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Developing hemp and sunflower protein ingredients

Technology
Technology Leadership Priority

Ingredients

PROJECT TIMELINE
February 2024 to March 2026
PROJECT STATUS
Fund II: In progress
TOTAL INVESTMENT
$6,926,037

Consortia Contribution
$3,863,320

Cluster Contribution
$3,062,717

Partners

Catalyst Development Inc.

Burcon NutraScience

HPS Food & Ingredients

Puratos Canada

Goal

To create first-in-market ingredients that are nutritious, sustainable and flavour-neutral protein options for food and beverage companies and consumers.

Project Summary

Prioritizing functionality and taste, Burcon is increasing the value of each hemp and sunflower flour by extracting hemp protein isolate, sunflower protein isolate and sunflower protein concentrate.

HPS is assessing hemp crop varieties to determine which are best suited for the new ingredients, while also developing, commercializing and scaling the technology needed to process the hemp into the new ingredients.

Further along the value chain, Puratos and Burcon will each focus on using the hemp and sunflower ingredients in new food and beverage products, particularly baking applications, beverages and meat alternatives.

Following the hemp and sunflower work, Catalyst Development Inc. joined the consortium in mid-2025. The crop in focus shifted to canola, with the intent to commercialize a high-value, high-purity canola protein isolate, upcycled from cold-pressed canola meal for use in a range of food, beverage and health products.

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