Lactalis Canada, SOFIAC invest US$7.3M on decarbonization project

USA – Lactalis Canada, a subsidiary of the France-based Lactalis Group, and an investment platform, SOFIAC, have partnered to launch a decarbonization project at Lactalis Canada’s manufacturing facilities.

Representing an investment of over $10 million funded by SOFIAC, the project aligns with both partners’ sustainability objectives.

SOFIAC enables Lactalis Canada to implement comprehensive energy efficiency and decarbonization projects without requiring upfront capital investment.

Through SOFIAC’s turnkey model, the company is deploying high-efficiency systems and targeted energy-saving measures across its facilities, supported by financial incentives and technical expertise.

These initiatives are expected to reduce overall energy consumption by 11% and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 28% at these two facilities, equivalent to removing 1,700 cars from the road annually.

A key component of the project is the implementation of a 1.6 MW winter peak demand management strategy, which optimizes electricity use during high-demand periods and improves overall system efficiency.

Together, these actions contribute to meaningful reductions in utility costs and environmental impact, while supporting Lactalis Canada’s broader sustainability objectives.

“We are proud to support a major Canadian agri-food player in its decarbonization journey. This partnership perfectly illustrates our ability to deliver high-impact environmental projects while creating tangible value for our clients.

“With this new initiative, SOFIAC reaffirms its ability to deliver high-value decarbonization projects that generate both environmental and financial benefits for Canadian businesses,” said Christian G. Brosseau, President and CEO, SOFIAC.

A focus area of Lactalis Canada — the company behind well-known brands such as Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, P’tit Québec, Balderson, IÖGO, and Lactantia, is reduction of its energy and natural gas consumption across its operations in Canada.

This initiative in Canada will contribute to the Lactalis Group’s Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) commitment globally to reduce its absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46.2% by 2030, using 2019 as the base year.

John Bayliss, Director of Energy & Environment at Lactalis Canada, expressed that the company was pleased to join forces with SOFIAC on a project that closely aligned with its wider sustainability and environmental goals.

He noted that SOFIAC’s approach was particularly compelling due to its technical expertise and keen awareness of both operational and environmental challenges. According to Bayliss, the partnership would help accelerate Lactalis Canada’s emissions reduction efforts without disrupting its operations.

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