To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Technology, innovation, and global connectivity drive success in the aerospace industry. Magellan Aerospace Winnipeg’s long-standing partnership with RRC Polytech reinforces that all three factors are often fuelled by the building and nurturing of local relationships. The innovative leaders in their respective fields have been teaming up for over twenty years now and both partners are soaring to new heights as a result of their mutually beneficial collaborations.

Generating almost a billion dollars in revenue in 2024, Magellan Aerospace Limited engineers and manufactures complex components and assemblies for aerospace markets around the world, including advanced products for defence and space markets, as well as complementary specialty products.

Manitoba’s only polytechnic, the province’s largest institute of applied learning and research, offers unparallelled access to specialized facilities and expertise through its Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM).

Together, their applied research projects explore new products and processes with the potential to advance the company’s capabilities on the world stage and build on the College’s reputation as a Canadian research leader while helping to train the workforce of tomorrow.

“By working with Magellan to develop leading-edge technology, we’re not only helping to address their current challenges but also strengthening our capabilities and expanding our capacity to support future research initiatives and industry-driven projects,” said Dr. Gbenga Asala, Research Professional, RRC Polytech. “With experts on both teams regularly working across each other’s facilities and collaborating toward shared goals, knowledge transfer is a massive advantage that can benefit future projects and potentially develop into subsequent applications that support other partners.”

Their latest three-year advanced composite manufacturing project, led by Dr. Asala, is scheduled for completion in the fall. The project aims to integrate automated lay-up and novel forming technologies into Magellan’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. Automating a manual process will create time and workforce efficiency, improve precision and allow real-time inspections for quality control, while establishing RRC Polytech as a hub for access to these technologies and related training.

“This project is a prime example of a collaboration between academia, industry, research organizations and funders that is helping Manitoba and Canada build an ecosystem that supports long-term innovation and economic growth,” said Dr. Asala. “Because our students are gaining hands-on experience through direct participation in the project, we’re also helping to develop the next generation of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in advanced manufacturing.”

Magellan Aerospace Limited is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, however the Winnipeg facility remains its largest operation with over 700 employees, many of them graduates of RRC Polytech, including General Manager, Ron Drepaul.

“The College gave me my start and instilled values I carry with me to this day – collaboration, hard work, and a willingness to learn,” said Drepaul, RRC Polytech’s 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award, one of its highest honours.

“I look at RRC Polytech graduates as a pipeline of fresh talent with the skills and dedication we need for the future of aerospace in Manitoba. And it’s not just technology. We need all kinds of professionals. Business Administration is essential for us. We employ accountants, buyers, contract administrators, and program managers.”

Magellan also invests in RRC Polytech students through work-integrated learning opportunities, awards and bursaries, and mentorship to ensure graduates gain the experience and skillsets required to join their team and continue strengthening their competitive position in the global aerospace market.

“The sky is the limit for RRC Polytech graduates,” he shared. “With the right skills and a drive to keep learning, today’s students can help shape the future of aerospace – and we’re counting on them to do just that.”

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

When the prototype was unveiled in 2012, Manitoba’s premier called the All-Electric Bus “the future of public transport.” He was right: the All-Electric Bus (e-bus) was one of Manitoba’s most impactful advanced-vehicle innovation projects.

This project began in 2010, when the Province of Manitoba signed an MOU with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop and demonstrate electric buses. Five partners assembled to make it happen: the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, MHI, New Flyer Industries (New Flyer) and RRC Polytech. The total value of the project was $3 million, with contributions of $1 million each from the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro and MHI. 

Beyond investing in the e-bus and charging system development, the Province of Manitoba also contributed to the creation of an electric vehicle (EV) technology and education centre at RRC Polytech which was the foundation for the current Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre. VTEC continues to evolve and support EV technology innovation through applied research and training.

“RRC has played a key role alongside NFI and other companies in establishing Manitoba as a leader in heavy equipment and vehicle manufacturing, especially within the zero-emission space,” said Thomas Small, Director of New Product Development at New Flyer. 

“The goal was to bring industry and academia together to demonstrate battery technology and application, including charging. In this project, the partnership was ideal as RRC Polytech became the conduit for the partners to accomplish these goals.”

The prototype bus was built using New Flyer’s advanced Xcelsior glider platform. It then went to VTEC to develop the charging infrastructure, compare different types of batteries and perform the data performance analysis. The final step, a limited-run operational demonstration, was a success. 

It was finally time to start trying to take the e-bus, public.

