WOA expands its manufacturing partner network to four across Asia
Wide Open Agriculture (ASX: WOA) has signed three additional non-binding framework agreements for contract manufacturing of its proprietary lupin-based ingredients, bringing the total number of prospective partners to four. The three new signatories are Vietnam LifeScience Company Limited (VLS) in Vietnam, Shree Ram Agro Products operating as OMN9 (OMN9) in India, and PT Haldin Pacific Semesta (Haldin) in Indonesia.
The agreements build directly on the framework agreement announced on 10 August 2026, extending an established process rather than representing a standalone event. Together they advance WOA’s strategy of shifting to a lower-cost, capital-light contract manufacturing model.
The Proeon framework agreement, signed on 10 August 2026 with a Netherlands and India-based plant protein manufacturer, established the first framework in this partner selection process and set the structural template that the three subsequent agreements now follow.
To reach this shortlist, WOA has identified more than 95 potential manufacturers, signed more than 12 non-disclosure agreements, and progressed a small number of candidates to framework agreement stage — now totalling four prospective partners.
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Understanding WOA’s structured partner selection process
A framework agreement is a protected pathway for technical and commercial assessment. It is not a commercial commitment and does not represent a revenue event.
The key distinction lies in what is binding and what is not. The intellectual property, restraint, and confidentiality provisions, as well as costs, governing law, and dispute resolution, are binding and enforceable. All other terms — including price, delivery, and commercial structure — are non-binding, and neither party has a claim against the other if a definitive commercial agreement is not ultimately executed.
Running multiple candidates in parallel allows WOA to compare technical capability and commercial terms without locking in prematurely, while keeping its intellectual property fully protected throughout the process. Each term sheet contemplates that the parties will use best endeavours to negotiate a definitive agreement within 90 days, though this timeframe is explicitly non-binding.
Each framework agreement covers:
- IP protection (binding and enforceable, continuing for five years post-termination)
- Technical information sharing on process steps, equipment, and production parameters, and a pathway to trial production — included in the VLS and Haldin term sheets; OMN9’s term sheet does not address these provisions, with information sharing governed by the confidentiality provisions and to be dealt with in the definitive agreement
Manufacturers may not produce lupin-based products for themselves or any third party during the term of any agreement, and for five years after its termination. WOA retains full ownership of all intellectual property relating to lupin products, including any improvements or developments made during the relationship.
What sets each partner apart
VLS operates a dedicated pea protein manufacturing facility in the Bau Xeo Industrial Park in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, drawing on more than 30 years of pea protein expertise within its team. VLS manufactures premium plant protein for supplement, nutrition, and food brands internationally, and its protein isolate manufacturing capability and export orientation are directly relevant to WOA’s lupin platform.
VLS carries a notable conditional exclusivity provision: once VLS completes commercial production of more than 50 tonnes of lupin protein isolate, WOA has agreed to use VLS exclusively for its lupin manufacturing requirements for a period ending five years from the date of the agreement, provided VLS continues to accept WOA’s firm purchase orders and meets production targets in line with WOA’s rolling forecasts. The parties have also agreed to explore potential joint venture opportunities to manufacture large-scale commercial quantities of lupin protein, lupin fibre, and lupin oil.
The lupin fibre co-product recovered alongside protein isolate during processing has received independent CSIRO validation for heat stability, shear resistance, and water-binding capacity, positioning it as a second high-value ingredient stream within the same manufacturing agreements now being negotiated.
OMN9 is an Indian plant protein producer specialising in mung bean protein isolate and mung bean starch, with operations in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and in Delhi. OMN9 supplies clean-label plant protein ingredients to food, beverage, and nutraceutical customers, and brings established protein isolate manufacturing capability relevant to WOA’s lupin-based ingredients. The parties will also discuss potential joint venture opportunities to manufacture large-scale commercial quantities of lupin protein and co-products in India.
Haldin is an Indonesian natural ingredients manufacturer based in Cibitung, Bekasi, West Java, operating multiple production facilities including liquid and powder extraction plants, a coconut processing facility, and a materials preparation centre. Haldin supplies natural extracts, spray-dried powders, and functional ingredients to food, beverage, nutraceutical, and cosmetic customers internationally. Under this agreement, WOA is not bound to use Haldin exclusively for its manufacturing requirements, and no minimum volume or value of orders applies.
| Partner | Country | Specialisation | Exclusivity | JV Exploration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLS | Vietnam | Plant protein (pea protein isolate); export-oriented nutrition and food manufacturing | Conditional: WOA to use VLS exclusively once VLS completes commercial production of more than 50 tonnes of lupin protein isolate, subject to meeting purchase orders and production targets | Yes — lupin protein, lupin fibre, and lupin oil |
| OMN9 | India | Plant protein isolate (mung bean protein and starch); clean-label food, beverage, and nutraceutical supply | OMN9 may not manufacture lupin-based products for itself or any third party during the term and for five years post-termination; no reciprocal exclusivity obligation on WOA stated | Yes — lupin protein and co-products in India |
| Haldin | Indonesia | Natural ingredients; liquid and powder extraction; functional ingredients for food, beverage, nutraceutical, and cosmetic sectors | Haldin may not manufacture lupin-containing products for itself or any third party; WOA is not bound to use Haldin exclusively and no minimum volume or value of orders applies | Not stated |
Craig Swan, Chief Executive Officer
“Signing three further framework agreements shows our partner selection process is progressing. With intellectual property protections now in place with highly respected manufacturers across three countries, we can complete technical and commercial feasibility work in parallel… In the future we intend to progress to the stage of a definitive agreement with the partner best suited to scale our lupin ingredients.”
Next steps and what investors should watch
With IP protections now in place, each party can begin sharing detailed technical information on process steps, equipment, and production parameters, building toward trial production. Next steps include developing proposed timelines for ramp-up activities and working toward alignment on key commercial terms.
Each term sheet contemplates the parties using best endeavours to negotiate a definitive agreement within 90 days, though this timeframe is explicitly non-binding and there is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be reached with any party. WOA has also disclosed that additional framework agreements may follow as it continues active discussions with other prospective partners.
Near-term milestones investors should monitor:
- Technical feasibility assessments commencing across all four partners
- Commercial terms alignment and proposed ramp-up timelines
- Definitive agreement reached with a preferred partner (no guaranteed timeline)
- Further framework agreements possible, per company disclosure
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