Partnership to improve the functionality of legume-based ingredients

Companies come together to help raw materials reach new markets
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Nov. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Today, Protein Industries Canada announced an investment in a project to open new markets for legume-based proteins by increasing their functionality in high-volume ingredients. value.
Ingredion Inc., Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties (Canada) Inc., Verdient Foods Inc., T Base 4 Investments and OMD Food Products are teaming up to commercialize new technology that will improve the functionality of legume ingredients. Focusing initially on yellow peas, the partners will use physical processing techniques to transform products into ingredients that will be available to processors and food manufacturers in Canada and abroad.
“This innovative project is a great example of how the Protein Supercluster is playing an important role in modernizing the plant protein sector in Canada. Through this collaborative effort, these companies are demonstrating what it really means to be global innovation leaders by creating better-tasting ingredients for plant-based protein alternatives and new markets for pulse producers in the world. Canada, ”said the Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“The partnership announced today will help the plant protein sector stay at the cutting edge of agricultural innovation,” said the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will both add value to the crops of Canadian pulse producers and increase our exports.”
The project is expected to lead to the expansion of applications that will expand the markets for pulses by improving their functionality as ingredients in vegetable protein products. After processing the yellow peas, the partners plan to reorient their work towards products such as lentils, chickpeas, green peas and field beans. As it progresses, the project is expected to create up to 30 new jobs in Canada.
“The difference these partners are going to make in the lives of Canadians is incredible to consider,” said Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada. “From farmers who will have new markets for their crops, to processors who will have new ingredients to work with, to families who will have new products on their plates, everyone along the value chain will have something.” to watch. forward towards. This represents a real expansion and strengthening of the plant protein ecosystem.
A total of $ 25.7 million has been committed to the project, with partners investing $ 12.8 million and Protein Industries Canada committing an additional $ 12.8 million. The partners expect legume-based ingredients to be of interest to major food processors and manufacturers across Canada and in international markets, helping to increase investment in the Canadian economy and the plant protein sector.
“Ingredion is excited to advance its specialty strategy by providing high-quality ingredients that meet consumer preferences for sustainable, plant-based alternatives,” said Beth Tormey, vice president of plant protein at Ingredion. “Protein Industries Canada’s contribution will accelerate our work by enabling the use of new technologies and innovations to create a more inclusive and sustainable food system. By partnering with other members of the consortium, we will produce the next generation of ingredients that can be used by food manufacturers in Canada and globally. The development of our first products is underway and we anticipate that these efforts will benefit food manufacturers through continued innovation and investment. “
“Ingredion looks forward to partnering with industry leaders in the consortium to produce high-value, sustainable ingredients and contribute to the global expansion of Canada’s role in plant-based protein,” said Jorgen Kokke, vice -Executive Chairman and President of Ingredion, Americas. “This project complements our legume-based protein portfolio, aligns with our growth strategy and accelerates our ability to deliver consumer-preferred foods and beverages to global markets. “
“The Verdient Foods team is thrilled to be part of such a critical project to bring new plant-based ingredients to a global market,” said Blair Knippel, former Managing Director of Verdient Foods and Senior Advisor to ‘IPBPS and Ingredion Incorporated. “Protein Industries Canada’s contributions will directly lead to continuous improvements in Vanscoy’s manufacturing capabilities. The project consolidates Verdient Foods’ original vision, which is to position itself as a key contributor to the plant protein movement and a leader in the production of sustainable food ingredients.
“We share a common vision with Protein Industries Canada and with our valued partner, Ingredion, a leading provider of ingredient solutions,” said Verdient co-founder James Cameron. “This shared vision is to create a wide range of sustainable vegetable proteins and herbal products to meet the explosive growth in demand. Our goal is to add value to Canada, rather than just shipping megatonnes overseas at commodity prices. To create jobs and increase our GDP.
“OMD’s mission is to shine the spotlight on the food industry and celebrate a new way of approaching food and nutrition,” said Suzy Amis Cameron, Founder of OMD. “Plant-based foods and beverages improve not only our health, but also the health of the planet. In collaboration with Ingredion, the PIC project offers OMD the opportunity to bring new plant-based food products to a wider consumer market, one meal at a time.
With this being his 12e Project announcement, Protein Industries Canada and industry together invested approximately $ 272 million in plant protein technology projects. Protein Industries Canada is currently accepting its third round of expressions of interest for its technology and capacity building programs.
For more information:
Miranda Burski
Protein Industries Canada
Regina, SK
306-581-1340
[email protected]
About Ingredion’s vegetable protein specialties (Canada), Inc.
Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties (Canada), Inc., a member of the Ingredion group of companies, is located in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, and manufactures legume-based ingredients with enhanced functionality.
About Ingrédion Inc.
Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), headquartered in suburban Chicago, is a leading global provider of ingredient solutions serving customers in more than 120 countries. With annual net sales of over $ 6 billion in 2019, the company transforms grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage markets. , animal nutrition, brewing and industry. With Ingredion Idea Labs innovation centers around the world and more than 11,000 employees, the company co-creates with its customers and fulfills its goal of bringing together the potential of people, nature and technology to make better life.
On Verdant
Located in the heart of Canada’s pulse growing region, Verdient Foods Inc.’s operation in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan naturally turns pulses into ingredients for food manufacturers and industrialists.
About MDG food products
OMD Food Products Corp. is the Canadian manufacturing arm of Suzy Amis Cameron’s “One Meal a Day for the Planet” global movement. OMD envisions the health, animal and environmental benefits of global citizens eating at least one plant-based meal per day.