EDMONTON, AB – Alberta is committing $49 million to accelerate a broad range of technologies and solutions to help accelerate the circular economy, create economic opportunity, and improve the environment. In total, 18 projects valued at $198 million in public and private investment are receiving funding through ERA’s Advanced Materials Challenge.
Funding will increase the competitiveness of Alberta’s manufacturing and resource sectors, grow new provincial industries with export potential, and reduce the emission footprint of material supply chains.
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, made the announcement on July 23, 2025, at Nova Chemical’s Centre for Performance Applications in Calgary. She was joined by ERA’s CEO, Justin Riemer, NOVA Chemicals’ Senior Vice President of Innovation, Sustainability, & Strategy, Rocky Vermani, and other industry representatives. Funding is sourced from the Government of Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund.
This latest investment in TIER funding will help commercialize a recyclable flooring product; create lighter and more durable everyday products using carbon nanofibers; develop insulated drill pipe technology for geothermal environments; advance plastics recycling; convert municipal solid waste into fiber for bioproducts; and more. Projects are located across Alberta, including Edmonton, Calgary, Nisku, Innisfail, Fort Saskatchewan, Grand Cache, Sherwood Park, Edson, and more.
“Manufacturing is a pillar of our economy, employing tens of thousands of Albertans and solving real-world challenges. This funding will help manufacturers do more with the resources we already have, producing the goods Albertans rely on while strengthening the province’s global competitiveness, creating more jobs and protecting the environment.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
“By investing in advanced materials and circular economy solutions, we’re helping Alberta’s industries stay competitive, create jobs, and reduce emissions. This funding supports technologies that make better use of our resources while cutting costs. It’s a win for both the economy and the environment.”
Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
“ERA’s support in developing higher performing recycled materials reflects the Government of Alberta’s confidence in homegrown innovation. NOVA Chemicals has a proud legacy of advancing technologies that reshape plastics for a better future, and we are pleased to receive this funding as we demonstrate how Alberta ingenuity can deliver sustainable solutions with global impact.”
Rocky Vermani, SVP, Innovation, Sustainability, & Strategy, NOVA Chemicals
ERA’s investments range from $250,000 to $5 million per project. If successful, the funded projects are estimated to deliver average annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of over 155,000 tonnes of CO2, 3.4 million cumulative tonnes by 2030, and over 4 million cumulative tonnes by 2050. Projects are estimated to create close to 1572 person-year jobs and $233 million in GDP for Alberta by 2027.
Projects include:
Aqua-Cell Energy Inc.
Total Project Value: $1,860,000 | ERA Funding: $850,000
Location: Various sites across Alberta
Pilot a saltwater flow battery using a novel electrodialysis membrane and proprietary electrolyte. The project includes constructing and installing a prototype system, validating performance, and piloting applications for grid reliability and remote applications.
Atlas Power Technologies Inc.
Total Project Value: $6,500,000 | ERA Funding: $1,450,000
Location: Nisku, AB
Establish a pilot facility to produce high-grade activated carbon from petroleum coke for supercapacitor electrodes for electricity grid-enhancing applications.
Backroads Reclamation
Total Project Value: $3,990,000 | ERA Funding: $1,980,000
Location: Edmonton, AB
Establish Alberta’s first integrated facility to recover and convert construction, demolition, and renovation wood waste into high-value building materials.
BioOilSolv
Total Project Value: $12,400,000 | ERA Funding: $4,600,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Develop a biomass-derived solvent for in-situ oil sands extraction using solvent-assisted SAGD, with testing conducted in collaboration with Imperial Oil and other industry partners.
CarboMat Inc.
Total Project Value: $2,100,000 | ERA Funding: $1,050,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Scale up production of battery anode materials derived from asphaltenes, a byproduct of bitumen upgrading.
Carbonova Corporation
Total Project Value: $12,530,000 | ERA Funding: $4,380,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Develop a process to produce carbon nanofibers from various carbon-rich feedstocks, culminating with the design, construction, and operation of commercial units at three different scales.
Cielo Carbon Solutions
Total Project Value: $4,200,000 | ERA Funding: $2,100,000
Location: Edson, AB
Develop an advanced solid sorbent absorption carbon capture technology and pilot it at Tourmaline’s Banshee gas site to validate performance and demonstrate integration.
Curtis Construction
Total Project Cost: $10,900,000 | ERA Funding: $2,500,000
Location: Bentley, AB
Pilot Alberta’s first agricultural recycling infrastructure for polypropylene plastics using a water-based cleaning system and a mechanical recycling process.
Hughes Energy Group
Total Project Value: $11,990,000 | ERA Funding: $5,000,000
Location: Innisfail, AB
Convert municipal solid waste into fiber for bioproducts by advancing a pilot production facility and product validation with the University of Calgary.
Milner Power II Inc.
Total Project Value: $36,500,000 | ERA Funding: $5,000,000
Location: Grande Cache, AB
Recover and process almost 3 million tonnes of stored fly ash into high-grade supplementary cement-like material.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Total Project Cost: $900,000 | ERA Funding: $450,000
Location: Various across Alberta
Build a commercial unit to produce recycled asphalt and shingle pavers from construction waste.
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Total Project Value: $9,340,000 | ERA Funding: $4,670,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Develop advanced compounding techniques to improve the quality and adoption potential of recycled polyethylene to enable commercial use in various product lines without compromising performance or specifications, significantly contributing to plastics circularity.
