Media Releases


New international partnership to benefit food and beverage producers

30 March 2023

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and leading UK food and beverage services organisation Campden BRI this week announced the signing of a new strategic partnership agreement. Drawing on each other’s significant beverage and food testing capabilities, the AWRI’s commercial arm, Affinity Labs, and Campden BRI will collaborate on new, world-leading services and solutions for customers and members in Australia and the UK. Both organisations are known for taking a science-driven approach to helping their customers and members succeed.

AWRI Managing Director, Dr Mark Krstic, welcomed the alliance, saying “Campden BRI and Affinity Labs have many complementary strengths and experiences providing valuable services to the food and beverage sectors. Our two organisations share similar history, values and culture and can learn a lot from each other. We look forward to expanding the capabilities we provide to Australian food and beverage producers through this strategic partnership.”

Campden BRI Chief Executive, Peter Headridge, said “This new collaboration will provide synergies across a range of sectors and services. We anticipate working closely together on compositional and integrity testing, as well as developing new services for the benefit of food and beverage producers in both the UK and Australia.”

For Affinity Labs, the first activities supported by the partnership will include new options for shelf life testing of foods and beverages that comply with EU and US standards. For Campden BRI, the partnership will initially support the introduction of new wine testing services in the UK, similar to those already offered by Affinity Labs in Australia.

Media contact: Ella Robinson, AWRI Communication Manager – 0402 402 121 or ella.robinson@awri.com.au

About the organisations:

Campden BRI has over 3,000 member companies in 80 countries. We are the trusted, premier, independent technical partner of choice for the food and drink industry and provide a wide range of services and products, all underpinned by investment in meaningful reearch and science. We enable our members in particular to stay ahead of the curve and make the best decisions for their businesses and consumers. Website: campdenbri.co.uk

The Australian Wine Research Institute is the Australian grape and wine industry’s own research organisation. It supports a sustainable and successful grape and wine industry through world-class research, practical solutions and knowledge transfer. Website: awri.com.au

Affinity Labs works with producers and suppliers, from farm to table, providing specialised scientific, testing and quality assurance services. Powered by 60+ years of AWRI research, Affinity Labs is a key food and beverage industry partner, enhancing Australia’s reputation as a world-class primary producer. Website: affinitylabs.com.au