A new $20-million pea-processing pilot facility in Lethbridge, Alta. has been opened by PIP International, a Canadian-based agri-food company, a May 30 news release said.

“With demand for plant-based foods increasing globally, investing in PIP’s pilot facility is part of a larger strategy to grow and diversify Alberta’s emerging agri-food sector,” Nate Horner, provincial minister of agriculture, forestry and rural economic development, said in the release.

The facility was previously a mid-sized craft brewery and was converted into a fully commercialized pea processing and testing centre. It was funded with $1 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership from the provincial and federal governments. The funding was used to support engineering and the purchase of processing equipment for the pilot facility, the release said.

This the first phase of a two-phase project which will see PIP’s testing it’s new extraction technology. The report noted this technology is meant to improve the quality, purity and environmental impact of the protein isolates before scaling up production for the second phase of the project.

The second phase of the project will see PIP International establish a new $150-million yellow pea protein facility in Lethbridge. Once operational the facility will create 100 new jobs, process about 126,000 tonnes of yellow peas annually and support more than $75 million in annual pea contracts for local and regional growers, the release said.

“PIP appreciates ongoing government support that encourages further investment and growth in the agri-food industry. These funds were key to meeting fall 2022 protein isolate deliveries demanded by several plant-based multinational companies. Our pilot plant ensures the market will be ready and primed for the large production volumes of our UP.P protein isolate in 2023,” Christine Lewington, CEO of PIP International, said in the release.

The Alberta government, in partnership with its federal counterpart, awared $1 million to the company through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support engineering and the purchase of processing equipment for the facility, which was previously a mid-sized craft brewery (Coulee Brew). It has been converted into a fully commercialized pea processing and testing centre. CEO and founder of PIP, Christine Lewington said the company has purchased land and started construction on a larger facility also, but held off doing a large unveiling event. 

“I felt like we needed to have something that people could come and touch and feel and actually see the progress,” she said. “I figured a launch event at this milestone, further down the road, showed that we mean business. We got $20 million, we are spending that money here.”

She said work on the larger facility has slowed down, as this one will fulfill needs of early clients who are building a product portfolio using the pea protein.

The pilot facility is the first step in testing PIP’s new extraction technology that it says will significantly improve the quality, purity and environmental impact of the protein isolates before scaling up production.

Lewington said taste is an important part of the project.The technology has cracked the code on pea protein’s poor taste, colour, texture and compromised performance, according to a PIP news release. It said it can shift consumers’ enjoyment of plant-based foods.

“Having such a large food corridor here in southern Alberta, it’s that diversification that makes us strong and, so having a plant like this and with the expansions in the future, what that really speaks to me is jobs — high paying jobs — which is fantastic for our region,” said Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen.

Lewington said the pilot plant will create 17-25 full time jobs and the larger facility will provide up to 100. She said much of the process is automated, so they will be high-paying positions.

Hyggen said the facility will attract international attention and bring people to Lethbridge and could allow some post-secondary grads to find work in the community.

Lethbridge officially welcomed a new member to the city’s agri-food sector on Monday, with PIP International Inc. celebrating the launch of a new facility.

The wet fractionation pilot facility and commercial testing centre — located just off Highway 3 in east Lethbridge — will turn yellow peas from Alberta and Saskatchewan into plant-based products, like pea protein, starch and molasses.

“We are an ingredient supplier to the commercial,” PIP founder and CEO Christine Lewington said.

“We will most likely be over 90 per cent export until we get larger manufacturers in Canada that want it on this side of the border.”

Lewington believes pea protein can supplement traditional forms of the macronutrient while improving sustainability.

“Our pea protein takes one-sixth the amount of land and natural resources than it takes from how we usually gain our proteins,” Lewington said.

Provincial and municipal dignitaries were on hand for the kick-off. They say the facility adds to the local agriculture sector while opening the region to new opportunities.

“We are seeing issues with global food insecurity, so that’s why this particular opportunity is incredible,” Alberta’s transportation minister Rajan Sawhney said.

“Having such a large food corridor here in southern Alberta, it’s that diversification that makes us strong,” Lethbridge mayor Blain Hyggen added. “Having a plant like this with expansions in the future, what that really speaks to me is jobs, high paying jobs… which is fantastic for our region.”

“It’s a significant part of that diversification strategy,” Sawhney said. “There’s a value proposition here. Why else would this facility be here in place?”

PIP is currently constructing a second, larger wet fractionation protein processing facility in Lethbridge’s Sherring business and industrial park.

That facility has a forecasted annual capacity of roughly 126,000 metric tonnes.

PIP International, a Canadian-based agrifood company, is celebrating the opening of a new $20-million pea-processing pilot facility in Lethbridge.

In partnership with the federal government, Alberta’s government awarded PIP $1 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support engineering and the purchase of processing equipment for the pilot facility.

