BioNeutra products - credit BioNeutra website

By Dori Modney

Government of Canada supports Alberta agri-food sector with investment in BioNeutra

Apr 7, 2021 | 4:59 PM

EDMONTON, AB. — It’s long been known that the agriculture industry produces not only crops but ingenuity in developing innovative technologies and processes that help expand and diversify agricultural products.

Of critical importance to the Canadian economy, is the agri-foods sector, which has been providing value-added food and food ingredient manufacturing that offers quality jobs to Canadians.

With that in mind, the Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, announced on Wednesday, (April 7) that through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), it is investing $2.94 million into BioNeutra‘s Edmonton plant.

“The demand for healthy, organic plant-based foods is growing exponentially around the world, and Alberta is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity thanks to its strong agricultural sector. With the investment, the Government of Canada is supporting an Alberta company, helping to create jobs, and working to further strengthen Canada’s agriculture industry.”

BioNeutra focuses on converting starch molecules to healthier food ingredients without chemical modification. The process enables BioNeutra to produce its VitaFiber line of products — a naturally sweet, low calorie, and high fiber alternative to sugar. The organic food products are sold to consumers and to food manufacturers looking to use healthier alternatives to sugar in their products.

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BioNeutra sugar – credit BioNeutra website

The funding will enable BioNeutra to acquire equipment needed to double its manufacturing capacity and move its bottling processes from a foreign supplier to the company’s Alberta facility. The company’s Alberta location is the only North American facility manufacturing a type of healthy food ingredient made from plant starch.

The investment will help position BioNeutra to expand globally, creating quality jobs for Albertans, and building on Canada’s reputation as a leader in the agri-food sector. Over the next four years, the project is expected to result in more than 20 high-value jobs.

BioNeutra logo – credit company website

The $2.94 million comes in the form of an interest free and repayable investment, which will help the company meet growing consumer demands for its organic plant-based food ingredients—both nationally and internationally. WD supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies.

BioNeutra was funded in Edmonton in 2003, as a supplier of high-quality fiber ingredients and products that contribute to advanced human nutrition and wellness in functional and healthy foods. BioNeutra focuses on providing consistent, quality ingredients for formulators and manufacturers.