McCain Foods is investing approximately $438 million to expand its Coaldale, Alberta, processing facility, which will double the site’s size and output. The expansion will create two new state-of-the-art production lines, as well as elements to promote sustainability.
Once fully operational, the expansion project will more than double the facility’s workforce, creating 260 new jobs. Construction on the expansion is expected to start later this year.
Aligned with McCain’s sustainability commitments, best practices will be implemented to ensure the facility helps the company continue the work toward its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations in half by the end of the decade. The expansion will include wind turbines and solar panels, providing 100% renewable electricity to the site.
In addition, renewable biogas generated at the wastewater treatment facility will be maximized and transported to the steam boilers to offset natural gas demands, and a water recycling system will be implemented to produce clean potable water to be used in the manufacturing process.
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“The development in Alberta marks our largest global investment in our 65-year history, totaling $600 million [Canadian], while underscoring our commitment to the future of agriculture and innovation in Canada,” says Max Koeune, president and chief executive officer, McCain Foods. “This will fuel continued growth for the business, allowing us to serve key markets further by bringing customers high-quality potatoes that begin with our dedicated local farming community.”
Since 2000, McCain Foods has operated a processing facility in Coaldale, which works with potato farmers across southern Alberta and currently employs 225 people.