FCL to build nation's largest renewable diesel facility, canola processing plant in Regina
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has announced plans to build Canada’s largest renewable diesel facility, along with a canola processing plant, in Regina.
FCL said it plans for the two facilities to be located north of the Co-op Refinery Complex and will be known as the Integrated Agriculture Complex.
Regina’s AGT Foods, will be a partner for the canola crushing plant.
They say the partnership furthers the synergies between the production of renewable transportation, fuel and agriculture, creating what they are calling farm to fuel tank.
“We have the best distribution network across western Canada to bring that fuel right back to the farm and to start the cycle all over again,” said Scott Banda, CEO of FCL.
FCL said the project represents an investment of nearly $2 billion, for Saskatchewan and is expected to create more than 2,500 jobs during construction and another 300 permanent positions.
Mayor Sandra Masters, said the opportunity for growth is enormous for the city.
“These are great jobs in terms of the opportunity it provides to folks either looking to move here, or looking to advance and change careers, they’re mortgage paying jobs,” she said.
The direct economic benefit is in forecast to be in the neighbourhood of $4.5 billion.
The province said the canola crushing facility will ensure Saskatchewan exceeds its
2030 growth plan goal of processing 75 per cent of the canola grown in Saskatchewan.
FCL’s renewable diesel plant will have a production capacity of about 15,000 barrels per day, which adds up to about one billion litres per year.
FCL-AGT’s canola crushing facility is expected to use 1.1 million tonnes of canola seed to make 450,000 tonnes of oil.
FCL said the crushing plant built in the complex will be able to produce 50 per cent of the feed stock required to meet production capacity.
AGT said directing the canola towards fuel won’t impact the food crisis, adding they will use their technology to make the canola mead go even further.
Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO at AGT Foods, said he thinks they could generate even more to fill the food gap.
“We’re ultimately going to put this back into high value use in the food systems, we think, again, generating even more food to close that food gap on both population growth and middle income growth around the world.”
Al-Katib said there is a demand for quality plant based protein, environmental stewardship and cleaner energy, adding this complex helps both organizations get closer to becoming net zero.
Premier Scott Moe said the announcement is a “big win” for Saskatchewan’s economy, communities and workers.
“I think most importantly, and not to in anyway be understated, this is a significant win for the environment in our province and in our nation and around the world,” Moe added.
FCL is anticipating the renewable diesel facility will be operating in 2027, with the crushing plant operating before then.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.