Protein Industries Canada has announced a new project to advance the development of pea and fava protein ingredients and food products.
The consortium, including Lovingly Made Flour Mills, TMRW Foods, and Dutton Farms, will focus on optimizing ingredient processing and developing new meat alternative products.
“Projects like this are expanding the supply and diversity of plant-based products both here in Canada and abroad”
A total of $7.7 million has been committed to the project, with Protein Industries Canada investing $3.3 million. The project aims to add value to Canadian pea and fava crops, creating a value-chain feedback loop that benefits ingredient processors, food manufacturers, and consumers.
This effort is expected to improve the affordability, nutrition, and consistency of end products, strengthening the domestic ingredient manufacturing industry and capturing new economic opportunities for Canada.
Resilient supply chains
“Canada is proud to support Protein Industries Canada as it continues to work with industry to develop new uses for protein ingredients while fostering strong and resilient supply chains in Canada. Projects like this are expanding the supply and diversity of plant-based products both here in Canada and abroad while supporting an increased selection of healthy, sustainable food options for consumers,” stated the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Globally, fava bean and pea ingredients are gaining traction, with companies such as Schouten Europe, Agrifirm, Nukoko, and Roquette exploring their applications in plant-based products. The pea protein market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.9%, reaching $7 billion by 2031, driven by its versatility in applications such as meat and dairy alternatives, supplements, and sports nutrition products. As demand increases, Canada is positioning itself as a key supplier.
“Canada is a leader in agricultural innovation, and we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our food supply chain. […] Investments in developing crop varieties and improving processing methods for plant-based foods will get more value back to our farmers and food processors while giving folks the opportunity to try new ingredients,” commented the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Collaborative efforts as key
Dutton Farms will collaborate with Lovingly Made to identify the best pea and fava varieties for processing and extrusion in order to optimize Lovingly Made’s processing methods and develop new texturized vegetable protein ingredients. TMRW Foods will then test these ingredients and use Dutton Farms’ varieties to extrude its protein ingredients for new meat alternative products for Canadian and international markets.
Founded in 2018 by Meatless Farms, Lovingly Made is one of Canada’s leading dry fractionation plants, specializing in the transformation of pulse crops into high-quality food ingredients. Last year, Protein Powered Farms, the owner and operator of Canada’s largest plant protein extraction facility, acquired Lovingly Made from UK plant-based meat brand Meatless Farm, which was acquired by VFG this time last year after facing bankruptcy.
The owner of Dutton Farms, Vicki Dutton, commented, “The Protein Industries Canada research project is a significant milestone for Dutton Farms, enabling us to concentrate on increasing yield, protein, and seed quality. These factors are crucial for the profitability of fava bean production for farmers and hold immense potential for the plant food industry, promising a future of more nutritious and sustainable food options.”
Bringing increased value to Canadian crops
Recently, Protein Industries Canada announced another $24.5 million project with Roquette, Prairie Fava, BioNeutra, and Plant Up, focusing on pea and fava beans to develop new ingredients and applications.
CEO of Protein Industries Canada, Bill Greuel, concluded, “By focusing on developing and better utilizing pea and fava ingredients, partners Lovingly Made Flour Mills, TMRW Foods, and Dutton Farms are bringing increased value to two key Canadian protein crops.
“This value will only build as the ingredients make their way into finished food products and reach international markets, helping Canada achieve its $25 billion opportunity in plant-based food, ingredients, and bioproducts.”