The City of Winnipeg and the provincial government formed a joint task force on transit electrification with representatives from Manitoba Hydro, New Flyer and RRC Polytech. 

“RRC Polytech was part of the Joint Task Force on Transit Electrification, which assessed the economics and the greenhouse gas emission profiles for electric transit buses relative to diesel buses,” said Jojo Delos Reyes, Program Manager, Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI). 

“One key component of integrating e-buses into the current fleet is providing training. This is where we saw an opportunity to approach Winnipeg Transit about supplemental training courses.”

New Flyer provides an intensive e-bus course to transit maintenance technicians across North America. While this training is immersive, the VTEC team saw a need for reskilling and upskilling transit mechanics and technicians in preparation for the New Flyer course. 

So VTEC worked with Winnipeg Transit to develop the Electric Bus Technology program, which focuses on battery safety and electrical fundamentals. 

“We have delivered this program several times, and we are known for it, specifically thanks to the training aids developed by VTEC in partnership with the industry,” said Delos Reyes.

NFI still regularly works with RRC Polytech to develop and validate its e-bus offerings.

“With the availability of the MotiveLab™, NFI is able to test a number of designs locally rather than move the vehicle and personnel to other test facilities. We also see RRC Polytech as a resource for a sounding board for various design issues we may come across,” said Small.

“As for battery technology, we have many suppliers that we leverage, however, the initial project experience gave us a good foundation in understanding the nuances of the technology from battery chemistry, controls, charging, etc.”

Speaking of batteries, the e-bus project also gave RRC Polytech access to the battery technology that would later be used in the 2021 EV Tundra Buggy project. 

“The EV Tundra Buggy would not have been possible without the batteries from New Flyer,” said Delos Reyes. “Mainly because of the high cost of buying new batteries compared to using free, and safe-to-use repurposed batteries.” 

Currently, the staff and students at VTEC are leading the Electric School Bus Conversion project in partnership with Noble Northern (the company that supported the Tundra Buggy conversion).

“RRC Polytech has been leading the way in EV technology for a number of years and we’re proud to work with our partners to expand the technology to different types of vehicles,” said Delos Reyes. “Reducing emissions and sourcing renewable energies for fuel is one of the ways we are hoping to make a positive impact on our environment and create a sustainable future.”

The RRC Polytech-led College-University Lab to Market Network for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization has launched its first program – Technology Readiness Level Up (TRL^)!

The new TRL^ Program offers training in commercialization and innovation, helping students and researchers take their work to market. The goal of the program is to provide a new understanding and mindset shift regarding the ‘how-to’ of product development, scale up, and advancing technology readiness level toward commercialization.

The program is built for students, recent graduates and postdocs at Canadian institutions (Colleges and Universities) who have a research-based venture or an idea for a research-based venture and/or are interested in advancing the technology readiness of their invention, technology, product or service in any field. This program will help them better assess and navigate product development and the path towards commercialization.

It provides experiential placement in College and Polytechnic applied research environments, including Technology Access Centres (TACs) and les centres collégiaux de transfert detechnologies (CCTTs).

The TRL^ Program is now accepting Expressions of Interest from qualified applicants who want to participate in its Fall 2025 cohort.

Successful applicants will be awarded a $10,000 stipend over the Fall semester funded in part through applications to the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program. The TRL^ program will help applicants to navigate this process at every step of the way.

Click here for more information and to access the EOI

The first round of EOIs for this first cohort will be accepted up until May 9, 2025. For questions about this program or to request more information, please contact TRL@rrc.ca

Join our team and play a vital role in shaping the future of innovation!

RRC Polytech is seeking a dynamic Program Manager to lead the Manitoba regional hub of its collaborative College-University Lab to Market initiative.

This strategic and leadership position is an exciting opportunity to work closely with other post-secondary institutions and a national network of peers and local innovators to support entrepreneurship training and research commercialization across Canada. The $24.1 million federally funded initiative is led by RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation enterprise and comprised of eight regional and three Indigenous hubs.

Key responsibilities include:

• administrative leadership
• program development
• financial and metrics reporting
• engaging the entrepreneurial community
• contributing to national strategies while ensuring program excellence locally
• collaborating with eight regional hubs and three Indigenous entrepreneurship hubs to drive impactful results

Similar positions at regional hubs across the country are being posted to the links below. Postings at the Indigenous hubs will be announced soon, as the network continues to take shape.

