Project to develop new high protein food, feed ingredients

Canadian "supercluster" invests $8 million to create new canola and hemp processing techniques, including novel ingredients for animal feed and aquaculture.

In late June, Protein Industries Canada announced its first investment into an innovative project with the potential to transform the plant protein sector in Canada. A total of $8 million, comprised of $4 million of co-investment from Protein Industries Canada and $4 million from the industry, will be invested into the project over the next two years.

Led by Botaneco Inc., in partnership with Corteva Canada and Rowland Farms, the project will work to commercialize a new processing technology that will yield a variety of new oil and protein products. Using crops such as canola and hemp, the project will introduce new high-protein ingredients into the global food, feed and aquaculture markets, the announcement said.

“This is an exciting day for Protein Industries Canada as we make our first project investment,” Protein Industries Canada chief executive officer Bill Greuel said. “This represents a significant milestone as a 'supercluster,' and we are thrilled to have worked with the consortium and co-invest into a project that will drive innovative processing and bring new opportunities for feed and food manufacturers.”

This project has the potential to open new markets for new functional, natural and clean-label canola and hemp products, the group said. Securing new markets with high-value products will contribute to a more robust processing sector while creating jobs in manufacturing, food science applications and commercial leadership.

“Botaneco is very excited about the potential of our novel oilseed processing platform,” Botaneco CEO James Szarko said. “The Protein Industries Canada co-investment will allow us to expand our internal research capacity and contribute to the building of a prairie proteins ecosystem with our consortia partners and key public research institutions. This investment will greatly accelerate our development timelines, opening new high-value markets for Canadian oilseed crops.”

Corteva North American commercial grains and oils leader Tyler Groeneveld said the company is "excited about new high-value markets and unlocking untapped value in feed, food and consumer care, providing a model in Canadian agriculture for value-chain partnerships."

Protein Industries Canada’s first call for proposals closed June 28, but a second call for projects is open until Sept. 13.

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five superclusters, which were created to position Canada as a leading global source of sustainable, high-quality plant protein and plant-based co-products. Over the next four years, Protein Industries Canada will invest up to $153 million, made available by the government of Canada’s Innovation Superclusters Initiative.

Botaneco, based in Calgary, Alb., was formed in 2014 to commercialize an innovative oilseed processing technology platform. The company strategy brings a novel approach to producing new lipid and protein products designed to sell for higher values and to open new markets for Canadian oilseed crops.