Axipolymer receives funds to develop recyclable packaging film

Montreal, Que.-based Axipolymer Inc. is receiving $1 million from the federal government to create a recyclable, multi-layer film that can be used for food packaging.

The company is one of three winners of the Plastics Innovation Challenges sponsored by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Axipolymer develops new products and artificial intelligence for the polymer industry.

The announcement was made by Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson at GLOBE Forum 2020 in Vancouver, a sustainable business summit and innovation showcase.

The other two winners are GreenMantra Technologies of Brantford, which will transform polystyrene insulation waste into new insulation, and MgO Systems of Calgary, which will use PVC waste from construction to produce new insulating materials. Each company receives $1 million.

“Clean technology must be part of the solution to plastic pollution,” Wilkinson said in a press release. “Boosting clean technology development to address plastic pollution is part of our comprehensive approach to achieve a zero plastic waste future.

“The government of Canada has committed nearly $19 million to fund Canadian innovators through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge initiative, which results in real, Canadian-made solutions.”

The government said in the press release that plastic pollution poses a threat to Canada’s environment and economy, as it ends up in landfills, litters parks and beaches, pollutes rivers, lakes, and oceans, and has harmful effects on wildlife.

Wilkinson also announced the launch of six new plastics challenges and three clean technology challenges, through the Innovative Solutions Canada program.

The nine new challenges call on Canadian innovators to develop solutions to:

• find sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging
• reduce plastic waste from textiles
• divert end-of-life vehicles’ plastic from landfill
• reduce e-waste
• seek solutions for air purification
• monitor microplastics in marine environments
• recycling plastic into ceiling tiles
• develop waste conversion techniques
• develop energy producing window coverings

The Innovative Solutions Canada program is a key component of the government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year plan to make Canada a global innovation leader and prepare Canadians to succeed in tomorrow’s economy. As a part of the program, the Plastics Innovation Challenge supports Canadian-made clean technologies and Canada’s vision of a zero plastic waste future.

“The Government of Canada is using its purchasing power to help small businesses innovate and become more competitive,” said Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains. “Through Innovative Solutions Canada, we’re accessing high-quality products that will help solve some of Canada’s most pressing challenges, while businesses are growing and creating good jobs.”

Innovative Solutions Canada helps Canadian innovators by funding research and development and testing prototypes in real-life settings. Its two streams have a combined funding of more than $140 million dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start, grow, and get to market.