Renewable diesel facility, canola-crushing plant announced for Regina

Federated Co-operatives Ltd. has announced a project that is to include a renewable diesel facility and a canola-crushing plant.

The estimated $2-billion Integrated Agriculture Complex is to be built in north Regina near the company’s Co-op refinery and in partnership with global pulse-processor and supplier AGT Foods.

FCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture (JV) partnership with AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (AGT Foods). The newly formed JV will look to construct a $360 million canola crush facility. The partnership with AGT is a 51-49 per cent split, with FCL holding the majority ownership stake. The canola crush facility will supply approximately 50% 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.

“We are so pleased to have AGT as a partner. Murad and his team are already playing an instrumental role in Saskatchewan agriculture and will bring a great deal of expertise to this venture,” said Scott Banda, CEO of FCL. “We are excited to realize the vision we share to bring value-added opportunities to the agriculture sector in both farm-to-tank and farm-to-fork opportunities that will benefit the communities we serve.”

“I applaud the leadership Scott and the team at FCL have shown in working together to pursue this exciting opportunity,” said Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods. “Agriculture is at the forefront of many global challenges and is providing societal solutions to global protein requirements, food and renewable fuel supplies. 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). Today’s announcement builds on the company’s recent announcement that FCL is advancing plans to construct a renewable diesel facility in the Regina area. The IAC will include the 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.

“This historic announcement is about the future of our business. We know the synergies between transportation fuel production and agriculture will play a vital role in Western Canada’s transition to the low carbon economy,” said Banda. “We believe our Co-op Retailing System is well-positioned to integrate and capture the full agricultural value-chain in the production of fuel and value-added products. We are excited about the opportunities that the IAC will provide for Co-op, the City of Regina and all of Western Canada.”

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. This estimate includes all economic realizations associated with the facility. The IAC investments are subject to continued due diligence as well as environmental, regulatory and board approvals.

“Our government is grateful FCL and AGT Foods are moving forward with this significant investment that will create thousands of jobs and expand value-added processing in Saskatchewan,” said Premier Scott Moe. “The new Integrated Agriculture Complex will provide additional momentum to Saskatchewan’s growing economy. 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.”

“This is a very exciting announcement, and I am pleased to see FCL and AGT Foods continuing to invest in our city and our province,” Mayor of Regina, Sandra Masters said. “This investment will provide Regina and area with new value-added opportunities, assist the city’s long-term sustainability goals, and reinforce Regina’s position a global leader in agriculture.”