If you’re passionate about innovation, leadership, and community-building, this role is your chance to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Apply today:

BC Hub – BCIT

AB Hub North – NAIT

AB Hub South – SAIT

SK Hub – Saskatchewan Polytechnic

MB Hub – RRC Polytech

ON Hub – Humber Polytechnic

QC Hub – Cégep de Thetford

ATL Hub – NSCC 

A new polytechnic network created last month to provide industry partners with better access to applied research expertise and facilities is already digging into how it can support the mining and minerals sector across the prairies.

Designed to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration, the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems or P2INACLE launched its first pilot initiative in Saskatoon in mid-March.

A team from RRC Polytech joined peers from across Western Canada at P2INACLE’S lead institution, Saskatchewan Polytechnic to meet with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) for some great discussion about the challenges that mining firms are facing and idea generation for ways to address them.

In May, P2INACLE researchers will join a larger group of mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to connect and explore specific applied research projects that can solve problems for partners in the mining industry.

“This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the Prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements,” said Al Shpyth, Executive Director of IMII, in last month’s PrairiesCan funding announcement. “We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”

Although mining is the focus of its first initiative, P2INACLE aims to be a catalyst for wide-spread regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for all industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise also include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources.

Manitoba-based partners and businesses are invited to reach out to RRC Polytech’s Research, Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) department to learn more about P2INACLE and how they can connect with the College’s expertise.

rpi@rrc.ca

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Driven by the need for an agricultural safety training tool, a collaboration between RRC Polytech, the University of Manitoba and Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) produced a unique vehicle to help predict, teach and demonstrate tractor roll overs.

The Mini Roll Over Training Tractor (Mini ROTT) was publicly demonstrated at the UM’s Glenlea Research Station in the summer of 2020. Approximately the size of an average lawn tractor but with the appearance of a traditional tractor, the radio-controlled Mini ROTT will be used for teaching and demonstration of roll overs and activities that will enhance students’ and farmers’ understanding of farm safety practices.

“Keystone Agricultural Producers is proud to be a part of the roll over training tractor (ROTT) project through our Manitoba Farm Safety Program. This innovative tool will promote the need for safety awareness and training across our sector to reduce the risk of serious injury in the operation of tractors and large equipment on farms across the province,” said the late and legendary Bill Campbell, then President, KAP.

“The partnership we have forged with the University of Manitoba and Red River College (Polytechnic) shows the importance of our industry to this province and showcases some of the brightest minds and ingenuity we have here in Manitoba.”

The project was initiated by the UM’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences to supplement hands-on safety workshops developed for diploma students and farmers.  The UM teamed up with KAP’s Manitoba Farm Safety Program (now known as FarmSafe Manitoba) staff to explore the concept of a remote-controlled tractor as an interactive training tool for teaching roll over prevention strategies.

UM and KAP then engaged with RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace & Manufacturing (TACAM) and Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC) to complete the fabrication process. The research staff at TACAM designed and built the tractor, with support from the VTEC team on the electronics and systems control components.

“Working with Keystone Agricultural Producers and the University of Manitoba on the roll over training tractor (ROTT) is the perfect demonstration of the value of applied research: providing tangible solutions to real-world problems,” said Fred Meier, President & CEO, RRC Polytech.

“The ROTT highlights the skill and expertise of our TACAM and VTEC teams. We’re proud to play a role in farm safety awareness and supporting the agriculture industry in Manitoba.”

Funding for the project came from a variety of sources, including the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Endowment Fund, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through RRC Polytech’s TACAM and VTEC-Innovation Enhancement grants, and Keystone Agricultural Producers.

RRC Polytech, FarmSafe Manitoba and UM staff continue to collaborate on expanded tractor training and developing programs aimed at creating a safer agri-food industry. In fact, the Mini ROTT is currently back in the Smart Factory at NDC as the TACAM team makes some necessary upgrades. It will then return to the Glenlea Research Station where it can be utilized for farm safety training for post-secondary students and Manitoba farmers.

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) has been researching air tightness and methods of testing it since a 2012 pilot project, which means the partners who turn to BETAC for air tightness testing engage some of the province’s leading expertise in the field.

In the fall of 2021, BETAC completed an air tightness test at Gordon Bell High School, whose building features walls and mechanical systems that are more than 50 years old. The results provided insights into cost-effective measures for reducing energy usage at Gordon Bell, prior to its renovation.

Chris Buzunis, the Province of Manitoba’s Senior Energy Engineer and project manager for the Gordon Bell retrofit, says BETAC’s pre- and post-renovation air tightness testing has proven valuable on many projects like this.

“It helps identify problem areas to address at the start of a project and has also been a fantastic quality control tool when construction is complete. We have identified many deficiencies that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.”

