Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Food Waste Reduction Challenge: Novel Technologies
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Finalists
ALT TEX Inc.
Kitchener, Ontario
Through its novel biomaterial fermentation technology, ALT TEX is creating biodegradable and carbon neutral textiles, re-engineered from food waste, with the aim of replacing polyester.
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Aruna Revolution Health Inc.
Trois-Rivières, Québec
Aruna’s sustainable compostable menstrual pads and tampons are developed from processed agricultural waste (vegetable and fruit fibres) in a circular bioeconomy model.
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Carbon Lock Tech
Winnipeg, Manitoba
This solution converts food waste into a stable form of biocarbon that sequesters atmospheric CO2, prevents future landfill methane emissions, and supports sustainable agriculture.
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Chinova Bioworks Inc.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Using the power of mushrooms, Chinova’s clean-label solution improves the quality, freshness and shelf-life of food and beverage products which promotes the reduction of food waste from farm to fork.
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Clean Works Inc.
St. Catharines, Ontario
Using a combination of hydrogen peroxide, ozone and UV, this solution will be able to control mildew and micro-organism growth in pre-harvest (greenhouses, field crops, grapevines) fruit and vegetables.
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Genecis Bioindustries Inc.
Scarborough, Ontario
Genecis engineers specialized bacteria to transform food waste into compostable bioplastics.
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Semi-Finalists
ALT TEX Inc.
Brampton, Ontario
Through its novel biomaterial fermentation technology, ALT TEX is creating biodegradable and carbon neutral textiles, re-engineered from food waste, with the aim of replacing polyester.
Learn more
Aruna Revolution Health Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Aruna’s sustainable compostable menstrual pads and tampons are developed from processed agricultural waste (vegetable and fruit fibres) in a circular bioeconomy model.
Learn more
Biopolynet Inc.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
This project’s innovative BioNanoCoil technology utilizes fish processing waste to produce lobster and crab bait.
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Carbon Lock Tech
Winnipeg, Manitoba
This solution converts food waste into a stable form of biocarbon that sequesters atmospheric CO2, prevents future landfill methane emissions, and supports sustainable agriculture.
Learn more
Chinova Bioworks Inc.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Using the power of mushrooms, Chinova’s clean-label solution improves the quality, freshness and shelf-life of food and beverage products which promotes the reduction of food waste from farm to fork.
Learn more
Clean Works Inc.
St. Catharines, Ontario
Using a combination of hydrogen peroxide, ozone and UV, this solution will be able to control mildew and micro-organism growth in pre-harvest (greenhouses, field crops, grapevines) fruit and vegetables.
Learn more
Climacteric Control Solutions Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
A novel series of ethylene-selective catalysts have been developed that can continuously remove trace amounts ethylene from refrigerated, humid air.
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CLIMICALS
Montréal, Quebec
Local and circular valorization of sugars contained in food waste by converting them into key molecules of green chemistry to produce various biosourced plastics, among other things.
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Dispersa Inc.
Laval, Quebec
By leveraging a waste-to-value production process, this solution harnesses the power of microbes to deliver natural and affordable biosurfactants derived from agro-alimentary waste.
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Genecis Bioindustries Inc.
Scarborough, Ontario
Genecis engineers specialized bacteria to transform food waste into compostable bioplastics.
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Université Laval
Québec, Quebec
A breakthrough invention to transform the entire by-products of dairy industries into innovative and high value-added food products by combining nutritious, natural ingredients and green technologies.
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Membertou Development Corporation
Membertou, Nova Scotia
This project proposes to build capacity of Nova Scotia’s grey seal industry by expanding a pilot harvest, exploring full utilization of harvested biomass, processing facilities and market opportunity.
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Peak Harvest Agritech Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario
FreshXtend is a patented liquid formulation that is applied to crops by growers, and is proven to naturally slow the ripening process of fruits and vegetables.
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Terra Bioplastics Inc.
Elmira, Ontario
Protina is a grain protein derived from Brewers Spent Grain that can have an outsize contribution to human nutrition.
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University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
The project's technology converts food waste into an advanced energy saving material that can trap the heat escaping a home or building and release it when needed, generating savings in heating and cooling.
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University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, Alberta
This project evaluates the utility of commercially available silage inoculants in ensiling and extending the shelf-life of retail food waste and food processing byproducts for animal feed.
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WaterPuris Inc.
Cambridge, Ontario
This solution is an efficient aeration system that produces nano-sized gas bubbles that remain stable and help prevent food waste throughout the food supply chain.
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Crush Dynamics Inc.
Summerland, British Columbia
Crush Dynamics is developing a patent-pending biomechanical process to upcycle food waste from winemaking and other agriculture side streams into healthy, high performance food ingredients.
Learn moreChallenge details: Streams C and D
Who can apply
- Businesses and social enterprises of any size
- Not-for-profit and charitable organizations
- Indigenous organizations and groups
- Post-secondary/academic institutions
- Individuals or group of individuals
International applicants with a Canadian partner or an ability to register to do business in Canada are encouraged to apply.
Key dates
- August 31, 2021
Stage 1 - Concept application deadline - Late Fall / Winter 2021
Up to 18 semi-finalists announced - Late Fall / Winter 2022
Stage 2 - Up to 6 finalists announced - Spring 2024
Stage 3 - 2 Grand Prize Winners announced
Prizes
- $100,000
Up to 18 semi-finalists will be selected in Stage 1 and will receive approximately $100,000. - $450,000
Semi-finalists will move into Stage 2 and compete for a chance to be a finalists and receive approximately $450,000. - $1,000,000
Finalists will compete in Stage 3 to win one of two Grand Prizes of up to $1,000,000.