Royal DSM and Avril, France's fourth-largest agro-industrial group, have announced the launch of their joint venture, Olatein, to produce canola (rapeseed) proteins for the global food market.
One year after announcing their intention to work together, Avril and DSM have finalized their partnership and will begin construction on a manufacturing facility in Dieppe, France.
The partnership draws on the unique know-how of each of the partners, including DSM’s patented process and technology for extracting high-quality protein from canola meal and Avril’s 35-year legacy in oilseed and protein crop production.
The resulting product, CanolaPRO, will be marketed and sold by DSM. CanolaPRO has functional properties, a high nutritional value and a balanced taste profile. It enhances vegan and vegetarian products such as meat and dairy alternatives, as well as other beverages, baked products, bars and ready-to-mix products.
To facilitate the production, Avril is investing in the upstream part of the business, capitalizing on its leadership in oilseed crushing and seed sourcing. The group will supply Olatein with non-genetically modified canola meal from the new crushing unit that will be created on the site.
The new facility will also include a biomethane production unit, which will contribute to supplying the local public energy network and minimize the environmental footprint of production.
The finalization of this partnership initiates a new phase of activity at the Dieppe industrial site, owned by Saipol, a subsidiary of the Avril Group.
The site will be completely renovated to accommodate the new industrial complex with the support of the Normandy region, the Dieppe Town Hall, the Port of Dieppe and state services. The restart of activity on the site will create new job opportunities once construction is complete.
"This partnership with DSM is part of Avril's strategy to develop and conquer new markets, with the aim of structuring a new high-protein seed sector and thus contribute to increasing France's and Europe's protein self-sufficiency,” said Jean-Philippe Puig, chief executive officer of the Avril Group. “This project, in line with our commitments, offers a new future for the Dieppe site, while repositioning it on a new activity that will bring growth and industrial sustainability."
“With the global population continuing to grow and the demand for healthy and nutritious proteins on the rise, the world needs sustainable solutions,” said Patrick Niels, president of DSM food specialties. “Our partnership with Avril enables the production of CanolaPRO, a high-quality and nutritious protein that supports our customers to provide consumers around the world with better tasting, more enjoyable meat and dairy alternatives—in line with the market trends.”
