Protein Industries Canada has forged a new partnership that will develop and commercialise soybean protein ingredients in Canada.
The $27.3 million project will result in an innovative proprietary process to produce high-quality and highly sought-after soybean protein ingredients and soybean oil that comply with non-GM and Organic labelling standards.
Canada Protein Ingredients (CPI-IPC) will process the crops at a brand-new, first-of-its-kind facility in Canada, expected to break ground in the next 18 months.
“The project being announced today is a clear example of how the Protein Industries Supercluster is supporting the plant-based protein industry, creating new opportunities for industry and providing more options for consumers in Canada and around the world,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“The Supercluster is playing a key role in connecting the right partners, who together have the potential to access untapped opportunities in the plant protein market.”
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said: “This collaboration shows the results we are achieving with the Protein Supercluster, helping to position our agriculture sector as a global leader of innovation,” said The Honourable
Semences Prograin will develop and test new non-GM soybean varieties optimized for Canada’s growing conditions, while DJ Hendrick International and Agrocorp Processing will assist in developing, testing and marketing the new end products to international markets.
This will add increased value across the Canadian agri-food value chain; farmers will receive premiums for growing specialty crops, and food manufacturers will benefit from a local source of plant-based protein ingredients that currently can only be imported.
Plans for the upcoming processing facility are currently at a site selection stage. Once completed, the commercial plant will process 25,000 MT of crops per year, with the potential to increase capacity and expand to other crops, following the growing demand for clean-label plant-based protein products.
A total of $27.3 million is being invested in the project: approximately $20 million committed by CPI-IPC and the consortium members will be met by $7.3 million from Protein Industries Canada.
The partnership is comprised of Canada Protein Ingredients Ltd. – Ingrédients Protéiques du Canada Ltée (CPI-IPC), DJ Hendrick International, Agrocorp Processing, Semences Prograin and Synthesis Network.
