SunOpta Announces Further Expansion of Modesto Aseptic Operation

10 Sep 2014 --- SunOpta Inc., a leading global company focused on natural and organic foods, announced that in order to meet continued customer demand, it will further expand its Modesto, California aseptic processing and packaging operation.

Following the announcement of the addition of a third processor in Modesto which will be commissioned during the first quarter of 2015, SunOpta will add two multi-serve (liter/quart) fillers, expanding capacity and furthering the broad range of packaging formats it provides. The first new filler is expected to be in production by the end of fiscal 2014, with the second being commissioned in April 2015.

The Modesto aseptic processing and packaging operation was initially commissioned in 2010, and since that time has undergone a number of expansions to meet continued growing demand.  The operation is strategically paired with SunOpta's aseptic processing and packaging operation in Alexandria, Minnesota, and when completed, the expansions are expected to increase annual aseptic beverage packaging capacity to more than 500 million packages.

Steve Bromley, Chief Executive Officer, SunOpta Inc. commented, "Our integrated aseptic platform is currently experiencing tremendous growth. This expansion will further enable SunOpta to grow in low-acid aseptic categories including non-dairy, dairy, nutritional beverages, teas, broths and others, serving a wide range of customers and addressing growing consumer demand for 'convenient and on-the-go' healthy food options. The continued investment in our aseptic platform is directly aligned with our core strategies to aggressively grow our value-added ingredients and packaged foods portfolio and to leverage our integrated platform in becoming a pure play natural and organic foods company."

SunOpta's vertically integrated aseptic beverage capabilities are unique and utilize operations incorporating raw material sourcing through ingredient production and finished packaged products, ensuring control of quality and organic certification, as well as providing traceability from the farm to finished packaged product. Current production capabilities include soymilk, rice beverage, almond beverage, hemp milk, sunflower milk, ancient grain beverages, coconut based beverages, nutritional beverages, teas, dairy products and broths among others.