TRI calls for EOIs to commercialise tea wine manufacturing process

• Move follows successful pilot and receipt of patent 
• TRI intends to scale up product to a commercial level via technology transfer agreement with royalties
• Says capacity to undertake R&D will be advantageous for prospective companies

By Charumini de Silva

The Tea Research Institute (TRI) has called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from interested companies to commercialise the process of manufacturing tea wine.

TRI has successfully conducted pilot-scale manufacturing of tea wine, which is a unique and patented process based on traditional wine fermentation methods, producing a ‘dry red wine’ containing 12% alcohol, and is rich in its unique taste with medium body and soft tannings carrying pronounced tea aroma with the sweet smell 

of delicate black BOP.

The institute is the owner of said technology, including any underlying intellectual property/ies (IP) and commercialisation rights.

“TRI received process patent No.12621 for preparation of tea wine in 2006. We are keen to transfer the technology through non-exclusive or exclusive licence agreements with selected agencies, including the transfer of the technology through suitable agreements. 

We would like to now elevate our product from its current pilot scale to a more commercial level with a royalty to the institution,” TRI Manager – Technology Transfer Office Dr. M.A.B. Ranatunga told the Daily FT. 

He also said that TRI expects to expand the existing product and procedure with the prospective company, and the capacity to undertake R&D activities would be an advantage in the evaluation of EOIs.

Subject to the terms and conditions of an agreement, TRI will grant a non-exclusive or exclusive licence to a company or companies, a royalty-bearing right and licence to use and practice the technology and process (‘licensed technology’) to manufacture, sell and commercialise the product during the term of the agreement (‘licence’). 

The TRI will bear the right to choose the basis of agreement to be executed as ‘Non-Exclusive’ or ‘Exclusive’ and the decision shall be taken upon negotiations during the preliminary discussion with the shortlisted firms.

Dr. Ranatunga also pointed out that the TRI had already spoken to the Excise Department to assist the prospective company to obtain the production licence.

“TRI already got a number of inquiries regarding the project,” he said, adding that the deadline for prospective firms to apply is 30 January.