hemp

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Protein

Protein Industries Canada Announces $6.9M Project for Novel Hemp and Sunflower Protein Ingredients

Protein Industries Canada unveils a new initiative aimed at bolstering the nation’s supply of protein-rich ingredients derived from hemp and sunflower. This venture, backed by a collaboration with Burcon NutraScience, HPS Food & Ingredients, and Puratos Canada, aims to bolster the supply of plant-based protein ingredients in Canada and offer food manufacturers an expanded array of protein alternatives focused on both functionality and taste. This project is notable in its approach to acknowledging the applications of hemp and sunflower flour, through which Burcon seeks to extract hemp protein isolate, sunflower protein isolate, and sunflower protein concentrate. These ingredients, novel to the market, are anticipated to cater to the needs of food and beverage manufacturers striving to provide Canadian consumers with nutritious, sustainable, and flavor-neutral protein …

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Merit's facility

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Investments & Acquisitions

Plant Protein in Canada: Burcon to Acquire Merit Functional Foods from Receiver

Burcon NutraScience has announced plans to submit a formal proposal to acquire the Canadian plant protein processor Merit Functional Foods business, which went into receivership on March 1, 2023.  Burcon, Merit’s technology partner owning a 31.6% share, said in a statement that it remains actively engaged in discussions with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the financially distressed company appointed receiver.   Merit was established in 2019 as a joint venture to enable the next generation of plant-based foods and beverages. In February 2021, after two years of its announcement, the company officially opened its pea and canola protein plant in Winnipeg, deploying Burcon’s patented technology.  Bunge Corporation acquired a 25% stake in mid-2020 to expedite the completion of the protein facility. At the time, Merit also secured a debt financing package of up to …

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Merit new Facility

Merit Foods facility, Image: Business Wire

Company News

Justin Trudeau Announces $100M for Canadian Plant-Based Industry, Will Produce “World’s Highest Purity and Highest Quality” Proteins to “Redefine Plant Protein”

The Canadian government has announced financing of almost $100 million for Merit Functional Foods, a producer of plant protein, for its previously announced new Winnipeg facility which will reportedly produce the world’s highest purity and highest quality pea and canola protein. Merit’s CEO states the facility will “redefine plant protein”.

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