Protein Industries Canada backs partnership to develop new soybean products

Protein Industries Canada is investing in a new partnership that will develop and commercialise soybean protein ingredients.

The initiative has seen Canada Protein Ingredients – Ingrédients Protéiques du Canada (CPI-IPC), DJ Hendrick International, Agrocorp Processing, Semences Prograin and Synthesis Network join forces with the aim of producing clean label protein ingredients from Canadian-grown soybeans.

CPI-IPC and the consortium members have committed around CAD 20 million (approx. $16 million) to the project, with Protein Industries Canada to contribute CAD 7.3 million (approx. $5.8 million).

The partners will collaborate to develop a proprietary process for producing soybean protein ingredients and soybean oil that comply with non-GM and organic labelling standards.

Semences Prograin will develop and test non-GM soybean varieties that are optimised for Canada’s growing conditions. Meanwhile, DJ Hendrick International and Agrocorp Processing will assist in developing and testing the new end products, as well as in marketing them to international markets.

CPI-IPC will process the soybean crops at a new facility in Canada, which is expected to break ground in the next 18 months.

“This investment enables Canada Protein Ingredients to meet growing global demands with completely made-in-Canada products,” said CPI CEO Jim Millington.

“There is currently no soybean protein isolate or concentrate manufacturing capacity in Canada, despite soybeans being a major crop for farmers. CPI is poised to commercialise Canadian science, further process Canadian soybeans and respond to a global market hungry for plant-based protein.”

Together with industry, Protein Industries Canada says that it has committed more than CAD 347 million to the country’s plant protein sector, with previous investments including a project to improve the functionality of pulse-based ingredients.

“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, Canada’s 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.”

Protein Industries Canada CEO, Bill Greuel, added: “Helping Canada rise from being a commodity supplier to a world-renowned supplier of plant-based ingredients is part of Protein Industries Canada’s mission. This project is yet another step we take in that direction. Harnessing the potential of new crop varieties developed and grown in Canada generates more opportunities across our entire value chain, from farmers to food manufacturers.”