September 29/Toronto/GlobeNewswire -- SunOpta Inc. announced it intends to further expand its vertically integrated non-dairy beverage processing and packaging capabilities with the expansion of the company's Modesto, Cal., operations.

The expansion will include the addition of further processing technologies which are expected to leverage existing packaging capabilities at the operation and increase the capacity at the Modesto plant by approximately 40%, and the company's overall aseptic non-dairy beverage and broth capacity by approximately 10%. The expansion will commence in the fourth quarter of 2011, with full capacity expected to be on-line early in the third quarter of 2012.

The company contends the expansion is required to meet growing demand for aseptic non-dairy beverages, broths and soups from existing customers, plus accommodate the production of new private label non-dairy beverages that are scheduled to be launched with a large club-format retailer in early 2012.