Vancouver: The Government of Canada has committed to banning single-use plastics and is encouraging innovators to develop alternatives. We are dedicated to creating jobs and driving innovation by investing in climate solutions.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., today announced a $1-million investment to NEXE Innovations, formerly GCUP Technology Corporation, as part of the second phase of a Bioplastics Challenge aimed at helping small businesses reduce pollution by turning forest-based residue into sustainable domestic plastic material.
With this funding, NEXE Innovations will be able to focus on Phase 2 of their project, which supports:
scaling up the manufacturing process of their Nespresso-compatible pods; and
improving the compatibility of bioplastics derived from wood-based biomass for early-stage commercialization.
As part of Phase 1, NEXE developed a completely plant-based and compostable single-use coffee pod from bioplastic wood fibre.
Natural Resources Canada collaborated with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop this challenge as part of the Domestic Plastics Challenge under the federal government’s Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC). ISC is a $100-million program dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing innovative and sustainable solutions to complex environmental challenges. The Government of Canada may then act as a first customer, helping these small businesses to commercialize their innovations, scale up their business and create good jobs for Canadians.
Clean innovation benefits our economy, our communities and our well-being. Investments in bioplastics present an array of new opportunities in the forest industry while fighting global pollution and embracing a sustainable way of life for the future.
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