PIP Lethbridge has received funding to help it improve plant protein processing. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge pea protein plant gets $2.3 million to improve innovation

Mar 12, 2025 | 9:44 AM

A multi-million dollar grant will help an agri-food processor in Lethbridge to continue to innovate in plant-based protein markets.

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has announced $2.3 million in funding for PIP Lethbridge Inc.

PIP opened in the city in 2022 and both produces and researches yellow pea-based products.

The money will aid the company in scaling up processes and applying new technology to provide real-time processing data, resulting in more protein recovery, fewer losses, and improved cost-effectiveness.

This follows a $215,000 grant from RDAR in 2024 to help PIP preserve protein integrity while eliminating the bitter taste and undesirable textures commonly associated with plant proteins.

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RDAR CEO Dr. Mark Redmond says pea protein offers several health benefits for consumers, sustainable crop production benefits for farmers and economic benefits for Alberta.

“We are pleased to continue our funding in this area, as both this crop and the value-added markets are experiencing steady growth. Peas now have the opportunity to change their perception from being just a rotational crop that exports for animal feed, to a cash crop of choice for farmers,” says Redmond.

PIP CEO Christine Lewington says their technologies improved pea processing efficiency by 20 per cent and raised the value of peas from less than one dollar per kilogram to more than eight dollars per kilogram.

“To be competitive globally, it is critical to continually invest in and strengthen Alberta’s Ag-tech position through strategic and applicable R&D projects,” says Lewington. “Stakeholders and support funding partners, such as RDAR, have been key to PIP’s success, as we have decoded and continue to optimize the technology further.”

As part of the expansion phase of the project, PIP is working on securing a second location in the Lethbridge area.

READ MORE: Pea protein facility opens in Lethbridge

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