GreenMantra receives $2.2M funding for waste conversion plant

GreenMantra Technologies, a clean technology company that produces high-value polymers from waste plastics, will receive $2.2M from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for the construction of a demonstration plant that will convert waste polystyrene into modified styrenic polymers for use in inks, foam insulation and other applications.

Polystyrene plastic in foam and solid form is commonly used in consumer products, food and product packaging and many other applications.

It is one of the world’s fastest growing solid wastes, yet has one of the lowest recycling rates of all plastics with an estimated 95% either disposed of in landfills or incinerated.

Using a proprietary catalyst and unique conversion process, GreenMantra Technologies has converted waste polystyrene foam into useful polymers on a laboratory scale.

The demonstration plant, to be constructed at GreenMantra’s existing manufacturing complex in Brantford will have an anticipated initial annual capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per year.

This will provide an ample supply of converted modified styrenic polymers for trialing in end-use applications and potential initial commercial sales.

The design and engineering of the new facility will begin this year, with construction starting in 2018.

"We are thrilled that SDTC will provide a portion of the capital necessary for this important project,” said Kousay Said, GreenMantra President and Chief Executive Officer.

"This pilot plant will enable us to scale up our patent-pending process for sustainably reusing of one of the world’s least recycled plastics.”

Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, said: "As part of our government’s investments in clean technology and commitment to protecting the planet, we are pleased to support this next generation of GreenMantra’s sustainable technology.

"Transforming plastic waste into commercially viable products will not only drive innovation in sustainable reuse of waste materials, it also creates middle-class jobs in Ontario’s growing clean technology sector.”

GreenMantra currently converts waste polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, such as film, bottle caps and food containers, into speciality synthetic waxes.

These waxes are used in various applications in the coatings, plastics processing, adhesives, roofing and paving industries.

STDC in 2014 provided GreenMantra Technologies with a $2M funding to help fund construction of the plant that produces these waxes.

GreenMantra is actively designing new technologies, processes, and products with a focus on driving the circular economy of plastics.

It has received significant industry recognition for its revolutionary technology.

It was recently named one of the world’s top 100 companies in clean technology by CleanTech Group, a leading industry research firm, and last year received a Gold Award for Green Technology as part of the R&D100 Awards programme.