The facility, which was previously a mid-sized craft brewery, was converted into a fully commercialized pea processing and testing centre, say government officials.

As part of a two-phase project, the pilot facility is the first step in testing PIP’s new innovative extraction technology that is expected to significantly improve the quality, purity and environmental impact of the protein isolates before scaling up production.

“With Prairie farmers producing such a large percentage of Canada’s pulse crop, the opportunities to process these crops and create new, higher-value products closer to home are enormous,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “The Government of Canada’s investment in this innovative pilot facility will redefine plant-based protein for the region, support our economy and continue to position Canada as a global leader in sustainable production.”

“With demand for plant-based foods increasing globally, investing in PIP’s pilot facility is part of a larger strategy to grow and diversify Alberta’s emerging agri-food sector,” added Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. “PIP’s new pilot facility is a stepping stone to a larger investment that will create new jobs and help grow Alberta’s budding plant protein sector.”

Officials say the first phase of the project received funding through the Emerging Opportunities program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which supports strategic initiatives that contribute to significant sector growth and job creation in Alberta.

“I am thrilled that PIP International has chosen Lethbridge to call home for their pilot pea processing and future large-scale production facilities,” shared Blaine Hyggen, mayor, City of Lethbridge. “This kind of investment speaks to our city’s ability to attract big business and economy builders to the region while providing a stable and prosperous outlook for our future.”

Officials say Phase 2 will establish a new $150-million yellow pea protein facility in the heart of Canada’s premier food corridor in Lethbridge. Construction of the facility will begin in late 2022.

Once operational, the facility is anticipated to create 100 new jobs, process about 126,000 tonnes of yellow peas annually and support more than $75 million in annual pea contracts for local and regional growers.

“PIP appreciates ongoing government support that encourages further investment and growth in the agri-food industry,” stated Christine Lewington, CEO, PIP International. “These funds were key to meeting fall 2022 protein isolate deliveries demanded by several plant-based multinational companies. Our pilot plant ensures the market will be ready and primed for the large production volumes of our UP.P™ protein isolate in 2023.”

Alberta government quick facts

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
• Programs and activities are focused on:
  • growing trade and expanding markets
  • innovative and sustainable growth of the sector
  • supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector
• In Alberta, the Partnership has committed a federal-provincial investment of up to $406 million over five years towards strategic programs and services that are aligned to national objectives and tailored to priorities in Alberta.

Heather Sweet, NDP critic for Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Economic Development, made the following statement in response to the announcement of a pea-processing pilot facility in Lethbridge:

“Agriculture and agri-food are key to economic diversification.

“The UCP must do more to attract investment in value-added agriculture in Alberta. Just over a year ago, the UCP pulled all provincial funding from the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta, an Alberta organization whose focus was to help develop plant-protein processing in Alberta.

The Alliance championed Alberta’s plant-based products and if the UCP had not cut their funding, I am sure this province would be much further ahead in our development of value-added agriculture.

“Furthermore, the UCP are leaving farmers and workers in the agri-food sector behind as costs for utilities, fertilizer, feed, fuel, and insurance all increase. The UCP failed to support farmers through a difficult and dry season last year and have not provided a clear plan on how they have learned from this failure.

“An NDP government will value the role of innovation and value-added agriculture in diversifying Alberta’s economy and creating jobs across the province.”

The provincial government is putting more money into a new approach to food production that’s taking the industry by storm.

A $20-million plant protein facility, which began its life as a brewery, is now open in the city of Lethbridge. Canadian agrifood company PIP International operates the business that processes pea crops and tests new methods of harvesting them.

That company was awarded $1 million from the UCP government as part of its Emerging Opportunities program, to help create the facility.

Officials say the centre will provide a way for Canadian farmers, who are investing more and more of their time and effort into producing pulse crops, to create new and higher-value products “closer to home.”

“The Government of Canada’s investment in this innovative pilot facility will redefine plant-based protein for the region, support our economy and continue to position Canada as a global leader in sustainable production,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, the federal minister of agriculture and agri-food in a release.

Nate Horner, Alberta’s minister of agriculture, forestry and rural development, says the installation of the facility will create jobs and support economic diversity.

“With demand for plant-based foods increasing globally, investing in PIP’s pilot facility is part of a larger strategy to grow and diversify Alberta’s emerging agri-food sector. PIP’s new pilot facility is a stepping stone to a larger investment that will create new jobs and help grow Alberta’s budding plant protein sector,” he said.

This facility is just the first phase of agriculture investment in the Lethbridge area, officials say.

Later this year, construction on a $150-million yellow pea processing facility will begin in Lethbridge.

Once complete, it’s expected to process approximately 126,000 tonnes of yellow peas, support more than $75 million in annual contracts for growers and create 100 new jobs.