Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

The global plastic waste issue is worsening due to limitations in conventional waste management. Current plastic recycling systems can't handle the vast number of disposable plastics, mainly because they are made from slow-degrading petroleum-based polymers, which harm the environment. In contrast, the biodegradable plastics market is rapidly growing, driven by the demand for sustainable alternatives like fully biodegradable plastics and nanocomposites. Anomera committed to sustainability, uses renewable resources from responsibly harvested Canadian forests to create innovative materials. Their core product, DextraCel®, is a high-purity material derived from cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) through an eco-friendly manufacturing process. This versatile product has applications across various industries, including industrial, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, enhancing properties in concrete, polymer composites, coatings, and adhesives. While biodegradable plastics can address the single-use plastic problem, their implementation is limited by poor processibility, low thermal-mechanical properties, and high cost. Anomera's DextraCel® addresses these issues by improving mechanical and thermal properties, acting as efficient nucleating agents for biodegradable plastics. However, widespread commercial adoption of CNCs is limited due to their inherent surface characteristics, causing them to clump together when mixed with polymers. In collaboration, Anomera and Lambton College aim to develop a fully biodegradable product by incorporating CNCs into a biopolymer matrix such as Polylactic Acid (PLA). Anomera proprietary methods to incorporate CNCs into the polymer matrix without compromising dispersibility and lead to significant improved performance. The project involves a comprehensive analysis of current knowledge on CNC characterization, processing methods for CNC-PLA nanocomposties, and the impact on the resulting physical and mechanical properties of these bio-based composites. Additionally, the team will explore potential applications for CNC composites for high-value sectors requiring injection molding. Successful project outcomes will help Anomera to scale up production to meet client demand, launching biodegradable nanocomposites for various commercial applications. This will further lead to $1.5 million in revenue in Ontario and $19.5 million worldwide, with potential job creation of up to 20 new positions in five years post completion.