First Protein Supercluster to improve crop technologies

Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that the Protein Supercluster, a pan-prairie initiative, passed a major milestone with the selection of its first project, designed to focus on advancements in technologies to improve oil and protein ingredient values in canola and hemp.

Bains spoke at Botaneco, a Calgary-based innovative, oilseed ingredient manufacturer with novel plant-based separation and purification technology for food, feed, and personal care. Botaneco is partnering with Corteva Canada and Rowland Farms to develop novel processing technology for canola and hemp crops to produce new, higher value oil and protein products. This research will have benefits for Canadian processors by increasing the highly valuable recoverable protein while reducing lower value co-products. Ultimately, it will lead to the commercialization of new plant-based ingredient products for the food ingredient, livestock feed and aquaculture markets.

The Supercluster Initiative, part of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, takes a new approach to accelerate economic growth by creating hubs of global competitive advantage. This long-term program is making investments in five major hubs across the country, which are expected to create 50,000 jobs and contribute $50 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next ten years.

Published by Food in Canada

Written by Christina Manocchio