Sustainably producing hemp and canola ingredients
Ingredients
Consortium Contribution
$4,283,983
Cluster Contribution
$1,676,729
Blue Sky Hemp Ventures
Virtex Grain Exchange
Thar Process
Goal
To advance Canada’s protein processing technology, create new high-protein ingredients, and support the commercialization of hemp and canola ingredients.
Project Summary
Using cutting-edge, sustainable, solvent-free technology, combined with Blue Sky’s unique ‘whole plant utilization’ model, the partners will produce high-protein canola and hemp ingredients for applications in food products that are expected to have a negative carbon footprint.
The project focuses on demonstrating the commercial viability of this novel approach to recover the vast majority of oil without using potentially harmful chemicals such as hexane. By avoiding high temperatures and chemical treatments, the resultant meal can be fractionated into high-quality proteins and gluten-free flours at relatively low cost – all while sequestering CO2 through Blue Sky’s ‘whole plant utilization’ model. Working with strategic partners, the project will develop commercial-ready products customized for use in the alternative dairy, meats and baking sectors. This advancement of new canola and hemp processing will create new economic opportunities for Canada.
The project will scale up CO2 extraction technology, with the project lead, Blue Sky, working to improve the process by testing the oils and assessing the technical and economic impact from hemp and canola crop inputs.
Virtex processes and refines canola of which these processes are easily adaptable to hemp. Virtex has been working closely with Blue Sky for several years on refinery projects and will provide high-fat canola meal for further processing regarding protein extraction.
Thar will be providing the initial equipment for the project and will be working closely with Blue Sky to design a larger-scale system for deployment to large-scale oilseed crushing facilities as an economic alternative to current processes.
These developments are expected to open new markets for sustainable baking products, plant-based dairy and meat alternatives.
