WHAT was once considered a brewing by-product is set to become a valuable resource for Papua New Guinea’s livestock industry, following a new partnership between SP Brewery and local company Nature Calls Limited.
The partnership, announced in Port Moresby on Wednesday, will see spent grain from SP Brewery’s brewing process transformed into locally produced stock feed, providing an environmentally friendly waste solution while supporting local farmers.
Spent grain, the leftover malted barley used in brewing beer, is naturally rich in protein, fibre and other nutrients. Instead of going to waste, it will now be collected from the brewery, sun-dried, palletised and processed by Nature Calls Limited into a key ingredient for animal feed.
SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager John Nilkare said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability while creating opportunities for local businesses.
He said Nature Calls Limited was awarded the contract through the brewery’s tender process because of its expertise and innovative approach to waste management and animal feed production.
“Repurposing spent grain provides a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for both SP Brewery and Nature Calls. This partnership demonstrates our ambition to turn waste into value and close material loops throughout our value chain by 2030,” Mr Nilkare said.
Nature Calls Limited Director Raymond Unasi said the project builds on the company’s years of experience in waste management, farming and animal feed formulation.
Operating since 2009, the company has worked with the National Agricultural Research Institute(NARI) to develop balanced feed formulations suited to different livestock species.
Mr Unasi said the project begins as a pilot program but has strong potential for expansion, particularly at a time when the country continues to face high prices and limited availability of quality stock feed.
He said using spent grain as a locally available ingredient could help reduce production costs while providing farmers with a more reliable supply of nutritious feed.
Nature Calls Limited Director William Sent described the initiative as an investment in Papua New Guinea’s food security and agricultural future.
He said affordable stock feed remains one of the biggest challenges facing livestock farmers, limiting production across the country.
“Food security is national security. By using spent grain as a key protein source, we hope to help farmers increase livestock production while supporting sustainable growth in the agricultural sector,” Mr Sent said.
He added that the company is investing its own resources to test and improve processing methods, with the long-term goal of reducing the country’s dependence on imported protein ingredients used in stock feed.
The partnership forms part of SP Brewery’s “Brewing a Better PNG” sustainability strategy, which focuses on reducing waste, promoting circular economy practices and supporting sustainable development across Papua New Guinea.