GUELPH, ON, Nov. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - The bioeconomy is an exciting new frontier for Ontario agriculture, opening up new markets for farmers beyond food and feed to a vast array of industrial and consumer applications. Our Government is committed to increasing demand for farm products, while helping agri-based businesses to be innovative and competitive in order to create well-paying jobs and find new export markets.
Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield (Guelph), on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, today announced an investment of $1 million to supporting start-up company Mirexus Biotechnologies to establish operations in Guelph and commercialize a new micro-filtration process that will directly benefit Ontario sweet corn growers.
The technology will help isolate glycogen – a key ingredient for personal care and cosmetic products, derived from sweet corn – using a Mirexus-patented process. The glycogen product has an established global demand and these products will primarily be made for export. Mirexus Biotechnologies broke ground on Sept. 28 for their new plant in Guelph which will buy 4,500 more tonnes of corn from Ontario growers over the next 10 years.
Quotes
"The Mirexus project is a leading example of innovation in the agriculture sector and a great success story for Guelph, because it helps local farmers while enabling an innovative start-up company to sell their cutting-edge, made-in-Canada products here in Canada and around the world. This investment helps Mirexus establish their new plant right here in Guelph, which is expected to create over 70 well-paying new jobs."
- MP Lloyd Longfield (Guelph)
"The new plant will allow us to produce our unique material for markets around the world, leading to exciting applications in natural cosmetics, high performance nutrition and new human and animal health. This investment by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, alongside investment from our other partners in the private sector, really sets us on the road to growth and prosperity."
- Phil Whiting, President & CEO, Mirexus Inc.
Quick Facts
- Mirexus Biotechnologies was founded by four researchers from the University of Guelph who discovered and isolated glycogen from sweet corn.
- The company currently has 18 full-time employees and expects to create 72 full-time positions in the next 10 years.
- Over the next 15 years, the global market for bioproducts is estimated to reach $200 billion dollars.
- Budget 2017 focused on agri-food as one of the top industries in our Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world leader in innovation, with a focus on expanding growth and creating good, well-paying jobs.
- Budget 2017 set an ambitious goal of growing Canada's agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025.
- This repayable investment is made from the AgriInnovation Program.
Additional Links
Growing Forward 2 – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
AgriInnovation Program – Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax
Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972; Phil Whiting, PhD, President & CEO, Mirexus Inc., 519-829-1221 x201
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