Plascred Circular Innovations
Total Project Value: $25,000,000 | ERA Funding: $5,000,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Advance a commercial-scale pyrolysis plant to convert plastic waste into circular naphtha for diluting crude oil by completing a FEED study, facility construction, and validation of the technology.
Pro-Pipe Service and Sales Ltd.
Total Project Value: $ 4,210,000 | ERA Funding: $1,000,000
Location: Nisku, AB
Produce insulated drill pipe technology that utilizes advanced materials to minimize heat loss while surviving challenging pressures and temperatures associated with ultra-deep geothermal drilling.
Rangoli Surfaces Inc. (PolyCo Inc. Trade Name)
Total Project Value: $45,300,000 | ERA Funding: $5,000,000
Location: Edmonton, AB
Commercialize a flooring product produced from Alberta polypropylene in place of imported vinyl flooring materials by establishing a manufacturing facility, validating product performance, optimizing production, and initiating market entry by 2026.
SeeO2 Energy Inc.
Total Project Value: $500,000 | ERA Funding: $250,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Develop a reversible solid oxide fuel cell capable of generating electricity from fuel or producing fuels from electricity, including material selection, production, manufacturing integration, and pilot testing.
Sherritt International Corporation
Total Project Value: $7,190,000 | ERA Funding: $2,420,000
Location: Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Finalize the development of a process to refine Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate into battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulphates, including testing, process development, and pilot demonstration to progress the design of a full-scale commercial plant.
TerraVerdae BioWorks
Total Project Value: $2,500,000 | ERA Funding: $1,250,000
Location: Edmonton, AB
Scale production of biodegradable biopolymers to displace nonrecyclable options currently used in dyes, films, and more.
Projects were selected through ERA’s competitive review process. A team of experts in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and greenhouse gas quantification conducted an independent, rigorous, and transparent review overseen by a Fairness Monitor.
All ERA funding recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report that is shared publicly to help advance technologies towards commercialization. Funding recipients must also report on project outcomes, achievements, and lessons learned, including emissions reductions, job creation, and other environmental, economic, and social benefits.
“Support from ERA and the Government of Alberta is a game-changer for our Nisku facility. This funding accelerates our timeline, creates local jobs, and helps launch a new made-in-Alberta, carbon-based battery materials industry. It’s a major step forward in building local clean-tech solutions with global impact.”
Mitchell Miller, CEO, Atlas Power Technologies Inc.
“This funding is the catalyst that makes industrial-scale wood recovery possible. It sends a clear signal to investors and municipalities that Alberta is ready to lead the shift toward a low-carbon, circular building economy.”
Jay Sanderson, President, Backroads Reclamation
“This investment enables us to scale up and commercialize our biomass-derived solvent technology, delivering both significant greenhouse gas reductions and economic benefits to Canada’s oil sands. It also helps position Alberta as a global leader in low-carbon chemical manufacturing.”
Mohammad Alikarami, Co-Founder and CEO, BioOilSolv Inc.
“This financial support from the Government of Alberta through ERA is a major boost to our efforts in developing high-performance battery materials from Alberta’s bitumen byproducts. It’s a strong vote of confidence in homegrown innovation that supports both economic growth and environmental stewardship.”
Md Golam Kibria, PhD, P.Eng., Director and Co-founder, CarboMat Inc.
“With support from ERA and the Government of Alberta, Curtis Ltd. is advancing a breakthrough recycling facility that turns agricultural plastic waste into reusable materials. This investment not only strengthens Alberta’s circular economy—it also de-risks innovation and builds the confidence needed to attract private capital.”
Benson Thoudsanikone, Chief Financial Officer, Curtis Ltd.
“This project exemplifies the power of Alberta’s polytechnic ecosystem to turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities. By leveraging applied research to help commercialize this made-in-Alberta technology, we are not only diverting landfill waste, but also reducing emissions and supporting the growth of sustainable industries.”
Laura Jo Gunter, President & CEO, NAIT
“With this support, PlasCred is deploying Alberta-made technology that converts hard-to-recycle plastic into low-carbon feedstock for new plastics. This project represents a first-of-its-kind commercial deployment, creating local jobs, cutting emissions, and showcasing Alberta’s leadership in circular solutions and the next generation of sustainable resource innovation.”
Troy Lupul, President & CEO, PlasCred
“This funding from ERA and the Government of Alberta strengthens our ability to commercialize advanced insulated drill pipe technology for deep geothermal systems. It’s a major step forward for clean energy innovation, driven by Alberta’s commitment to sustainable resource development.”
Jocelyn Porodo, Director, Pro-Pipe Service and Sales
“This support will enable us to scale our production of unique, bio-based, and environmentally sustainable biopolymers to commercial readiness. Alberta’s long-standing commitment and comprehensive suite of support mechanisms have been instrumental in advancing our world-class technology and critical to accelerating our products journey to global markets”
William Bardosh, CEO, TerraVerdae Bioworks
For more information, contact:
Neil Wedin
Marketing and Communications
Emissions Reduction Alberta
403.973.1015
nwedin@eralberta.ca
ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA):
For 16 years, ERA has invested revenues from the carbon price paid by large emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since its establishment in 2009, ERA has committed $1 billion toward 323 projects valued at over $10.6 billion, which are helping to reduce emissions, create competitive industries, and lead to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 33 million tonnes of CO₂e by 2030 and 93 million tonnes of CO₂e by 2050.
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION (TIER) FUNDING:
The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation is at the core of emissions management in Alberta. The TIER system implements Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system. TIER helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive and save money.