Royal DSM, Delft, Netherlands, and the Avril Group, France's fourth-largest agro-industrial group, 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, DSM and Paris-based Avril said they finalized their partnership and will begin construction on a manufacturing facility in Dieppe, France.

Protein is a crucial part of a healthy diet. As the world’s population heads toward 10 billion by 2050, more protein will be needed than is currently produced, according to the companies. To help meet this growing demand, DSM and Avril formed Olatein. The partnership draws on the unique knowledge 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 excellent functional properties, a high nutritional value and a balanced taste profile. It enhances vegan and vegetarian products such as dairy alternatives, as well as other beverages, baked products, bars, and ready-to-mix products, the companies said.

“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.”

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 company will supply Olatein with non-GMO canola meal from the new crushing unit that will be created on-site, the companies said. The new facility also will 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, the companies said. 

"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, CEO 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."