Government of Canada invests in bioplastics initiative
Canadian Plastics
Canadian PlasticsThe Government of Canada has invested $861,000 in three agricultural projects to help New Brunswick farmers profit ...
The Government of Canada has invested $861,000 in three agricultural projects to help New Brunswick farmers profit in the biofuels and bioproducts market, with one project geared towards biodegradable plastic and packaging.
“The demand for greener products is uncovering new value in agriculture and opening new market opportunities, both in crops and even in what was once considered worthless waste,” said Secretary of State for Agriculture Christian Paradis, who made the announcement on January 18. “With these projects, we are continuing to help New Brunswickers advance economic opportunities that also help the environment.”
Although the bulk of the funding will be directed at biodiesel projects, the government is devoting $61,000 to the Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and Biotechnological Sciences in Grand Falls through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program.
The project aims to determine the most cost-efficient way to transform starch from waste potatoes and grain into lactic acid, which can then be used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastic and other eco-friendly packaging.