Royal DSM, a global nutrition and health company, has entered into a partnership with Avril, France’s fourth-largest agro-industrial group, and announced the launch of their joint venture, Olatein, to produce canola protein ingredients for the global food market.
 
Avril and DSM have finalized their partnership, and will begin construction on a manufacturing facility in Dieppe, France. The partnership will combine DSM’s patented process and technology for extracting high-quality protein from canola meal, and Avril’s 35-year history 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, and can be formulated into vegan and vegetarian products such as meat and dairy alternatives, as well as other beverages, baked products, bars, and ready-to-mix products.
 
Avril will be investing in the upstream part of the business, capitalizing on its leadership in oilseed crushing and seed sourcing. They will supply Olatein with non-GMO 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 a local public energy network and minimize the environmental footprint of production.
 
An industrial site in Dieppe, France, owned by Saipol, a subsidiary of the Avril Group, will be renovated to accommodate new industrial complex, and reports that it has received the support of the Normandy Region, the Dieppe Town Hall, the Port of Dieppe, and state services.
 
“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,” Jean-Phillipe Puig, CEO of the Avril Group, said. “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,” Patrick Niels, president of DSM Food Specialties, said. “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.”