BETAC offers a variety of non-destructive tests that target specific building sizes and challenges. The process usually starts with a walkthrough to assess door locations, HVAC intake and exhaust grills, power supply, and whether the building can be isolated.

During the test itself, powerful fans pressurize and depressurize the building, while equipment measures how much air is moved into or out of the building and tracks the corresponding pressure difference across the building enclosure. 

The results of the envelop test speak to the general durability of the building, and the continuity and performance of the air barrier. A second set of tests, conducted with all intentional openings left open, measures the energy performance of the building more directly. At this stage, testers may deploy smoke pencils and infrared thermography cameras to identify specific air leakage pathways.

All together, these tests can take anywhere from several hours to three days, depending on the size and complexity of the building. The results deliver quantifiable data that can help owners of existing buildings locate problem areas and determine the costs and benefits of a retrofit. For new buildings, a final air tightness test can complement air leakage testing performed throughout construction.

“Collaboration and coordination are critical to the success of all projects in the construction sector regardless of size and scope, so BETAC is proud to play any role required to support our partners in reaching their goals of delivering the highest quality results on time and on budget,” said Dr. Alireza Kaboorani, Director of RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre.

Demand for tests like these will only increase as more cities and governments incorporate air tightness and energy efficiency into their building codes and green mandates. In addition to air leak testing, BETAC has committed to ongoing public outreach efforts to share the findings of its research. The results of BETAC’s work continue to inform the Province of Manitoba’s Green Building Policy and low carbon initiatives.

PrairiesCan invests $899,500 in Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE)

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – PrairiesCan is investing $899,500 into the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE). P2INACLE will drive social, economic and technological innovation across western Canada by providing businesses access to polytechnic facilities, equipment and research expertise. P2INACLE members include Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) — leading polytechnic institutions on the Canadian Prairies.
 
P2INACLE, led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will launch its first pilot with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) this spring. This pilot will bring together polytechnics and industry partners from across the Prairies to develop a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects. The goal is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals sector in Western Canada.

“Success on the Prairies has always been built on cooperation. That’s why our government is supporting P2INACLE— a partnership bringing Prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions. By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the Prairies,” said the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan.
 
“Thank you to PrairiesCan for funding this polytechnic-powered, applied research network to help grow innovation for Western Canadian industry sectors,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO. “We are excited to share our expertise as the P2INACLE lead. This funding will enable P2INACLE to address mining industry issues swiftly and efficiently, providing access to a wide range of experts and quickly distributing funds.”
 
IMII is a hub for expertise and innovation in Saskatchewan’s minerals industry, driving change and creating solutions. With PrairiesCan support, P2INACLE researchers, along with IMII and their partners, will come together in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in March to launch the collaborative applied research network. In May, P2INACLE researchers will join mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to learn about the challenges faced by the mining industry. At this event P2INACLE members will team up with industry on various applied research projects.
 
“We are excited to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project, a significant step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within Western Canada’s mining and minerals sector,” says Al Shpyth, executive director of IMII. “This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the Prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements. We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”
 
This partnership with IMII will promote cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on industry needs and solutions. Through P2INACLE, industry will also have increased access to high-quality personnel and trainees, facilitating the implementation of new innovations.
 
“The P2INACLE initiative aligns with RRC Polytech’s areas of strength in clean tech, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources. We believe our efforts in this cross-prairies partnership, led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will help Canada’s mining and minerals sector to be globally competitive,” says Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research, Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech. “P2INACLE enhances opportunities across the value chain by leveraging the collective capabilities of state of the art infrastructure, research expertise and talent at our prairie polytechnics.”
 
Manitoba-based partners and businesses are invited to reach out to RRC Polytech’s Research, Partnerships & Innovation department to learn more about P2INACLE and how they can connect with the College’s expertise.
 
P2INACLE aims to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration. It acts as a catalyst for regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources.

Learn more at saskpolytech.ca/p2inacle.

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

QDoc is a free, provincially funded software application that connects patients to doctors using real-time video. This allows patients in Manitoba, Nunavut and NW Ontario to access non-emergent healthcare from the comfort of their home, potentially saving hours of driving or waiting time. 

Looking back, Ralph Dueck, Chair of RRC Polytech’s ACE Project Space, says, “The collaboration with QDoc stands out because of both the impact and the innovation in healthcare that it brings to the local community.”

