RICHMOND, BC, March 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., MP for Delta—Richmond East and Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced investments totalling over $27.3 million for 10 clean technology projects in British Columbia, which will support jobs, economic growth and the environment. The projects announced today are benefitting from the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan investment in Sustainable Development Technology Canada's (SDTC) SD Tech Fund™.
These development and demonstration projects will help reduce emissions, protect the environment and generate high-quality jobs:
- West Fraser Mills Ltd. based in Vancouver will receive $6,100,000 to construct Canada's first LignoForce commercial demonstration recovery plant, where pulp mill waste will be recovered and used in a variety of applications;
- BBCP Conductor Inc. in Richmond will receive $3,660,000 to develop a way to add nanotubes to aluminum wires, making them stronger and reducing the amount of electricity lost due to resistance;
- David Bromley Engineering in Burnaby will receive $3,225,000 towards the development of a new system for filtering wastewater, lowering energy use by 65% and the use of chemicals by 86%;
- Carbon Engineering Ltd. will receive $3,000,000 to conduct a demonstration project in Squamish, testing its new technology for extracting carbon dioxide from the air. This captured CO2 can be used to produce ultra-low carbon fuels as well as for enhanced oil recovery;
- ZincNyx Energy Solutions in Vancouver will receive $2,900,000 towards developing a battery that runs on zinc and air that could augment or even displace diesel generation in our power grid;
- Saltworks Technologies Inc. in Vancouver will receive $2,500,000 for developing two processes for treating water that could cut electricity consumption in half and reduce chemicals used in the oil sands;
- SWITCH Materials Inc. in Burnaby will receive $2,500,000 towards creating a new glazing for car windows that reduces the need for air-conditioning, which will save energy, reduce emissions and, in the case of electric cars, extend how far they can be driven;
- Terramera Inc. in Vancouver will receive $1,985,000 to develop a Neem-oil based pesticide with extended shelf life that works better against target pests. This will fill an important gap as synthetic pesticides are phased out;
- Polymer Research Technologies in Vancouver will receive $1,116,826 to demonstrate its innovative technology that converts waste polyurethane foam into a petroleum-based product called polyol that can be re-used in other products; and
- Unit Electrical Engineering Ltd in Okanagan Falls will receive $344,217 together with its consortium, to build lighter, more efficient drivetrains for mass transit systems.
Quick Facts
- Canada possesses one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the world with just under two-thirds of its electricity coming from renewable sources — the highest in the G7.
- In 2013, Canada was the second-fastest growing clean energy market in the G20.
- Canada's per-capita GHG emissions are now among their lowest level since tracking began.
- In 2013, the Government of Canada announced $325 million over eight years in support for SDTC for development and demonstration projects resulting in a cleaner environment.
- SDTC's SD Tech Fund™ has supported 269 projects with $684 million from the federal government funding.
- 57 of the more mature companies supported by SDTC have received $2.5 billion in follow-on financing as of December 2013, meaning that for every dollar invested by Canada in these companies, the marketplace has responded with $14 of private capital.
- The SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil, providing solutions to key Canadian industries that increase efficiency and enhance environmental responsibility.
Quotes
"Our government is focused on what matters most to Canadians – creating jobs and opportunities. Our government is committed to projects aimed at growing our economy while contributing to a cleaner environment. By developing our resources responsibly and advancing clean energy technology, the projects announced today will create jobs and improve innovation opportunities in British Columbia and across Canada."
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay
Minister of National Revenue
"The projects announced today are great examples of the Canadian clean tech initiatives and true entrepreneurship that drive SDTC's portfolio. By supporting these innovative technologies, SDTC is investing in efficiency and environmental performance — which translates into a cleaner environment. We look forward to working with these companies to get their products closer to commercialization."
Jane Pagel
Acting CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
"West Fraser is proud to be the recipient of SDTC funding in support of the world's first commercial demonstration LignoForce System™ lignin recovery plant. Working with FPInnovations and NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd, the project will use Canadian- developed proprietary technology and will also explore opportunities for the use of extracted lignin in new, marketable higher value products. This process is innovative in our industry and we are excited to explore new markets and commercial opportunities for this novel, renewable bioproduct. It further reinforces the competitiveness of our operations and supports rewarding careers in our business".
