May 11, 2022-- Saskatoon, Canada -- Plant-based ingredient manufacturer KeyLeaf Life Sciences announced today its facility in Saskatoon, Canada has resumed processing of plant-derived food ingredients for commercialization after a 24-month halt and is ready to meet the unprecedented industry demand for protein extraction and expertise. KeyLeaf has been processing food ingredients for over 40 years and is well positioned to leverage their experience and expertise in the plant-based protein space.

The company’s hiatus from food processing was mandated under the terms of its Health Canada Cannabis license, which was issued in 2019, but was formally paused on April 15, 2022, to allow KeyLeaf to again engage in food-based and plant-based processing. The main benefit will be increased capacity for solvent and aqueous plant-based protein extraction.

“Our KeyLeaf Saskatoon facility, which never ceased conducting R&D for the nutraceutical, medical and the cosmetic industries, is now fully back online. This includes our laboratories, which have been providing services to our clients since the late 1970’s for contract R&D, pilot scale development, contract manufacturing, and all kinds of food extraction,” said KeyLeaf CEO Jim Shields.

KeyLeaf is currently experiencing a steady stream of clients seeking KeyLeaf’s plant protein extraction services and expertise. With the value of the global plant protein market forecast by Bloomberg Intelligence to surpass $162 billion by 2030, it’s a stream Shields predicts will contribute to significant growth for KeyLeaf as current food and nutrition trends continue.

“Consumers are requesting plant protein derived from clean, organic sources. We have a society that is moving away from animal protein due to concerns about its sustainability and its impact on the climate. Millions of people are searching for a healthier protein, and KeyLeaf has the technology that can help bring that product into the marketplace to service the tremendous pent-up demand,” said Shields.

Shields is very pleased with the job done by the entire KeyLeaf team in making its industry-leading extraction services available to clients at the Saskatoon location. He believes they can develop more R&D and contract manufacturing partnerships with ingredient and CPG companies based on their experience working in this space.

KeyLeaf has worked with many of the proteins that are coming online right now, and much of the research and development of protein extraction stems from the past 40 years of being a leader in plant extraction and processing technology.

“Our company and team truly excel at listening to what the client’s needs are. We’re not just mass producing a product. We want to deliver a high-quality customized ingredient that will give them a competitive market advantage. That level of dedication and caring is paramount to KeyLeaf’s enduring reputation throughout the industry,” added Shields.

If you’re interested in joining the plant-based protein revolution, KeyLeaf is offering a free consultation. Please reach out to Justin White, Vice President, Global Sales & Business Development keyleaf@keyleaf.ca or call 630.733.1581.

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Media Contact:

Margie Adelman

margie.adelman@beyondbrands.org

916-220-3500