Overview
Through a combination of expertise, specialized facilities, product development, applied research, and interim processing, the Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) fosters growth and commercialization of food, beverage and ingredient manufacturing companies. Working with industry stakeholders and companies of all sizes, the FPDC helps build Alberta value-added processing capacity and supports industry as it pursues new and existing opportunities.
The FPDC is a modern, 65,000 square foot pilot plant and product development laboratory equipped with more than $20,000,000 in equipment that supports food product innovation along the full development and commercialization continuum. Clients can access technical consultation, benchtop development, pilot plant development, scale-up, business development, applied research and interim processing services.
Services
Product and process development and scale-up
The FPDC, a centre of excellence, offers access to expertise, knowledge and facilities as companies strive to develop and introduce new value-added products to market. Whether a company is a startup with an exciting idea, has a prototype ready for optimization, is reformulating in response to consumer demand or is at any stage along the development continuum, the FPDCs established product and process development and scale-up process is a pathway to commercialization.
Benchtop development refers to the use of the laboratory or test kitchen for product development. Clients may use the facility on their own, or with assistance from a centre scientist or technologist (note the difference in fees).
Pilot plant development refers to the use of the pilot plant for the commercialization of products under development or the production of products for test market purposes. The assistance of technologists skilled in the use of the centre's equipment is included in the fee. The FPDC’s pilot plant is licensed and inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The facility works with clients to attain CFIA licenses under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations as required for their processing. The FPDC has various capabilities in the areas of meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable and grain processing.
Laboratory support
The FPDC lab provides on-site food safety, quality, and analytical testing in support of product development and interim processing activities. The lab is not accredited therefore does not provide accredited analysis or other commercially available lab services. Additionally, shelf life or market testing services are not offered.
Applied research
FPDC food scientists engage in applied research collaborations with industry clients and other stakeholders to support:
- individual companies as they pursue opportunities and respond to challenges through the development of new products or adoption of innovative process and technologies
- industry stakeholders to realize their own research agenda by accessing FPDC scientific expertise and facilities
Consultation services
FPDC scientists provide consultation services to clients. The related charges for this service are based on the time spent at the FPDC and at the client facility.
Interim processing
Interim processing is a short-term processing solution where companies can access the FPDC pilot plant to produce their product for sale. This service assists businesses in introducing their product(s) to market until they are able to graduate to their own facility, enter into an arrangement with a co-packer, or potentially move into the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator (APBI). The FPDC works with clients to attain CFIA licenses under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations as required for their processing. The FPDC has various capabilities in the areas of meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable and grain processing. Product produced can be exported, however export eligibility is dependent upon country and product category requirements.
The daily fee will depend upon the complexity of the process and the amount and kind of space utilized. All costs related to the manufacture, packaging and distribution of products produced in the pilot plant, including cleaning and sanitation, are the responsibility of the client. FPDC is not a co-packer or toll processor so clients are responsible for securing production staff for all interim processing work.
Interim processing requires a client company representative to be part of the processing day to oversee activities, supervise company staff, and make decisions on behalf of the company.
Post processing cleaning
A trained third party conducts all post processing sanitation at FPDC and the cost of the sanitation related to a project is billed to the client.
Handling and storage
Incoming ingredients and finished products can be stored short term at FPDC. However, due to space limitations, long-term storage of client materials is not permitted.
Business development
Clients with Service Agreements have access to Business Development Officers (BDOs). BDOs provide business development coaching and assist with identifying programs, services, resources and connections to help grow and expand your business. Connect with a BDO.
Application process
Complete the application for technical assistance form and save it to your computer or print it off. Email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
Food Processing Development Centre
6309 45 Street
Leduc, Alberta T9E 7C5
For more information regarding the application form, call 780-986-4793 or email [email protected].
Upon receipt of your application you will be contacted by a Business Development Officer or a Food Scientist to further understand the technical requirements and business readiness of the project.
Fee schedule
| Engineering services | $ 350 per day |
| Technical consultations | $ 350 per day |
| Benchtop development by Agriculture and Forestry staff | $ 350 per day |
| Benchtop development by client staff | $ 200 per day |
| Pilot plant development | $ 500 per day |
| Interim processing | $ 500 to $1,200 per day |
| Post processing cleaning | $25 per person per hour |
| Handling and storage | $0.10 per kilogram per day |
| Seminars and demonstrations | Cost plus 10% |
Daily rates are based upon a 7.25 hour day.
