Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada

Western Canadian companies in sectors as diverse as biofuels, cosmetics and functional foods will soon have access to additional bio-extraction services from POS Pilot Plant thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada for new equipment, as announced today by Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon—Humboldt, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

Two high-viscosity evaporators and a low-temperature condenser will be purchased to provide an evaporation and compound recovery service that is currently unavailable to western Canadian businesses on a fee-for-service basis.

The evaporators, compound recovery system and other WD-funded equipment, will improve POS Pilot Plant’s ability to help Canada’s bio-industry turn oilseeds, fruit, vegetable, and marine bio-based material into higher value bio-oils and products. The equipment will support the development of additional value-added products for the cosmetics, biofuels, nutraceuticals, and functional foods industries.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $504,000 in the project, with an additional investment from POS Pilot Plant Corporation of $554,000.
• POS’ industrial services fill the innovation gap that exists between the research and commercialization phases of product development. POS Pilot Plant equipment is scalable to industry, making the facility one-of-a kind in North America.
• According to an independent study commissioned by POS, for every dollar invested by a client at POS in research and commercialization services, the clients generate $60 in revenue from the sale of new products.
• The food processing and manufacturing industry generated over 20 per cent of Saskatchewan’s total manufacturing and processing output, and over $3.5 billion in sales in 2013.

Quotes

"Thanks to our Government's investment in the POS Pilot Plant, we are ensuring that Canadian companies have an edge in developing and commercializing their products globally. Our support for initiatives such as this illustrates our commitment to creating jobs, growth and economic prosperity."

- Brad Trost, Member of Parliament, Saskatoon—Humboldt

"We would like to thank and recognize the continued support of the federal government in ensuring that POS is able to offer Canadian biotechnology companies access to unique and specialized state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and most importantly knowledgeable staff."

- Dale Kelly, President & CEO, POS Pilot Plant Corporation