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FCL and AGT Foods partner for new canola crush facility near Regina

Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a joint venture partnership with AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. The newly formed joint venture will look to construct a $360 million canola crush facility, which will supply approximately 50 per cent of the feedstock required for a 15,000-barrel-per-day renewable diesel plant, with the remainder of the supply contracted from other canola crush facilities.

“Agriculture is at the forefront of many global challenges and is providing societal solutions to global protein requirements, food and renewable fuel supplies,” said Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Foods. “This project demonstrates Saskatchewan’s leadership in plant-based foods, fuels and feeds and brings together two Saskatchewan companies with the shared goals of decarbonizing our economy and adding value to Western Canadian crop production.

“We believe that AGT’s capabilities in grain logistics and plant protein ingredients combined with FCL’s strong history in energy and farm inputs creates a powerful partnership that will benefit the communities in which we operate.”

The canola crush plant is part of a $2 billion investment FCL is making in the construction of an Integrated Agriculture Complex (IAC). The Jan. 17 announcement builds on the company’s plans to construct a renewable diesel facility in the Regina area. The IAC will include this recently announced renewable diesel plant and canola crushing plant that will produce the feedstock for the plant-based fuels produced at the renewable diesel facility.

The projects that comprise the IAC will provide significant economic opportunities locally and across Western Canada. The construction phase of the IAC will create an estimated 2,750 jobs and, once complete, could potentially create up to 300 permanent jobs. In terms of economic impact, the gross economic output of the complex will be an estimated $4.5 billion.

“The new Integrated Agriculture Complex will provide additional momentum to Saskatchewan’s growing economy,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “With this project, more than $12 billion of capital investment has been announced for the province in the last year, including about $2 billion to build four new canola crush plants.

“FCL’s new renewable diesel facility will reinforce Saskatchewan’s reputation as one of the most sustainable producers of energy in the world. This project is a win for the economy, a win for workers, families and communities, and a win for the environment.”