Roquette CEO Jean-Marc Gilson will discuss sustainable development and technological innovation at ABIC 2017’s harvest dinner event on Sept. 27.
Roquette is a family-owned global leader in nutrition and health, employing over 8,000 people in more than 100 countries. Gilson, who took leadership of the company in 2014, has a technical background and has focused his international career on specialty products and materials since 1999.
Last January, Roquette announced their plans to build the world’s largest pea processing plant near Portage la Prairie. This facility, representing an investment of over $400 million, will respond to a growing demand for plant-based protein around the world and create approximately 150 permanent jobs in Manitoba.
“The establishment of this plant is the largest global investment in pea protein processing, ever, and it reinforces our global leadership in food, nutrition and health,” said Gilson. “We chose Manitoba because this province has excellent access to crop availability, skilled labour, a competitive supply of renewable energy and a business-friendly environment.”
The plant is one of the largest private sector investments in Manitoba’s history. Roquette’s investment calls attention to Manitoba’s protein strategy, which supports the province’s competitive agri-business community and promotes sustainable growth opportunities.
“There is an increasing global demand for sustainably-grown, healthy and affordable protein,” said the Honourable Ralph Eichler, Minister of Agriculture for the Province of Manitoba. “Roquette’s historical investment and expansion into Manitoba represents a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on this demand. Our government is proud to partner with Roquette as they expand their capacity and establish themselves as a global leader in protein production.”
ABIC 2017 was organized in partnership and collaboration between the Life Science Association of Manitoba (LSAM) and Manitoba Agriculture. Manitoba is a first-time host for this global meeting promoting innovation in bioscience for sustainable food, feed, fibre and fuel security as the climate changes.
The conference will bring policy makers, researchers and industry leaders from around the world to collaborate, communicate and innovate. This three-day conference will provide delegates an opportunity to learn about solutions in food security and agricultural sustainability firsthand.
“Solutions start here, in friendly Manitoba,” said Tracey Maconachie, LSAM President. “Across the globe, we’re known as the home of agriculture. Our province is in a prime position to showcase how agricultural technology can transform the way we feed the world. At ABIC 2017, we’re building partnerships beyond our provincial borders and using this meeting as an incubator for forward-thinking ideas to be born.”
ABIC 2017 will take place from Sept. 25-28, 2017 at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Conference passes and individual harvest dinner tickets are available for purchase online at: abic2017.ca.
