chairman JR McDonald said the current work underway is an expansion of the chiller rooms for high-end carcasses. The company grew the business into premium 

“So that just allows us to chill the product in carcass form for a longer period of time, and that’s important for higher grade meat,” he said.

“Ultimately, that our intention; to look after our higher grade beef better.”

Bindaree launched several premium products lines in 2014. Mr McDonald said development of those products is a key company intent.

“Our focus is more and more higher-grade lines,” he said.

Mr McDonald said the biodigestor and accompanying rendering plant for waste materials will break ground in July or August, with a two-year build time.

“We’ve just received a four year process of research, development, government approvals and now consequently, building approvals,” he said.

“So after four years, we’ve just received the go ahead for our biodigestor.” 

The rendering facility will process the waste materials that are not saleable.

Bindaree now operates a value-add facility, or MAP room, transforming larger cuts of meat into cook-ready products. 

The company submitted a development application to council in 2014 to extend the operations, which has been approved.

“And so that’s just an increase in our retail-ready lines, where effectively it can go directly on the retail shelf,” Mr McDonald said.

“Traditionally, not just Bindaree Beef, but the Australian meat industry, has exported bulk meat around the world. 

“What were looking to do now is take it all the way to the retailer or the consumer.

“The new facility will be in a position to make meatballs, and hamburger patties and marinaded beef ribs and things like that.”

Mr McDonald said plans are to site the new value-add facility across from the security entrance.