Plant Protein Sprouting Roots In Alberta

In Lethbridge, Alberta, Canadian-based agri-food company PIP International is celebrating the opening of a new, nearly $16 million pea-processing pilot facility. Previously a mid-sized craft brewery, the facility, which was converted into a fully commercialized pea-processing and testing center. In partnership with the Canadian government, Alberta awarded PIP $789,975 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support engineering and the purchase of processing equipment for the pilot facility. “PIP appreciates ongoing government support that encourages further investment and growth in the agri-food industry,” said Christine Lewington, chief executive officer, 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.” As part of a two-phase project, the pilot facility is the first step in testing PIP’s new innovative extraction technology that will significantly improve the quality, purity and environmental impact of the protein isolates before scaling up production. 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. Phase 2 will establish a new $119 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 will create 100 new jobs, process about 126,000 tonnes of yellow peas annually and support more than $59 million in annual pea contracts for local and regional growers. “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,” said Nate Horner, Alberta 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.”