-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org)
McCain Foods, a Canadian frozen food manufacturer, is set to double the size of its facility in Coaldale, Alberta, in a project that will create 260 new jobs. The $600m investment represents the company’s largest ever global investment in its 65-year history and confirms its commitment to food production and agriculture in Canada. The expansion includes the installation of two new state-of-the-art production lines and renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines and solar panels. The Coaldale facility currently employs 225 people and works with potato farmers across Southern Alberta. Construction on the expansion is expected to begin later this year.
McCain Foods’ President & CEO, Max Koeune, said the development in Alberta underscores the company’s commitment to the future of agriculture and innovation in Canada, and will fuel continued growth for the business. Best practices will be implemented to ensure the facility helps McCain work towards its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations in half by the end of the decade. The expansion will also maximize renewable biogas generated at the wastewater treatment facility and transport it to the steam boilers to offset natural gas demands.
McCain Foods has set ambitious sustainability targets to be achieved by 2025 and 2030. The company aims to reduce the use of carbon dioxide per tonne from potato farming by 25% and to improve water-use efficiency by 15% in water-stressed regions by 2025. By 2030, McCain Foods aims to achieve a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and to use 100% renewable electricity, while phasing out coal. The company also aims to reduce scope 3 emissions by 30%. Furthermore, McCain Foods has committed to eliminating the use of palm oil from its frying operations by 2025. These targets demonstrate McCain Foods’ commitment to sustainability and its determination to reduce its environmental impact.
