Waste to wealth: MLA-backed innovation unlocks global collagen opportunity

13 Nov 2025

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is celebrating a major commercialisation milestone with the successful launch of Australian bovine collagen products in the United States.

This achievement highlights the impact of MLA’s investment in product leadership, focusing on innovation that aligns with market trends to create new value for the red meat industry.

One example is the transformation of waste hides into high-demand collagen, meeting the growing needs of wellness markets and offering a viable alternative to traditional leather industry applications.

The breakthrough stems from a collaboration that began in 2019 between MLA and Freeze Dry Industries (FDI), culminating in the launch of the Organic Collagen Australia brand and its expansion into major retail channels in the United States.

According to MLA’s Program Manager – Food Innovation John Marten, “This collaboration highlights how MLA’s Product and Packaging Program can support emerging businesses to explore new opportunities and scale their innovations,” John said.

“FDI’s journey from a tech-focused start-up to a commercial brand with international reach is a great example of what’s possible when industry and innovation come together.

“FDI’s relentless focus on freeze-drying efficiencies intersected with our research into hides not suitable for the leather market.

“The result is a new category of high-value consumer goods that benefits the entire red meat supply chain.”

The initial project MLA and FDI undertook in 2019, Developing High Value Freeze Dried Australian Red Meat Products and Services, explored how freeze-drying technology could convert not just hides but initially other low valued products such as blood, bones and offal into premium products.

Building on this, subsequent projects validated the commercial potential of Australian bovine collagen production and its inclusion in a range of products suitable for the U.S market.

“Completing the cycle from research to commercialisation is a huge achievement,” John added.

“It proves that scale is possible, and that there’s real demand for Australian collagen products overseas.”

During this journey, FDI developed and launched Organic Collagen Australia, now stocked in major Australian retailers including Coles, HealthyLife and Nourished Life, and available online.

In the U.S, the brand is sold in 116 health food stores and online, including Amazon, with a national rollout across 462 Sprouts stores scheduled for March 2026.

CEO and Co-Founder of Organic Collagen Australia, Fiona Dobbrick noted that the brand were thrilled to see products reach shelves across the U.S.

“Our two best-selling products, Organic Collagen and Organic Collagen and Liver, will be ranged nationally in Sprouts stores,” Fiona said.

In early 2024, FDI was acquired by a Newcastle-based firm with expansion plans focusing on the production of Certified Organic Collagen and scaling of consumer brands showcasing this collagen.

MLA invites stakeholders to learn more about this success story and other value-based marketing initiatives at MLA Updates in Adelaide on 20 November, where the team will be available to discuss how innovation is driving profitability and sustainability across the red meat industry.