Red Leaf Pulp Awarded $3.8 million to Commercialize Non-Wood Pulping Technology
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Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has awarded Red Leaf Pulp Ltd. $3.8 Million to commercialize an innovative and game-changing pulping technology using wheat straw and other sustainable agricultural resources along with wood-based pulp in traditional applications.
With its technology, Red Leaf will enhance utilization of existing agricultural resources, support the agriculture industry, and lower the carbon intensity associated with producing paper and packaging materials. As demand for paper products rises due to the shift away from plastic and polystyrene use, Red Leaf’s technology offers a sustainable alternative to responding to this demand by using a fibre source that does not contribute to deforestation. This funding will also assist in co-product commercialization efforts that will potentially allow Red Leaf’s facility to become planet positive.
“Now is the time for ambitious climate action. Cleantech innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization are key to the vital shift to a healthier environment and a net-zero carbon economy.
Today’s announcement will boost our leadership in climate and waste reduction technology and help foster a truly Canadian success story,” says Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Innovative clean technologies are good for the economy and critical to solving the twin crises of climate change and nature loss. Kelowna’s own Red Leaf Pulp is demonstrating this, using agricultural byproducts with no previous end-use as inputs for their products, creating value where there was none and turning organic matter into recyclable products.” Said The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.
“Canadian entrepreneurs are driving the innovation that is moving us towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. This investment will enable Red Leaf Pulp to rapidly accelerate and commercialize its ideas and continues the momentum of public and private commitments to advancing clean technology,” says Leah Lawrence, President and CEO of SDTC.
“As sustainability efforts intensify globally, and tissue and packaging suppliers realize the advantages of an annual feedstock such as wheat straw, Red Leaf’s technology is gaining momentum in the marketplace,” said Martin Pudlas, CEO.
“Along with our consortium partners Allnorth, Valmet, IEM and CNG, we appreciate the significant support of the federal government towards making Red Leaf’s innovations a success.” Pudlas said.
Red Leaf Pulp’s initial plant under development in Regina, Saskatchewan will have the capacity to produce approximately 182,000 metric tons of market pulp annually from wheat straw collected from local producers when it commences production in 2024.