QDoc has rapidly expanded since launching in May 2022. The service sees over 4500 patients a month and saves 550 ER visits a month on average, and those numbers keep increasing month-over-month, according to QDoc. While they initially only had doctors available, in early 2024, QDoc completed a pilot project that brought nurse practitioners onto the platform. Now, QDOC has over 200 local healthcare providers. 

RRC Polytech got involved back in June 2021. With tight timelines and many projects going at once, QDoc co-founders Dr. Norman Silver and David Berkowits reached out to existing partners at the College to see if students could help with the software development. It was a perfect opportunity for the ACE Project Space, an interactive workspace where students, entrepreneurs and other companies can collaborate to bring ideas to life.

“The partnership not only allowed Red River students to develop software development skills but also benefited our company by introducing fresh perspectives,” says Blessings Manatsa, QDoc’s Software Developer Team Lead.

Working with ACE Project Space is unique because students lead and act as consultants rather than joining the staff and working within their structure. For QDoc, RRC Polytech students led four projects, including building a scheduling assistant that created interconnections between the app and free time in doctor calendars, using optical character recognition (OCR) to automatically upload patient health cards directly into the application and user testing of the online platform. 

“While they were in the learning phase, their contributions sparked ideas and inspired changes, some of which were ultimately implemented. Their efforts reflect how collaboration with emerging talent can drive innovation,” says Blessings.

Since working with RRC Polytech to build out its application, QDoc has expanded its partnership with the College to other areas, namely business administration and operations. In fact, many of QDoc’s current operations team came from the Business Administration and Business Management internship programs.

Karen Kabel, the Associate Dean of Creative Arts and Applied Computer Education at RRC Polytech, says all the leaders at the College are very proud of their students and QDoc. How could they not be? In 2024 alone, QDoc took home The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Prairies Award, the Spirit of Winnipeg Technology Award, the Digital Health Canada Community Leader Award and was one of the CIO Awards Canada winners.

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Since its launch in 2022, Big Mountain Foods Soy-Free Tofu has become a bestseller for the company.

Most plant-based foods are made using soy, wheat, and yellow or green peas, so consumers are demanding a wider range of plant-based food products. Big Mountains Foods Soy-Free Tofu filled a gap in the market by being free from all common allergens, made with Canadian-grown fava beans and loaded with plant based proteins. It presents an alternative for people allergic to soy that are looking for the indulgence and benefits of tofu as this product presents the same taste, colour, functionality, and texture as traditional tofu. 

It’s the world’s first allergen-free tofu, which is probably why this groundbreaking product took home Best in Produce and Best in Innovation and Originality at the 31st Annual Canadian Retail Grand Prix Awards in 2024.

RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) first developed the prototype and the bench top production process for fava tofu in 2019 alongside several research and industry partners as part of The Prairie Plant Protein Project. Canada is one of the largest producers of pulses and lentils globally, and the research project aimed to bring more plant protein consumer-packaged goods to market.

“We used different protein extraction methods and specialized equipment to make new types of tofu using Manitoba-grown beans, soy and hemp. The fava tofu had the best texture,” explained Elena Gomez Haro, PRK’s Industry Liaison Manager.

This research provided fundamental knowledge about how different plant proteins work as tofu and highlighted value-added uses for their by-products. Prairie Fava, a partner of the PRK since 2016, was an ingredient supplier and industrial partner in the project.

Then, in 2020, Big Mountain Foods approached PRK to commercialize the prototype by conducting product and process validation with their newly purchased state-of-the art equipment. The PRK team supported Big Mountain Foods in its process validation work and adjusted the product to their production capacity and facilities. Thanks to an investment from Protein Industries Canada (PIC), this partnership grew into an ongoing one, and PRK became Big Mountain Foods’s product development partner. 

“The technical knowledge provided by the Prairie Research Kitchen team was crucial to our product development,” says Jasmine Byrne, President of Big Mountain Foods. “From many refinement trials to on-site troubleshooting, their expertise helped guide us to achieve the results we’d been looking for.”

The partnership turned out to be good not only for Manitoba but for the whole country since Big Mountain Foods now sells this product at over 3000 stores across Canada and the United States. Gomez Haro says the initial fava tofu prototype wouldn’t have been possible without previous product development work with Prairie Fava and the contributions of RRC Polytech students.

“Culinary students worked on recipes and explored creative ways to use fava while following a scientific method to ensure the results were backed by research. Life Sciences students also helped develop methodologies and techniques for instrumental testing,” says Gomez Haro. “Their contributions added immense value at every stage of the process.”

Internal collaboration across all areas of the College is one of RRC Polytech’s strengths, which maximizes facilities and expertise to provide clients with solutions.