Protein Industries Canada

Overview

Protein Industries Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming Canada's agriculture and food production sectors. It collaborates with private sector industry partners to create co-investment projects that have the potential to position Canada as a global leader in the production of plant-based products and co-products. The organization is one of Canada's five innovation Superclusters, working to increase the value of key Canadian crops such as canola, wheat, and pulses, and serving growing markets in North America, Asia, and Europe for plant-based meat alternatives and new food products. The organization's strategy involves bringing together partners across the value chain, from seed genetics to farmers, ingredient and food processors, and consumers. It embraces new technology to improve the sustainability and traceability of food from field to fork. Protein Industries Canada focuses on four key areas: genetics, crops, ingredients, and products. These areas aim to develop germplasm that improves processing efficiency, quality, and sensory characteristics; use smart and sustainable production methods to increase farm productivity; advance the development, scaling, and optimization of plant-based ingredients; and convert Canadian-made ingredients and co-products into consumption-ready goods. Protein Industries Canada has a track record of supporting the development of a healthy and self-sustaining innovation ecosystem. It nurtures a membership network that spans the country, offering networking and capacity-building activities as well as unique collaborative initiatives. The organization also offers reskilling programs to engage Indigenous and underrepresented groups into Canada's agrifood sector and training programs in collaboration with post-secondary institutions across Canada. Through its Centre for Regulatory Research and Innovation, Protein Industries Canada helps members and other industry players navigate regulatory issues, create a repository of regulatory knowledge, and bridge the conversation with regulators to support the commercialization and competitiveness of innovative products and processes.

Investment Focus

• Focus on plant-based products and co-products
• Emphasis on sustainability and traceability
• Collaboration across the agriculture and food production value chain
• Engagement with Indigenous and underrepresented groups
• Alignment with Canada's innovation Superclusters initiative

Portfolio Companies