BACKGROUNDER
August 28, 2009
Clean Air, Green Jobs
INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION FUND
Ontario’s $80-million Innovation Demonstration Fund helps companies commercialize promising new clean technologies by supporting them at the pilot or demonstration project stage. These projects help companies attract the customers and investors they need to move their technology to the global marketplace.
Through the Innovation Demonstration Fund, Ontario is investing almost $1.2 million in BIOREM Technologies Inc. Based in Guelph, BIOREM designs and manufactures systems that remove odours and contaminants from the air, including hydrogen sulphides and reduced sulphur compounds, amines and volatile organic compounds.
BIOREM is working to develop and commercialize a new energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly system called Unity. BIOREM’s goals for Unity include making it at least 30 per cent cheaper than current products, while reducing the system’s footprint by half.
Ontario’s funding is supporting two projects, showcasing different versions of the Unity technology. The first version is designed for small sewage treatment plants. It can be preassembled and shipped to a site with minimal on-site work.
This demonstration is taking place at the Preston Wastewater Treatment Plant in the City of Cambridge. Once the prototype has proved itself, the Region of Waterloo intends to purchase the technology.
The second version is designed for large capacities and is built on site, to take full advantage of economies of scale. The location of this project has yet to be finalized.
Ontario, through the Innovation Demonstration Fund, has invested in eleven promising Ontario cleantech companies. Most recently, Ontario invested $4 million to help EcoVu bring new water purification technology to the global market.
Other emerging Ontario technology companies that have received support through the fund include:
- 6N Silicon – Has a new, cost-effective process for purifying silicon to the degree needed for solar panels. Last October, 6N announced the opening of its new head office and production facilities in Vaughan.
- GreenCore Composites Inc. – Has developed natural-fibre composites that can be used to make environmentally-friendly parts for the automotive, furniture and toy industries.
- Menova Energy Inc. – Designs and manufactures high performance solar heating and electric systems. Menova partnered with a company called Woodbine Tool and Die on its demonstration project, which helped Woodbine diversify beyond the automotive sector.
- Verdant Power Canada – Verdant’s Free Flow™ Turbine technology, which looks like an underwater windmill, can generate power from river currents, yet rotates slowly allowing fish to pass through safely with minimal environmental impact.
- The Woodbridge Group – Woodbridge is researching and commercializing Biofoam, a renewable, soy-based product that can be used in automotive seating and interiors.
ONTARIO’S INNOVATION AGENDA
Supporting innovation is part of the McGuinty government’s five-point plan for growing Ontario’s economy. Ontario’s Innovation Agenda is the government’s plan to help turn great ideas into good jobs for the future and better lives for Ontario families.
Backed by $3.2 billion in spending over eight years, the agenda focuses on supporting innovation and growth in sectors where Ontario has the research and business strengths to dominate high-growth global markets. Tackling climate change through bio-based, environmental, alternative energy and clean technologies is one of Ontario’s priorities.
See also:
- News Release: New Clean Air Technology Creates Jobs
- Backgrounder: Clean Air, Green Jobs
- Success Story
- For the Media
