Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, have announced a new bilateral partnership to advance connectivity between the two countries’ food sectors.
Through the collaboration, Canada and the UK say they will work together to support the innovation of plant-based foods and ingredients.
“Our government is proud to announce a strategic partnership between Protein Industries Canada and Innovate UK to drive innovation in the plant-based food and ingredients sector.”
According to the PIC, the UK is a “natural partner” because of Canada’s position as a top grower and processor of high-protein crops and plant-based ingredients. Canada said it could help UK companies supply the ingredients they need to make healthy plant-based foods, giving Canadian companies access to new markets, research and customers.
Meeting in Ottawa
The partnership was officially launched on June 7 with a webinar, introducing UK and Canadian companies to the opportunities and benefits of cross-country collaboration. The initiative continued last week, when Canadian Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne met with UK Science Minister George Freeman in Ottawa to deepen discussions on the issue.
This fall, a delegation of UK businesses led by Innovate UK will attend the Protein Industries Canada Conference and AGM in September, where there will be a matchmaking event. Instead, a delegation of Canadian companies sponsored by the PIC will visit the UK in late September.
“Ready to transform the landscape”
“Our government is proud to announce a strategic partnership between Protein Industries Canada and Innovate UK that is advancing innovation in the plant-based food and ingredients sector,” said the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “This collaboration represents an important step toward not only building a sustainable future, but also improving environmental and human health and improving the economy. These visionary companies are poised to transform the landscape of the plant-based food industry, ushering in a new era of global partnerships.”
Leading alt-protein
Thanks to substantial production of plant-based crops and ingredients, Canada is expanding its role as a leading force in alternative protein production. In May, announced a collaboration with PIC Based in the Netherlands Wageningen University & Research Supporting global protein transformation by committing to knowledge exchange.
At the beginning of this year P.I.C received CAD $150M from the Canadian government to support work to accelerate plant-based protein innovation.
About $500M has been invested
In recent years, Canada’s plant protein sector has Gained strong momentum, about half a billion dollars PIC and other entities invest about half a billion dollars. Some notable alt-protein companies originating from Canada include: calledWaygu plant-based steak maker; Big Mountain Foods; Oat Canada Oatmilk; And conscious eating Seafood
“Our vision is to enable people to live longer, healthier lives and we can achieve this by transforming our food system into a more productive, sustainable and resilient one,” said Innovate UK’s Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain Executive Director. Katrina Hayter.
He continued, “Having the opportunity to learn and collaborate with counterparts in Canada is vital to ensuring that technologies, practices and sustainable facilities continue to develop, and this partnership represents a breakthrough moment in bringing together the expertise of both countries in the plant-based. food space. partnership.” As development progresses, we look forward to supporting new connections and collaborations, driving the development and adoption of new technologies across the sector, and enabling the transition to a net zero food system.