Protein Industries Canada (PIC) has committed $4.9 million to a $15.1 million project with NS/TX Industries, New Protein International (NPI), and Infusd Nutrition to automate and expand NS/TX’s whole-cut alternative protein manufacturing platform.
Whole cuts and cleaner ingredients
The project will scale NS/TX’s proprietary manufacturing process and expand its product range to include whole-cut beef and pork alternatives alongside its existing fish products, using Canadian-sourced pea, fava, and soy proteins. NS/TX manufactures the NEW/SCHOOL FOODS brand, which produces a plant-based salmon filet.
NPI will supply hexane-free, clean-label soy protein and is preparing to open what it describes as Canada’s first dedicated soy protein manufacturing plant. Infusd Nutrition is contributing a pilot-scale water-stable creatine ingredient developed for food and beverage applications.
Whole-cut formats remain one of the more technically demanding categories in alternative protein. Most commercial production relies on extrusion, which suits ground or formed products but struggles to replicate the fibrous texture of intact cuts. Companies including Meati, Chunk Foods, and Juicy Marbles have pursued mycelium and other approaches to address the gap.
Domestic value chain
The investment is designed to establish a domestic end-to-end soy protein value chain and create innovation-based jobs. PIC is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters.
Chris Bryson, founder and CEO of NS/TX Industries, stated, “NS/TX Industries is committed to creating the highest quality meat and seafood alternatives possible, and this project will allow us to expand our output and product range to make this a reality. By working with NPI and Infusd, we’ll have access to more high-quality ingredients to continuously improve our products and processes.”
