Protein Industries Canada partners global leaders to launch US$17M soy powder project in Ontario
CANADA – Protein Industries Canada has announced a C$23.9 million (UDS$17.03 million) collaboration with Alinova Canada Inc., Marusan Ai Co., Earth’s Own Foods, and Flamaglo Foods to develop and commercialize a new soy powder.
The initiative aims to transform Canada’s soybean processing capabilities and expand its presence in the global plant-based protein market.
Protein Industries Canada, a nonprofit organization and one of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters, is dedicated to increasing the value of key crops such as canola, wheat, and pulses.
The organization supports The Road to C$25 Billion, a national initiative to generate C$25 billion in annual sales from plant-based food and ingredients by 2035.
The new project, spearheaded by Alinova Canada, a joint venture between DJ Hendrick International Inc. (DJHII) and Marusan Ai Co., builds on DJHII’s earlier Protein Industries Canada initiative, which evaluated the feasibility of establishing a commercial soy powder processing plant in Eastern Canada.
A pilot-scale facility for soy powder production is slated for construction in Morrisburg, Ontario, a region renowned for high soy production.
According to Protein Industries Canada, the location provides strategic advantages for efficient development and market testing.
During the construction phase, Earth’s Own Foods and Flamaglo Foods will evaluate small batches of the soy milk powder for use in products destined for Canadian grocery shelves.
Once operational, Alinova Canada and Marusan Ai plan to expand the facility’s capacity to test the powder’s commercial viability in Japan, a key international market.
“Canada’s agriculture sector has a strong reputation for high-quality crops, and we can build on this by bringing the processing of those crops back home to Canadian soil,” said Kassandra Quayle, CFO of Protein Industries Canada.
He added that value-added processing and whole-seed utilization will secure the company’s position as a leading supplier of high-value ingredients and food products, while providing families in Canada and around the world with new high-quality protein options.
The project represents a major shift for Canada’s soy industry, which currently exports most of its crop for processing abroad.
By processing soybeans domestically, Canada stands to increase the value of its agricultural production and enhance its global competitiveness in the plant-based protein market.
David Hendrick, executive vice president of Alinova Canada, emphasized the importance of local partnerships:
“Exporting food-grade, non-GMO whole soybeans from eastern Ontario has been a long-standing tradition with rewards for producers and exporters alike. Now we have a chance to take that pride and reward to the next level: a made-in-Canada ingredient.”
Hendrick noted that, they intend to build on relationships with growers in eastern Ontario, their soy milk partner in Japan, and the two Canadian soy food formulators joining this initiative to make this manufacturing company a reality for Morrisburg and a contributor to our community well-being.
Global collaboration, opportunities
Japan, where Marusan Ai is the second-largest soy milk producer, is set to become a key market for the soy powder.
Protein Industries Canada highlighted that the project could unlock significant economic opportunities for Canada while addressing growing demand for plant-based protein worldwide.
“In Japan, we recognize the importance of plant protein for the well-being of global consumers,” said Hiroyuki Inagaki, president of Alinova Canada.
“With our Canadian partner, DJHII, we aim to mitigate the risk of global shortages by collaborating with eastern Ontario non-GMO soybean growers and Canadian plant protein formulation partners. Together, we will create a novel made-in-Canada soy milk powder ingredient with diverse food product applications.”
The Morrisburg facility is expected to open in early 2026, serving as a milestone in Canada’s journey to becoming a global leader in plant-based protein innovation.
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