SunOpta Announces New Single Serve Soymilk Production

Production of organic beverages at SunOpta's aseptic packaging operation continues to grow as plant capabilities and capacities are expanded, with production volumes approaching record levels.

SunOpta Inc. has commenced production and supply of a new shelf stable single serve soymilk for a major global retailer.

This soymilk is packaged in the Tetra Pak Prisma package utilizing vertically integrated SunOpta soy ingredients and a third party co-packaging partner. This business is expected to add an incremental $10 - $12 million in revenue per year upon achieving forecast production targets.

Production of organic beverages at SunOpta's aseptic packaging operation continues to grow as plant capabilities and capacities are expanded, with production volumes approaching record levels. In addition, volumes processed via third party co-packaging partners using vertically integrated SunOpta soy ingredients continues to grow as the Company expands the range of its product offering.

Allan Routh, President of the SunOpta Grains and Foods Group said, "This new business launching a single serve soymilk expands our partnership with a significant retailer utilizing our 'Field to Table' production expertise to provide consumers with a great value organic soymilk. We have realized excellent growth in this relationship and are very appreciative of the great consumer success this business has experienced."

SunOpta's vertically integrated soymilk model is integrated from soy bean sourcing through to packaged products, ensuring SunOpta's control of quality and organic certification and providing direct traceability from the farm gate to the retail shelf. In order to fulfill this new business plus current needs, soy beans are sourced and initially processed at SunOpta's facilities in Hope, Minnesota and Moorhead, Minnesota. The processed soy beans are then delivered to SunOpta's ingredient plants in Alexandria, Minnesota, Heuvelton, New York and Afton, Wyoming where they are converted into liquid concentrated soy base. The concentrated soy base is then transported to SunOpta's aseptic packaging facility and third party co-pack partners for blending, packaging and subsequent delivery to customers.

Source: Nutrition Horizon