Government of Canada Investment Helps Strengthen Canada’s Agri-Food and Biofuel Industries
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2013
Government of Canada Investment Helps Strengthen Canada’s Agri-Food and Biofuel Industries
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — POS Pilot Plant will be the first commercial organization in Canada to offer short-path distillation (SPD) services, on a contract basis, to its clients, thanks to federal funding announced today by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Member of Parliament for Battlefords—Lloydminster and Minister of Agriculture, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
A federal investment of $450,000, through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), will help the POS Pilot Plant to purchase and install short-path distillation (SPD) equipment, which purifies ingredients from plant feedstock. Applications for these ingredients relate to the agri-food, biofuels, functional foods and nutraceutical industries.
“Our Government is committed to partnering with industry on projects which lead to new product development, business expansion and increased global exports,” said Minister Ritz. “This equipment will provide western Canadian companies with unparalleled access to ingredients only available through a short path distillation process.”
Short path distillation separates specific substances, or fractions, from the feedstock by a process of evaporation and condensation. The name ‘short path’ refers to the length of the path travelled by the distillate between the vaporized and condensed stages.
Commercial-scale SPD equipment will enable POS to offer additional services to clients seeking ingredients, such as essential oils, which can be purified by this process. POS clients are also keen to separate edible oils into highly unsaturated and saturated fractions. The unsaturated fractions may be Omega-3 fatty acids, for higher value functional food and nutraceutical markets.
“Commercial scale short path distillation equipment in POS would be the first of its kind in Canada,” says Dr. Rick Green, VP, Technology, at POS Bio-Sciences. “Small and medium sized businesses in Western Canada will benefit by finally being able to export value added extracts from feedstock grown in Western Canada. For example, several companies in Western Canada have products ready for export but need commercial scale SPD equipment to realize their potential. This project, generously supported by Western Economic Diversification and the agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (AGS) will help Canadians capture those opportunities.”
With access to key ingredients, Canadian companies will be able to develop new products and gain entry to new markets. Greater value-added processing of local grains, fruits and other prairie plants will result in a stronger, more competitive Canadian agricultural sector.
The Ag Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) is also contributing $443,000 to the project. A membership based organization ACS is a leader in Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector and aims to position the province’s agriculture and agri-food industries on the leading edge of domestic and global marketplaces.
Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.
– 30 –
For additional information, contact:
Jerra Kosick
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: 613-954-8097
[email protected]
Kevin Hall
Manager, Business Development
POS Pilot Plant
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-978-2800
Email: [email protected]
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD or Follow us on Twitter.
A stronger West. A stronger Canada