Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Envicore Inc. is designing technologies to achieve sustainable and low-cost mitigation of tailings in the miningindustry while extracting valuable particles (nanoclays) marketable as low-cost additives for polymernanocomposites, drilling fluids, enhanced oil recovery, cement, and lubricant formulations. EnviCore'scombined skills enabled them to analyze the waste accumulation problem from several angles and design aninnovative solution that includes both tailings treatment and repurposing. However, EnviCore does not havethe facilities to move on to extrusion to test out the clay additions to polymers.The aim of this collaborative project is to investigate the suitability of EnviCore's nanoclays for the polymernanocomposite formulations and find the most promising application. To achieve this goal, the research teamwill test the performance of nanoclayes in several polymer hosts as well as polymer blend systems to test theirdispersibility and compatibilization performance. The effect of nanoclay loading and processing conditions onthe final product performance will be investigated.The success of the project will lead to a greater understanding of the link between EnviCore's nanoclayproperties, resulting in polymer nanocomposite microstructure, and nanocomposite mechanical properties. Thislink will then be used as a toolbox for the design of polymer nanocomposites with superior properties to thoseon the market. This will enable EnviCore to expand its accessible market and customer base, as well as lead tocommercialization which includes technology development in oil sands and nanoclay sectors. Entering thepolymer nanocomposite market will lead to significant economic gains and job creation. There will also berun-off economic benefit and environmental reclamation efforts for the oil sands tailings, improving theenvironment and the oil sands reputation.