Plant-based nutritional ingredients
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Turning an abundant side stream into value-added new products.
How a high-calcium by-product opened up three new market opportunities
The Opportunity
Natures Crops International has built a sustainable, eco-friendly business around their proprietary Ahiflower crop. Ahiflower is a hardy plant whose seeds contain a high level of omega 3s, which are valued in the nutrition and natural beauty industries. After the seeds are ground to extract the oil, the remaining material is a source of untapped nutrients like protein and calcium, which hold potential for many other markets.
The Challenge
As a B Corp with a strong soil-to-oil ethos, Natures Crops looks to maximize sustainability at every stage in production, processing and distribution – to save disposal costs, increase revenues, and reduce their overall environmental footprint. They knew that the press cake (the seed remnants after the oil has been ground) was high in calcium and other nutrients that could be valuable to other markets, but they needed clear data about how to best serve them in a sustainable and profitable way.
Having the backing of someone like NPC let’s you take on a bit more risk so you can pursue the next opportunity. In this case, it allowed us to turn a cost-incurring waste product into a value-added suite of new ingredients.
NPC’s Solution
Working closely with Natural Products Canada, Natures Crops developed a plan to validate their Ahiflower press cakes for select industries, which was supported with $250,000 through NPC’s Proof of Concept Program. This ongoing project has identified three new value-added markets with significant revenue potential for the press cake by-product and the company has already secured key industry clients for their commercialization.
NPC is committed to the creation of natural products that are better for people, animals and the planet. We propel early-stage Canadian innovators with the advice, connections and capital they need to develop and de-risk their solutions quickly and efficiently.
Natures Crops International
Description:
Sector(s):
Household, Personal Care, Agriculture, Animal, Agtech, Food, Nutrition, FoodtechFunding Type:
Proof of ConceptProvince:
Prince Edward IslandFunding Amount:
$250,000
Year of Funding:
2023
Name:
Andrew Hebard
