Protein Industries Canada has launched a new project with Alinova Canada, Marusan Ai, Earth’s Own Foods, and Flamaglo Foods to create new opportunities for Canadian-grown and -processed soy.
These initiatives aim to increase soy processing in Canada. They will also boost international market opportunities for Canadian soy products.
Alinova Canada, a joint venture between DJ Hendrick International (DJHII) and Marusan Ai, a soymilk producer and vendor in Japan, will lead the partners in developing and commercialising a new soy powder.
This follows DJHII’s Protein Industries Canada project, where initial partners explored the feasibility of a commercial soy powder processing plant in Eastern Canada.
The new project will build a pilot-scale facility in Ontario, a key soy-producing region. The location and operation of the facility will enable efficient product development and market testing, with a particular focus on Japan.
According to Protein Industries Canada, bringing soy processing to Canada will add value to the country’s soy crop, which is mainly exported for processing abroad. The project will also open new economic opportunities for Canada and enhance its global competitiveness.
Protein Industries Canada chief financial officer Kassandra Quayle said: “Canada’s agriculture sector has a strong reputation for high-quality crops, and we can build on this by bringing the processing of those crops back home to Canadian soil.
“Value-added processing and whole-seed utilization here at home will secure our position as a leading supplier of high-value ingredients and food products, while providing families here in Canada, and around the world with a new selection of high-quality protein options.”
While the pilot-scale facility is being built, Earth’s Own and Flamaglo Foods will test small batches of the new soymilk powder in products for Canadian grocery store shelves.
Once the facility is operational, Alinova Canada and Marusan Ai will expand processing capacity and test the product’s commercial viability in Japan.
The project has received a total investment of $23.9m, with Protein Industries Canada contributing $6.7m and the partners covering the rest.
Alinova Canada executive vice president David Hendrick said: “Exporting food-grade non-GMO whole soybeans from Eastern Ontario has been a long-standing tradition with rewards for producers and exporters alike.”
Recently, Protein Industries Canada and Innovate UK launched collaborative research and development (R&D) projects as part of a bilateral partnership between Canada and the UK.
