Canadian Companies Tackling TRWP Microplastics Receive Government Support

“Our Government is committed to ending plastic waste in Canada. We need smart innovations to create a more circular economy to recycle the plastics we consume. By providing funding to small- and medium-sized businesses through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges, we are giving a boost to the development of technology to address plastic pollution and help move Canada toward its goal of zero plastic waste.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Our government is supporting small- and medium-sized businesses by giving them the opportunity to push the limits of innovation and tackle major challenges such as plastic pollution. This funding will help innovative companies thrive while providing solutions to the auto sector ecosystem to mitigate tire wear and contributing to Canada’s transition to a cleaner and greener future.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Applied Quantum Materials (AQM) is very pleased to have been recognized as one of the Phase 1 winners of the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge. Building upon our experience as a global leader in the design and production of silicon-based nanomaterials, this Challenge validates our plan to incorporate AQM’s biomaterial additive into the manufacture of tires to improve their durability and thereby reduce the release of microplastics into the environment.  A related goal is to reduce vehicular rolling resistance, which will reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. At AQM, we strive to develop small particles that generate big impact.”

– David Antoniuk, Co-Founder and CEO, Applied Quantum Materials Inc.

“The team at Nova Graphene looks forward to the opportunity to expand our focus from defence-related projects and help deliver a much-needed step forward in tire technology. We are confident that a blend of graphenes—including our renewable, biomass-derived Carbon Era Black—will enable the formulation of a high-performance, long-lasting rubber that will wear more slowly, thereby reducing the amount of microplastics released into the environment.”

– Paul Beasant, CEO, Nova Graphene Canada Inc.

“At Stema, we are excited to be working with Environment and Climate Change Canada addressing this major, and often overlooked, environmental issue. The focus of our solution is to create a new tire composite that will last longer, degrade slower, and can replace current tire applications. As such, we believe we can create a solution that results in a reduction in microplastic particulates while not changing the habits of our potential consumers.”

– Asif Khan, CTO, Stema Punch and Die Inc.

Source: ECCC