These fees apply to Alberta companies or companies that have processing facilities in Alberta. Fees for out-of-province clients will be negotiated prior to signing a contract, but in most cases will be double those quoted above.
Start Up Visa inquiries
FPDC and APBI engage with clients and tenants in the development of food products, food manufacturing processes, pilot plant development, interim processing and food processing business incubation. In addition, the facilities are considered a 'designated incubator' under the Start Up Visa (SUV) Program with the Government of Canada.
We may choose to certify those for SUV consideration provided they have already qualified for one of the programmes offered at the FPDC and APBI. We do not consider ourselves as a means to get a start up visa. Rather, we use our status as a designated incubator to assist our clients and tenants with projects related to food manufacturing.
If you have any questions, email: [email protected]
Equipment
Dry processing
Extruder – Coperion Twin Screw ZSK 26 |
Extruder operating in pilot plant |
Pin Mill and Air Classifier |
Proctor and Schwartz Tray Dryer |
| Blender/Mixer, Day & O'Hare Ribbon Blender, 6 & 20 ft3 | Anhydryo Spray Dryer - Pilot 55 |
| Niro Fluidized Bed Dryer | Ro-Tap Test Sieve Shaker, Model B |
| Fine Grind Mill - Hosokawa | Hammer Mill - Fitzpatrick D-6 |
| Dehullers – Forsberg, Satake | Sweco Screen Separators (18 & 30") |
Wet processing
Decanter Centrifuge |
Sam – 400 L Agitated Steam Jacketed Kettle |
APV Pasteurizer-High Temperature Short Time |
Kettle Line |
| Berkel Universal Food Cutter | Rheon 207SS, Encrusting Machine |
| Brown Pulper/Finisher - Screw & Paddle | Filter Press, Star System |
| Gaulin M3 Homogenizer | Hamilton 80 L Kettle |
| Crepaco 1200 L Multi Purpose Processing Vat | Processing Vessels, Alfa Laval, 200 and 400 L, Jacketed |
| 2500L CB Processing Tank | Seprotech Reverse Osmosis Membrane Separation System |
| Wiped Film Evaporator Pfaudler - 4 ft2 | Zip Cryogenic Batch Freezer |
| Hamilton SA, 200 L Steam Jacketed Kettle | Decanter Centrifuge |
| Hamilton Steam Jacketed 600 L Pressure Kettle | Disc-stack centrifuge |
| Powder Disperser | Blentech Kettle (CO2 and Oil jacketed) |
| Paddle mixers, various sizes | Basket centrifuge |
| All-Fill Auger Filler | Lee 20 L Agitated Kettles |
Size reduction
Seydelmann K64-AC8-VA Bowl Cutter |
Weber® CCS 305 UB Slicer |
Urschel Labs 3600 w/ Feed Screw Comitrol Size Reducer |
Biro 3334 Band Saw Baader 694 Deboner/Desinewer Carruthers Table Top Shredder Stephan Microcut MC15 Meat Emulsifying Machine Rotoclaw Jr Block Breaker |
| Holac® 21 Dicer , TREIF Husky-CE Dicer for portion-cutting operations | Hobart MG1532-1 Meat Mixer / Grinder |
| Grote GR713 Meat Slicer | K & G Wetter AW 114 Grinder |
Injection and tenderizing
| Biro Rotary Blade Tenderizer | Hand Pickle Injector |
Multi-needle brine injector Günther, versatile for injection Bone-In/Boneless products with optional tenderizing needles |
Tenderstar Needle/Blade Tenderizer |
Mixing and tumbling
| AMFEC Double Paddle Vacuum Mixer/Blender | AMFEC 175 Vacuum Tumbler |
Challenge® RMF MM-03 Vacuum Meat Massager |
Custom Stainless CDB-1232 Double Paddle Blender / Cooker |
| Daniels DVS 250 | Röschermatic TU-250 Vacuum Tumbler |
| Daniels DMX-QUAD 100 Mixer |
Forming and stuffing
Handtmann VF80 Stuffer |
Formax PFM-6 Former |
| Bridge Titan Croquette & Meatball Former | Hollymatic Super Patty Machine |
