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How an increase in plant protein processing is leading to innovative starch and fibre use

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The growing demand for protein options around the world has led to an increase in innovative ingredient development in Canada. With this increase in protein ingredients, however, comes an increase in their co-products, such as starches and fibres. Supporting innovation in their use is an important element in not only strengthening Canada’s ingredient manufacturing, food processing and bioproducts sector, but also in helping it become more sustainable.

The idea of using starches and fibres certainly isn’t new to many companies. BioNeutra, for example, has used starch derived from corn and tapioca as their primary ingredients since the company’s launch in 2003. This allowed them to create low-calorie sweeteners with fibres built in, a combination in high demand among their customers.

As Canada’s alternative protein sector grew, however, so did BioNeutra’s opportunity to begin utilizing starch derived from crops grown here at home.

“With the advent of the plant-based protein industry in North America, and the much wider availability of plant-based starch here in North America, we’re looking repatriating production in large-scale production in North America,” BioNeutra Chief Operating Officer Steve Jakeway said.

VitaFiber powder from BioNeutra. Photo provided by BioNeutra.

BioNeutra recently partnered with Roquette in a Protein Industries Canada project aimed at supporting the development of the new pea starch ingredients, as well as a variety of other ingredients and food products with other project partners Prairie Fava and Plant Up. This new level of collaboration, Jakeway said, felt like a natural progression in BioNeutra’s work in its starch innovation.

“The collaboration with pea and others in the North American sphere is kind of organic,” he said. “The availability, through the plant-based industry, particularly yellow pea … and the wet processing allows us to have very high-quality starch. We’ve kind of grown hand-in-hand with that industry; as it’s become more available, we’re taking a look at different options for our material.”

After initially focusing on starches derived from non-protein crops, this move toward protein-derived starch has given BioNeutra a new footing in the ingredient market. With pea being a widely available crop in Canada, it means BioNeutra has a reliable source for their products that doesn’t need to be imported, making it more sustainable both economically and environmentally.

It also sets them apart from their competitors—a characteristic Jakeway said is important to any company looking to find its place in the growing ingredient market.

“Find something that’s unique, find something where you have a niche market to play, and if you can use ingredients that allow you to have a differentiation in the market, or a different marketing story, so much the better,” Jakeway said.

As companies like BioNeutra continue to invest in protein’s co-products, Canada’s ingredient manufacturing, food processing and bioproducts sector will continue to grow, helping it reach its $25 billion potential.

Featured interviewee

Steve Jakeway Provided By Bio Neutra

Steve Jakeway

Chief Operating Officer

BioNeutra