Protein Industries Canada and partners invest $31M in high-protein canola and sunflower products

Protein Industries Canada has announced a $31 million venture with Corteva Agriscience, Botaneco, Bunge, Rainfed Foods and Northeast Nutrition Inc.

Protein Industries Canada will invest $13.4 million in the project to support the commercialization of high-protein canola meal for use across aquaculture, feed and food sectors. Additionally, it aims to enhance sunflower protein characteristics for plant-based food applications.

“This revolutionary project will transform the canola value chain, fostering increased value for Canadians and cementing Canada’s status as a global leader,” said Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada.

With support from Bunge and Northeast Nutrition, Corteva and Botaneco will lead the collaborative efforts to introduce and test canola meal in end-use feed rations.

“Transforming meal into a high-protein product not only supports profitability for Canadian farmers but also amplifies downstream benefits for every canola seed planted,” said Tyler Groeneveld, North America director of grains and oils for Corteva.

In partnership with Corteva, Bunge will produce high-protein canola meals for feeding studies and consumer sampling. The goal is to bolster commercial acceptance and augment the nutritional value of end-use products.

“The significance of projects like this cannot be overstated. They are instrumental in positioning Canada as a sustainable food and feed production leader,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “By harnessing higher-quality feed and food ingredients from canola and sunflower meal, we are paving the way for new economic opportunities and job creation for Canadians.”

Bolstering agricultural value chains in Canada

The project builds upon the groundwork laid by a prior initiative led by Corteva, which successfully developed the genetic platform for high-protein, reduced-fibre canola germplasm. The focus now shifts towards commercialization and market acceptance of high-protein canola meal, particularly in feed applications for non-ruminant livestock, including farmed aquaculture fish.

“Investments like these in high-protein canola and sunflower meal are essential for bolstering our agricultural value chains and unlocking new prospects for Canadian crops,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Further diversifying the project scope, Botaneco will scale up their Alofin canola protein concentrate production alongside prototyping Purezome sunflower and canola-based oleosomes and sunflower protein isolates.

“We are excited to collaborate with our partners to expedite the path to commercialization and deliver cutting-edge solutions to the sector,” said James Szarko, CEO of Botaneco.

Northeast Nutrition will conduct trials with Botaneco’s Alofin canola protein in aquafeed formulations. At the same time, Rainfed Foods will incorporate Botaneco’s Purezome sunflower oil bodies and protein isolates in its alternative milk products, enhancing its nutritional profile.

“As a Canadian aquafeed manufacturer, we are eager to explore new high-protein products sourced from plant crops grown domestically,” said Alan Donkin, nutrition manager at Northeast Nutrition Inc.