| Piston Stuffer | Ross Uniform 914 Meat Press |
| Vemag HP 25 E Stuffer and bar forming unit | Z-linker |
Batter, pre-dust, bread application
Koppens ERT 400 Batter |
Koppens PR 400C Breader |
Stein DB-4 Drum Breader |
Koppens PRM 400 MEG Pre-Duster
|
Thermal processing
| Blentech Steamtherm Blending Cooker | Enviro-Pak MP-2000 Meat Fermentation Chamber |
Enviro-Pak CVU-650E Smokehouse |
Fessmann T1900 HD 629 Smokehouse |
Koppens BR300/600 Continuous Deep Fryer |
Koppens HLT 6000/600 Continuous Oven |
High pressure processing – non-thermal
Hyperbaric 135 HPP unit |
Freezing
Aerofreeze Spiral Freezer |
CES CO2 freezer |
Packaging
Multivac T200 Semi-automatic Tray Sealer |
Multivac R126 Thermoforming Rollstock unit (for raw product only) |
Sipromac 620A Double Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine |
ULMA TR Supra 420x300 Thermoforming Rollstock unit (for ready-to-eat product only) |
| VS Snorkel Vacuum Bag Sealer | Komet 620A Double Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine |
| Matrix Mercury ADW-5105V Verticle Bagging | Conveyor & Radial Scale System |
| Multivac AG500 Vacuum Packager | L-Bar Sealer |
Pre-made pouch packaging machine (Swifty Jr) |
XTRAVAC 450A Flow Wrapper |
In-Line Filling System with Labeler |
Carousel scale and vertical-flow wrapper (Yamato and Matrix) Visual Thermoforming Semi-auto Tray Sealer |
Benchtop processing equipment
Buchi B-290 Spray Dryer |
Bulk Tray Freeze Dryer |
UF RO Membrane Filtration System |
Groen 20 L Steam-Jacketed Vacuum Kettle |
| Cold Press (Carver Model C) | Label Makers (Toshiba SX5 Thermal) |
| Moffat Batch Griddle, Grill and Fryer | Bench Hollymatic Tumbler Gaulin 15MR Laboratory Homogenizer |
Stephan Emulsion Mill |
Italgi Model P9A Pasta Machine |
Doughpro – dough press |
Ohtake Noodle Machine Hobart Mixers Bag sealer (Multivac C200, BOSCH HS-BII) |
| Hand Stuffer | Hallde VCM-61 Food Processor Taylor 110 Batch Ice Cream Freezer |
| Tube Broiler | Environmental Chamber LHU-113 |
Laboratory analytical equipment
Dough Rheological Analyzer-Chopin Mixolab 2 |
Particle Size Analyzer (Cilas 1180) |
Protein/Nitrogen Analyzer (LECO FP528) |
Rapid Visco Analyzer (Perten 4500) |
| Brookfield DU-III Ultra Rheometer | Centrifuges (Damon CRU-500, Ross MPW-530) |
| Colorimeters (Minolta CR-440 & CM-2500C) | Dough Sheeter Bench-top (Rondo Econom) |
| Drying Ovens | Fat Analyzer (FOSS SOXTEC 2043) |
| Flat bread crust/tortilla press (EDSS DP200BP) | High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Photodiode and Refractive Index Detectors (Agilent 1100) |
| Homogenizers (Brinkman PT 10/35 Polytron, Buchi mixer B-400) | Incubators (Mocon) |
| Instron Universal Testing Instrument (Instron 5565) | Membrane Filtration System (Satorius, 142mm/293mm) |
| Microscopes (Zeiss 475057) | Moisture Analyzers (Satorius MA35 & MA37) |
| Muffle Furnace (Thermolyne 1500) | NearInfrared Analyser (FOSS FoodScan Lab) |
| Oxygen/Co2 Permeation Analyzer (Mocon) | pH Meters |
| Pope 2" Wiped Film Evaporator | Refractometer (ABBE Mark II, Fisher handheld) |
| Rotary Evaporator (Buchi 463) | Spectrophotometer (Agilent 8453) |
| Texture Analyzer (Texture Technologies and Stable Micro Systems TA.HD Plus) | Viscometer (Brookfield DV-III Ultra Rheometer, Brookfield Synchro-Lectric) |
| Volume Scanner (VolScan profiler 600) | Water Activity Meters (Aqua Lab series 3 & 4TE) |
| Water Purification System (Millipor Direct-Q3UV) | Tecmaq Bar Former |
Bakery
