Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
$30,000.00
Optimization of Genecis' Polyhydroxyalkanoate Formulation through Adjustment of Hydroxybutyrate,_x000d_ Hydroxyvalerate Ratios
EF 2020-21
Résumé
Genecis Bioindustries is a biotechnology company that converts food waste into PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biodegradable plastics and other high value materials. Since 2017, they have rapidly scaled operations from the laboratory bench-scale at University of Toronto to operating out of a 4,000 sq/ft functional pilot facility in Scarborough, Ontario. Recently, Genecis has completed an industrial-scale 1000 L fermentation validation at the National Research Council in Montreal, filed 2 patents, and established an in-house materials testing laboratory. Genecis has also completed food waste to PHA conversion technology, which involves using mixed organic feed stock with Genecis proprietary bacteria. This is significant as there is not commercialized technology in the world that can currently produce PHAs from non-union sugar sources like organic waste.
This collaborative project with Lambton college will focus on the adjustment of %HV and its effect on material properties and processability. To achieve the overall goal of the project, a series of physical, mechanical, rheological, and chemical analyses to characterize the different grades of PHBVs (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) will be conducted, as well as, multiple experiments to fine-tune the created higher %HV PHBVs and polymer manufacturing trials for PHBV composite product applications.
The success of the project will lead to potentially, $850,000 immediate revenues, and an additional $6 million in recurring purchase orders. After the successful commercialization of results, it is estimated that sales of $300,000 plus $3 million in purchase orders in Canada as well as $1,500,000 with an additional $6 million in purchase orders internationally will occur over 2-3 years. With increased level of production, it is estimated to create new or supporting positions of up to 10 full time positions. Since, this polymer has a strong appeal in a worldwide single-plastic market, there is potential for sales to grow significantly more over time.
Programme
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
558321-2020
Name nom
Sheikhzadeh, Mehdi
Department département
Head Office
Organization id
26621
Institution établissement
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
30000
Program id
CARD1
Program name en
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée - niveau 1
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1561
Committee name en
Applied Research and Development Grants
Committee name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée
Area of application code
508
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Polymers, rubber and plastics
Area of application fr
Polymères, caoutchouc et plastiques
Research subject code
3754
Research subject group en
Polymer chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie des polymères
Research subject en
Biopolymers
Research subject fr
Biopolymères
Installment
inst:1 - 1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Optimization of Genecis' Polyhydroxyalkanoate Formulation through Adjustment of Hydroxybutyrate,_x000d_
Hydroxyvalerate Ratios
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Genecis Bioindustries is a biotechnology company that converts food waste into PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biodegradable plastics and other high value materials. Since 2017, they have rapidly scaled operations from the laboratory bench-scale at University of Toronto to operating out of a 4,000 sq/ft functional pilot facility in Scarborough, Ontario. Recently, Genecis has completed an industrial-scale 1000 L fermentation validation at the National Research Council in Montreal, filed 2 patents, and established an in-house materials testing laboratory. Genecis has also completed food waste to PHA conversion technology, which involves using mixed organic feed stock with Genecis proprietary bacteria. This is significant as there is not commercialized technology in the world that can currently produce PHAs from non-union sugar sources like organic waste.
This collaborative project with Lambton college will focus on the adjustment of %HV and its effect on material properties and processability. To achieve the overall goal of the project, a series of physical, mechanical, rheological, and chemical analyses to characterize the different grades of PHBVs (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) will be conducted, as well as, multiple experiments to fine-tune the created higher %HV PHBVs and polymer manufacturing trials for PHBV composite product applications.
The success of the project will lead to potentially, $850,000 immediate revenues, and an additional $6 million in recurring purchase orders. After the successful commercialization of results, it is estimated that sales of $300,000 plus $3 million in purchase orders in Canada as well as $1,500,000 with an additional $6 million in purchase orders internationally will occur over 2-3 years. With increased level of production, it is estimated to create new or supporting positions of up to 10 full time positions. Since, this polymer has a strong appeal in a worldwide single-plastic market, there is potential for sales to grow significantly more over time.
