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Red Leaf Pulp receives $3.8 million to commercialize innovative pulping technology

Red Leaf Pulp has received $3.8 million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to commercialize its innovative pulping technology. This pulping technology uses wheat straw and other sustainable agricultural resources along with wood-based pulp in traditional applications.

“As sustainability efforts intensify globally, and tissue and packaging suppliers realize the advantages of an annual feedstock such as wheat straw, Red Leaf’s technology is gaining momentum in the marketplace,” said Martin Pudlas, CEO. “Along with our consortium partners Allnorth, Valmet, IEM and CNG, we appreciate the significant support of the federal government towards making Red Leaf’s innovations a success.”

The innovative pulping technology will allow Red Leaf Pulp to leverage existing agricultural resources, support the agriculture industry, as well as lower the carbon intensity associated with producing paper and packaging materials. The sustainable alternative uses a fibre source that does not contribute to deforestation.

“Canadian entrepreneurs are driving the innovation that is moving us towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. This investment will enable Red Leaf Pulp to rapidly accelerate and commercialize its ideas and continues the momentum of public and private commitments to advancing clean technology,” said Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of SDTC.

This funding will also assist in co-product commercialization efforts that will potentially allow Red Leaf’s facility to become planet positive.

“There couldn’t be a better time to invest in a greener, more sustainable future for all Canadians. Cleantech innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization are key to the vital shift to a healthier environment and a net-zero carbon economy. The SDTC funding announced today will boost our leadership in climate and waste reduction technology and help foster a truly Canadian success story,” said the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Now is the time for ambitious climate action. Cleantech innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization are key to the vital shift to a healthier environment and a net-zero carbon economy. Today’s announcement will boost our leadership in climate and waste reduction technology and help foster a truly Canadian success story.”

“Innovative clean technologies are good for the economy and critical to solving the twin crises of climate change and nature loss. Kelowna’s own Red Leaf Pulp is demonstrating this, using agricultural by-products with no previous end-use as inputs for their products, creating value where there was none and turning organic matter into recyclable products,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.

Red Leaf Pulp’s initial plant is currently under development in Regina, Saskatchewan. When it commences production in 2024, it will have the capacity to produce approximately 182,000 tonnes of market pulp annually from wheat straw collected from local producers.