SAINT-HYACINTHE, QUEBEC — Canadian poultry and pork processor and distributor Olymel is teaming up with Cintech agroalimentaire, an R&D supplier. The companies agreed to share spaces, human resources and materials at Cintech’s latest facilities in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Additionally, Olymel will set up a chemistry lab in the building.

"By centralizing Olymel's chemistry lab in our new building, Cintech is taking an important step as an ecosystems builder,” said Jean Lacroix, chief executive officer at Cintech. “This shows that it's possible to pool our equipment and expertise for the purpose of accelerating agri-food innovation in Quebec so we can, among other things, improve our food self-sufficiency. Resource sharing and mutual aid are an integral part of Cintech's culture, and this initiative with Olymel is just the beginning of a mutually beneficial collaboration."

By the end of January, Olymel will permanently implement its lab concept, which will function to accelerate agri-food innovation through added resource sharing.

“This innovative venture is a first for Canada, and we hope it leads to a new approach in pre-competitive research and innovation,” said Sylvain Fournaise, vice president of Food Safety and Technical Services and Research & Development at Olymel. “This agreement will also allow Olymel to enjoy greater autonomy in the nutritional analysis of foods that the company produces, and it will provide long-term benefits for the entire agri-food industry in Quebec."

Cintech said it plans to attain similar partnerships and resource pooling with more companies in the future.