March 02, 2012 — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — Increased capacity of bioactive extracts at POS Pilot Plant will help Saskatchewan’s processing and ag-biotechnology industries penetrate the health and wellness market.
A federal investment of $750,000, announced today by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, will allow POS to purchase bio-extraction equipment that will position it as Canada’s premiere commercial scale fee-for-service processing facility of botanicals, herbs, fruits and vegetables.
"Our Government’s investment will create new jobs, promote economic growth, and diversify Saskatchewan’s value-added food processing sector,
" said Minister Yelich. "Commercial scale processing at POS opens new markets for Canadian companies selling ingredients essential to the health and wellness sector.
"
This investment will enable POS Pilot Plant to increase capacity to commercial scale to meet the demands of clients, allow effective collaboration with other Canadian research institutions for the development of bio-extracts, and open niche markets for Canadian ingredients essential to the health and wellness industries.
"This equipment will be of great interest to a number of Canadian companies, predominantly those with the objective of extracting high-value compounds from native fruits and emerging crops,
" says Rick Green, POS Vice President, Technology. "In the past POS has had limited capacity to support commercial development of these extracts. Access to this equipment will reduce the time required for Canadian companies to access new markets.
"
Western Economic Diversification Canada, in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities, promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Jerra Byrne
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 954-8097
Email: Jerra.Byrne@wd-deo.gc.ca
Marilyn Huber
POS Pilot Plant
Telephone: (306) 978-2855
Email: mhuber@pos.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Through a WD investment of $750,000, POS Pilot Plant will purchase and install reactors, an evaporator with essence recovery, and a water recirculation loop that will allow for extraction of bio-active compounds from botanicals, herbs, fruits and vegetables. Installation is expected to be complete in summer 2012.
This equipment will complement POS’ capabilities for pilot scale purification and process development. This will enable the organization to provide large capacity extraction and concentration services to Canadian producers of botanically sourced health and wellness supplements.
Advanced processing to extract and isolate high-value nutrients from plants will produce value-added concentrates and spray-dried powders.
Dried, condensed and concentrated materials make key bio-active components easier to transport, store and integrate into products, which adds inherent value for the food ingredient, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
Product applications range from functional food benefits incorporated into baked goods to compressing the powder into a nutraceutical tablet or adding it to soluble beverage mixes.
