Grainswest - Fall 2026

Fall 2026 Grains West 14 THE FARMGATE BY RYYNN RATHWELL • PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRA BIOINDUSTRIES BREWERS’ SPENT GRAIN (BSG) IS a food-safe byproduct of beer produc- tion, but much of it remains a low value, underused resource. A new Canadian project looks to convert this raw material into higher value food ingredients. Launched this spring, the project brings together Terra Bioindustries, Great Western Brewing Company of Saskatoon, SK, and Protein Industries Canada. Its ambitious goal is to create added value from Canadian crops and byproducts while it strengthens the domestic food supply chain, creates jobs and supports sustainable food produc- tion. With Protein Industries Canada’s strategic partnership, Terra’s technology and Great Western’s spent grain supply, the project has the potential to turn a brewing byproduct into new commercial- ly viable ingredients, beverages and food products. Terra is leveraging its proprietary bio-fractionation technology to separate Great Western’s BSG into four ingre- dients: TERRA Protina, a high protein concentrate; TERRA Fibra, a dietary fibre; TERRA Choc, a cocoa extender; and TERRA Malt, a multifunctional barley syrup. Tyler Groeneveld, CEO of Protein In- dustries, said his organization has taken on a project management role. Using its co-investment model to help de-risk and accelerate the work, it aims to advance Canadian food production and value-add- ed agricultural products. The organiza- tion also works with project partners to move the technology from the research and development stage toward the mar- ketplace. Potential uses for spent grain extend well beyond the brewery, said Groen- eveld. Canada produces an estimated 450,000 tonnes of BSG annually, valued at approximately $9 million. With the use of Terra’s technology, the resource could potentially be worth many times this as a source of next-generation, low carbon ingredients, said Groeneveld. More broadly, he added, Terra estimates the opportunity could create revenue as brewers increasingly look to upcycle BSG using such technologies. Terra’s process separates fibres, flavour compounds, proteins and sugars. This al- lows components of the grain to be used for various applications. “The ingredients are more versatile, production is more efficient and nothing is wasted,” said Rebecca Palmer, Terra’s marketing lead, in a project launch announcement. Great Western is putting one of these upcycled byproduct ingredients to work. The brewery is developing a non-alcohol- ic beer using TERRA Malt. Because it is derived from previously brewed malt, its low fermentable sugar content is expect- ed to reduce alcohol production during fermentation. Potential applications identified by the project also include production of specialty brewing yeast, fibre- and protein-fortified ready-to-eat vegan meals and high protein and fibre pet treats. Upcycling BSG could create multiple revenue streams for agrifood businesses. It may also reduce carbon emissions, water use and land use associated with some conventional ingredients—such as raw barley and malt—and create a more resilient supply chain. This creates an opportunity for Great Western to generate more value. The pro- ject will enhance the business’s bottom line, said Brendan Halbgewachs, its CFO, at the same announcement. Halbgewachs also noted the potential to reinvest in innovation, operations and local jobs. The project represents a total invest- ment of $1.1 million, with Protein In- dustries Canada contributing $486,000 and the industry partners providing the remainder. “It’s a great example of how our Canadian companies can seize the opportunity to make it here, creating more from what Canada grows here at home,” said Groeneveld. The project may spark ideas as to how additional Canadi- an companies can make similar gains. Muchtogainfromspentgrain Brewing byproducts produce higher value ingredients The project is built upon four products created by bio-fractionation of spent grain from the brewing process.