HOPA Ports Marks Opening Of New Sucro Can Canada Sugar Refinery

(Credit: HOPA Ports)

HAMILTON — Sucro Can Canada and HOPA Ports marked the official opening of Sucro Can’s new sugar refinery, located at Pier 15 in the Port of Hamilton.

According to a press release from HOPA Ports, the project reportedly represents years of partnership at the Port of Hamilton. Sucro Can first established operations at the port with its initial building lease at Pier 10 in 2014, marking the company’s entry into Hamilton as its Canadian refining base. Building on that foundation, an agreement for the new refinery at Pier 15 was finalized in 2023, setting the stage for the next phase of growth.

Construction of the new refinery began in April 2024 and was completed in April 2026, reportedly delivering new industrial capacity, purpose‑built for long‑term growth, and supply‑chain reliability.

“The facility is supported by HOPA’s investments in multimodal port infrastructure and a financing partnership that enabled the project to advance on an accelerated timeline,” said Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports. “This is a clear example of how public private partnerships in trade-enabling infrastructure can unlock significant private sector capital.”

Located near key food manufacturing sector supply chain partners and customers, the refinery’s strategic location reportedly allows Sucro Can to efficiently receive raw sugar by vessel and distribute refined products to food manufacturers across Ontario, Quebec, and the U.S. Midwest.

“For our team, completing this refinery is a proud milestone,” said Jonathan Taylor, Founder and CEO of Sucro Can Canada. “We built this facility to serve customers reliably over the long term. As sugar opportunities continue to emerge, this refinery provides a leading Canadian‑based supply alternative that gives food manufacturers greater certainty, choice, and confidence in their supply chains, while creating skilled jobs here in Hamilton.”

According to the press release, the refinery will gradually increase volumes year over year, receiving up to 10 vessels during its first year of full operations in 2026, increasing to approximately 14 vessels in 2027, with continued expansion as additional systems come online.

“The refinery has also strengthened supply-chain confidence across the region, a catalyst to food-processing companies making new investments and expanding operations,” added Hamilton.

The facility currently employs approximately 65 skilled workers, with employment expected to grow as additional processing systems come online. Operations include the production of dry and liquid refined sugar, packaged in industrial formats for food manufacturing customers.

The launch of Sucro Can’s new refinery marks a long-term investment in Canadian infrastructure, reinforcing domestic processing capacity and the company’s attempts to grow in North America.