New AI platform improves energy efficiency and food ingredient production
Canada is advancing its agricultural and food processing sector with a new project focused on artificial intelligence. Protein Industries Canada has partnered with Crush Dynamics and Atomic47 Labs to develop an advanced AI-powered fermentation platform.
This new system uses existing industrial sensors along with machine learning to monitor fermentation conditions in real time. It can track food safety indicators, energy use, and overall process health. The goal is to improve how fermentation is managed by shifting from manual control to a more automated and intelligent system.
The new technology is expected to reduce energy consumption, improve production efficiency, and ensure better product consistency. It also helps food manufacturers make better use of agricultural byproducts by converting them into valuable food ingredients. This supports more sustainable food production and reduces waste.
“With support from Protein Industries Canada, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, Crush Dynamics and its partners will use AI-driven innovation to strengthen Canada’s food supply chain and reinforce our leadership in global food production,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
She added, “Automating industrial fermentation enables Canadian companies to compete internationally, reduce waste and promote more sustainable food production. This is the kind of cutting‑edge technology that advances our government’s commitment to a strong, resilient and sustainable economy for all Canadians.”
The project will integrate artificial intelligence directly into commercial fermentation systems. This will allow real-time monitoring, prediction, and optimization of production processes. As a result, manufacturers can make faster and more accurate decisions while improving food safety and reducing costs.
“Canada’s ability to make more from what we grow relies on our food processors having the tools they need to succeed, and AI systems are an important part of that,” Protein Industries Canada CEO Tyler Groeneveld said. “With the development of a new AI system that helps improve energy usage while reducing waste, Canada’s food processors can make great strides in not just strengthening our domestic food supply chain, but also in improving food options for families here and around the world.”
"This project is about making more from what we already grow," said Kirk Moir, CEO of Crush Dynamics. "We're combining our fermentation technology with advanced AI to help transform agricultural sidestreams into high-value ingredients more efficiently and consistently. It's an important step toward reducing waste, improving sustainability and strengthening Canada's food manufacturing sector."
“This project is about moving fermentation from reactive decision-making to intelligent, real-time control. By combining Crush Dynamics’ fermentation expertise with Atomic47’s AI, digital twin and industrial control capabilities, we are building a platform that can improve consistency, reduce waste, and help Canadian food processors scale more sustainable ingredient production,” said Karen Olsson, CEO of Atomic47 Labs Inc.
Photo Credit: istock-oticki