Ted Seraphim
President and Chief Executive Officer, West Fraser Mills Ltd.
"SDTC's funding support for Project Green Conductor recognizes the beneficial impact on the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of the Canadian electrical industry. SDTC's support of this project will accelerate the commercialization process for BBCP and will drive electrical energy efficiency, reduce GHG's, and contribute to Canada's sustainable economic growth and international climate change leadership."
Bruce Bingham
CEO, BBCP Conductor Inc.
"The SDTC funding is a key driver in the commercialization of technology focused at improving the efficiencies and effectiveness of natural resource and industrial development projects both in Canada and throughout the world. The process for approval is rigorous and provides the investment community with a foundation of confidence to provide further capital input we feel very accomplished in our efforts to be approved by SDTC for this significant investment."
David Bromley
President, David Bromley Engineering Ltd.
"We are very excited at Carbon Engineering to have SDTC's support for our direct air capture demonstration project. We're using SDTC funds to build and operate a pilot plant that captures CO2 directly from ambient air. Our next step is commercial deployment, where we'll use our technology to provide atmospheric CO2 for production of ultra low-carbon transportation fuels. The SDTC team has been very helpful since the get-go, and the commitment of SDTC funding has been key to our current pilot demonstration project."
Adrian Corless
CEO, Carbon Engineering Ltd.
"We are pleased with the validation of our technology and the $2.9 million support from SDTC as part of a $10 million project to demonstrate an advanced regenerative flow battery. This innovative green technology can be scaled from the kilowatt to the megawatt range in modular increments, providing energy firming for renewables (wind and solar), energy storage for remote micro-grids, as well as the more traditional battery backup usage."
Suresh Singh
President & CEO, ZincNyx Energy Solutions, Inc.
"SDTC support has helped Saltworks develop and commercialize advanced water treatment solutions much needed by industry. Our SaltMaker and ElectroChem technologies treat wastewaters to produce freshwater for a range of applications while reducing waste, energy requirements, and emissions. Saltworks is proud to have SDTC behind these green technologies which are creating high tech jobs while helping Canadian industry improve competitiveness and lower environmental impact. With SDTC's support, Saltworks and Canada can become the world leader in water treatment."
Joshua Zoshi
President & Founder, Saltworks Technologies Inc.
"SWITCH is very pleased to receive SDTC funding in support of our automotive smart window demonstration project with key OEM and supply chain partners. Vehicle manufacturers are turning to innovative new technologies to meet ever increasing fuel economy standards and we believe SWITCH offers a solution that is both effective and economical, while delivering exciting new features for consumers."
Doug Wiggin
CEO, SWITCH Materials Inc.
"Terramera has developed a unique biopesticide technology with the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate use of chemical pesticides. STDC is a global leader in supporting green technologies. Their recognition through funding our project is both appreciated and critical to supporting our technology's application to broad scale agricultural use. This support will accelerate field trial activities and commercialization, allowing us to overcome the challenges and realize the benefits of eliminating toxic chemical pesticides."
Karn Manhas
President and Founder, Terramera Inc.
"Thanks to investments from the Government of Canada through SDTC, Polymer Research Technologies is able to do its part to reduce nearly 5 million tonnes of waste polyurethane and offers a sustainable solution to a diverse polyurethane industry. This industry is experiencing high prices of virgin polyol feedstocks, directly linked to the price of oil. Our new process will help recycle their waste streams while significantly mitigating their high feedstock costs and benefiting the environment."
Kambiz Taheri
CTO and Founder, Polymer Research Technologies
"Thanks to support from the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada, revolutionary lightweight and ultra-efficient propulsion for transit systems that is being developed by Unit Electrical Engineering Ltd. and our consortium partner Bombardier Transportation Inc. will soon be available for rail vehicles at home and abroad." --
Mark Burleigh
President and CEO, Unit Electrical Engineering Ltd.
Related Products
- Backgrounder – Government of Canada and SDTC Announce New Clean Technology Funding in British Columbia
SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Media may contact: Alexandra Lemieux, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 613-996-2007; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, 613-992-4447; Kelly Crowe, Communications, SDTC, 613-234-6313 ext 243; The general public may contact: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. EST, Telephone: 613-995-0947, E-mail: [email protected]; Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan); NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media
Share this article