Tecmaq Bar Former: full unit |
Bar former in pilot plant |
Dough Sheeter - Rhondo Ecostar Reversible |
|
Baxter Rotating Rack Oven |
Vemag |
| Despatch BPA 2-125, Proofer | Blakeslee DB-80 QT Mixer, American Eagle |
| Dough Sheeter – Simplex | Cookie Forming Machine |
Staff and specializations
Management
- Ken Gossen, Executive Director, Food and Bio Processing Branch, 780-980-4860
- Dan Graham, Director, Operations, 780-980-4866
- Michelle Sigvaldson, Director, Food Science and Development, 780-980-4820
- Elizabeth Melnichuk, Food Safety Manager, 780-980-4872
- Sasa Subasic, Facilities Manager, 780-980-4886
- Cody Cunningham, Manager, Business Development, 403-340-7089
Scientists and specialists
- Craig Bansema, Food Scientist – Product Development, 780-980-3516
- Jacky Chan, Food Safety Specialist, 780-980-4369
- Jay Han, Food Scientist – Crops, 780-980-4251
- Daniel Hung, Food Safety Specialist, 780-980-4795
- Stuart Johnston, Laboratory Scientist, 780-980-4228
- Mary Kwan, Food Safety Specialist, 780-980-4863
- Zeb Pietrasik, Food Scientist – Dairy and Crops, 780-980-4862
- Glen Sacro, Food Safety Specialist, 780-980-4221
- Troy Sturzenegger, Food Scientist – Crops, Bakery, 780-980-4362
- Vacant, Food Scientist – Crops
- Arie Vandermeer, Food Scientist – Meat, 780-980-4871
- Haihong Wang, Food Scientist – Meat ,780-980-4721
Technical and support
- Mohannad Badawi, Processing Technologist, 780-980-4876
- Milan Bozic, Maintenance Technologist, 780-980-4889
- Amanda Buchko, Food Science and Development Technologist, 780-980-4893
- Marie Corriveau, Shipper Receiver, 780-980-4377
- Jason (Yiiheng) En, Shipper Receiver
- Gibson Hewlett, Processing Technologist, 780-980-6625
- Wilf Hewlett, Processing Technologist, 780-980-4877
- Marius Iordache, Processing Technologist, 780-980-4875
- Vacant, Branch Administrator
- Vacant, Maintenance Technologist
- Stuart Lindsay, Maintenance Technologist, 780-980-4720
- Patti-Jo Middlebrough, Financial Coordinator, 780-644-3314
- Dindo Quiambao, Maintenance Technologist, 780-980-4223
- Vacant, Section Administrator, Operations
- Vacant, Food Science and Development Technologist
- Vacant, Administrative Support
- Alden Worobec, Processing Technologist, 780-980-4865
Business development
- Ken Fahner, FPDC Project Coordinator, 780-980-4246
- Eileen Kotowich, Farmers Market Specialist, 780-853-8223
- Avery Sales, Business Development Officer, 780-826-8383
- Flavio Salinas, Business Development Officer, 780-422-1194
- Delores Serafin, Program Administrator, 780-427-4611
- Margurite Thiessen, Business Development Officer, 780-968-3513
- Esther Tolani, Administrative Support, 780-643-2241
Contact
Connect with the Food Processing Development Centre:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-986-4793
Fax: 780-986-5138
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Ken Gossen, Executive Director
Phone: 780-980-4860
Email: [email protected]
Dan Graham, Director, Operations
Phone: 780-980-4866
Email: [email protected]
Michelle Sigvaldson, Director, Food Science and Development
Phone: 780-980-4820
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Food Processing Development Centre
6309 45 Street
Leduc, Alberta T9E 7C5
Was this page helpful?
You will NOT receive a reply on your feedback. Do NOT include personal information. To get answers to questions, use Alberta Connects.
Your submissions are monitored by our web team and are used to help improve the experience on Alberta.ca.