The journey starts in the late 1990s when two separate CSIRO research programs intersect. CSIRO Human Nutrition scientists identified low fibre intakes as a major factor in risk factor for diet-related diseases. CSIRO Plant Industry had concurrently bred a variety of barley that contained the attributes being sought. Serendipitously the two projects combined and the outcome is BARLEYmax®.
In 2001 ACVL joins the commercialization initially as a minority shareholder and in 2016 as the majority shareholder. A variety of organizational names used from 2001 to 2013; Barley Max Plus P/L, Ascentia P/L, BARLEYmax® UJV (Unincorporated Joint Venture)
The first commercial crop of BARLEYmax® whole grain was grown in 2008. In 2009 Goodness Superfoods commenced the manufacturing of BARLEYmax® containing breakfast cereals. In succeeding years additional new BARLEYmax® food products, such as breads and snack foods were launched by Goodness Superfoods and other licensees of the technology.
In early 2014 BARLEYmax® Enterprises P/L (BME) was incorporated with a specialist commercial CEO appointed. The company has a strong focus on both increasing its Australian marketing activities and accelerating international expansion.
In early 2015 BARLEYmax® Enterprises P/L (BME) was renamed The Healthy Grain Pty Ltd (THG) as the company acquired options to expand its nutrient dense wholegrain portfolio beyond BARLEYmax®. First overseas license signed with Teijin (Japan). Two new Australian companies commenced manufacture of BARLEYmax® containing foods.
In 2016 The Healthy Grain takes over BARLEYmax® growing and marketing in Australia and New Zealand.
In December 2016, the Teijin Group became a significant shareholder of The Healthy Grain company. Teijin is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare.
