On August 10, Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) announced that the Government of Canada will be investing in new and innovative technology to support the industry, protect the environment, and strengthen our economy.

This investment of $4.25 million will go toward Anomera Inc., a Quebec-based cellulose research and production company, to support the construction of a demonstration-scale facility that will produce 250 tonnes per year of carboxylated-cellulose nanocrystals (cCNC), and bring its cosmetics ingredients and industrial products to market. 

“Clean innovation benefits our environment, our economy and our communities,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of NRCAN. “Projects like this demonstrate the role that Canada’s forest sector can play in advancing the Canadian bioeconomy in our transition to a low-carbon economy.”

According to a press release, NRCAN stated that Anomera’s demonstration facility will create up to 20 new permanent jobs and solidify Canada as a leader in nanocellulose technology. The novel technology that is being commercialized as part of this project, carboxylated-CNC, will lead the company to meet its first targeted market: a green solution to replace plastic and silica microbeads in personal care and cosmetics with its biodegradable product line, ChromaPur. The eco-friendly conversion process developed by Anomera will also create new, high-value market streams for the Canadian forest sector and is resulting in non-traditional partnerships in cosmetics and industrial applications.

The investment comes from NRCAN’s $2.25 million in funding through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program, which encourages the Canadian forest sector to adopt and put in place unique technologies and processes to diversify into new product streams and emerging markets. The initiative addresses hopes that by investing in innovative technologies, the forest sector can provide greener solutions that will help tackle climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Anomera is pleased to be supported by the Canadian and Quebec Governments to enable us to expedite the development of our advanced technology,” said Howard Fields, President and CEO, Anomera Inc. “Our initiative to replace plastic microbeads worldwide with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-harvested Canadian forest products is truly redefining the future of cellulose. As we move into
the industrial markets, there will soon be tens of thousands of tonnes of demand for the Canadian-sourced cellulose nanocrystals.”