New Uses for Oat Byproducts
Open Innovation Challenge:
As a global food and beverage company with a sustainability focus, we at SunOpta are looking to bring oat byproducts, specifically our new ingredient OatGold™, to market in new and exciting ways. We are seeking partners to help commercialize and launch products utilizing this versatile, fully upcycled ingredient.
Reason for Seeking External Innovation Partnership:
SunOpta has spent over two decades manufacturing plant-based ingredients such as innovative beverage bases, plant-based proteins, and fiber powders. With the recent growth in the plant-based food and beverage space, we’ve made significant investments in expanded capacity, specifically focused on our proprietary Oatbase extraction process. Oats are being utilized across several plant-based categories, and it is the fastest growing plant-based milk segment due to its neutral taste and credibility as one of the most sustainable plant-based beverages. The result of our increased Oatbase production is more OatGold™!
SunOpta’s new oat protein (OatGold™) is a completely upcycled ingredient made using byproduct from our Oatbase manufacturing process. Offered in both conventional and organic formats, this smooth powder ingredient can be used in a wide range of food applications. OatGold™ is high in protein and a good source of fiber. Its neutral taste makes it well suited for dips and spreads, baked goods and baking mixes, savory snacks, sweet treats, nutritional beverages and smoothies, and protein or fiber blends. The options are endless!
We’ve fully commercialized the OatGold™ ingredient and are ready for partners to help bring it to the masses! It is currently offered in a ready-to-eat powder format in 50LB poly-lined kraft bags. In addition to being fully upcycled, the product is vegan, non-GMO, kosher, gluten free, and free of all major allergens.
Scope of Solution Space:
Solutions can span virtually any product category or channel with potential commercial application. SunOpta has the ability to sell OatGold™ in 50LB bags as an ingredient to other manufacturers to use in finished products if desired. We can also utilize our manufacturing network to launch finished products within our current capabilities. With our brand agnostic approach, we are open to going to market in a variety of ways from co-manufacturing, to branded, or private label. Our R&D experts have even developed an OatGold™ recipe application book showcasing the broad range of potential product applications. Intended to spark inspiration, this recipe book can be used as a starting point for product ideation sessions. We are open to collaborating on potential commercial opportunities, leaning on the expertise from our in house R&D team as needed.
Solutions Not of Interest:
Due to OatGold not being fully water soluble, this product would not be well suited for beverage applications unless the product is intended to be thicker in texture such as nutritional shakes or smoothies.
Company Background:
SunOpta Inc. is a leading global company focused on helping make the planet and its people healthier through plant-based foods and beverages and fruit-based foods and beverages. SunOpta specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, non-GMO food products. Integrated from seed through packaged products, SunOpta has a primary focus on strategic vertically integrated business models. Throughout its history, SunOpta has evolved to become a strong, vibrant organization with a robust commitment to organic, non-GMO and specialty foods along with environmental responsibility.