Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a venture capital investment firm based in Ottawa, established in 2001. The organization focuses on funding and supporting Canadian cleantech projects, helping companies advance innovative technologies to market. SDTC's investments span various sectors, including agriculture, energy efficiency, green buildings, transportation, and waste management. By fostering the growth of these companies, SDTC aims to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and generate export opportunities while delivering environmental and health benefits to Canadians. Operating independently, SDTC collaborates with a diverse network of partners from private industry, academia, and government, both domestically and internationally, to enhance the impact of its initiatives. The organization receives funding from the Government of Canada to further its mission.

Timon LeDain

Vice President, Operations

Leo Bever Ph.D

Investment Director

Past deals in Pulp and Paper

Skaldyr

Grant in 2023
Skaldyr upcycles seafood waste into ingredients for food, animal feed, and fertilizer.

Pulse Industrial

Grant in 2022
Pulse Industrial is a California-based company specializing in the development of advanced monitoring technologies for industrial applications. The company focuses on creating sensors that provide a comprehensive overview of valves and steam traps in industrial plants, enabling predictive maintenance and failure alerts. Its flagship product is an artificial intelligence-powered steam trap monitoring device that utilizes vibration and acoustic analysis to detect steam leaks. By employing low power wide area communication, the device efficiently alerts maintenance personnel to potential issues, thereby enhancing safety and reducing fuel consumption in industrial settings. Through these innovations, Pulse Industrial aims to improve operational efficiency and reliability in steam generation processes.

Polar Sapphire

Grant in 2021
Polar Sapphire Ltd. is a Toronto-based company that specializes in the manufacturing and sale of high-purity aluminum oxide powder, commonly known as alumina. The company produces alumina in purity levels ranging from 3N to 6N, offering various particle size distributions tailored for different applications. This high-purity powder serves as a crucial feedstock for the production of sapphire ingots, which are essential in the manufacturing of LED substrates. Additionally, Polar Sapphire's alumina is utilized in the production of high-purity engineered ceramics, polishing agents, abrasion-resistant coatings, and other non-LED applications. The company has developed a proprietary method to produce low-cost, high-purity alumina, enhancing its competitive position in the market.

Red Leaf Pulp

Grant in 2021
Red Leaf's process is an environmentally conscious pulping method that will revolutionize the paper industry. Pulp generated from non-wood fibres has physical characteristics that are comparable to hardwood and superior to recycled fibre.

Polystyvert

Grant in 2021
Polystyvert Inc. provides innovative recycling services specifically for polystyrene, enabling the collection and processing of this material to restore it to its original form. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Anjou, Canada, the company focuses on delivering high-quality recycled polystyrene that matches the quality of new materials. Polystyvert's technology simplifies the recycling process, addressing environmental concerns associated with polystyrene waste.

Lorama Group

Grant in 2021
Lorama Group is both a manufacturer of Colour Dispersions & Bio-based Additives, as well as an international distributor of Specialty Chemicals and Functional Extenders. Through our entrepreneurial spirit and with deep expertise in global regulatory and raw material requirements, Lorama has grown to service a multitude of markets across over 90 countries.
MPC address the automotive industry need for a responsive prototype molding shop, specializing in high quality plastic parts such as gears and complex assemblies. MPC are a mid-size, hands-on, owner-operated business with a fully engaged and highly motivated work force who all take pride in maintaining our reputation for uncompromising product quality and customer service.

Freshr Technologies

Seed Round in 2020
Freshr Technologies, formally known as Impactful Health Research and Development Inc., specializes in the development of compostable packaging solutions aimed at extending the shelf life of fresh fish. Established in 2017 and based in Montréal, Canada, the company focuses on creating active packaging materials from naturally-derived resources. These innovative materials help preserve the texture and quality of fish by maintaining its water content and targeting harmful bacteria, thereby enabling fish processing companies to minimize waste. Additionally, Freshr's solutions contribute to reducing organic waste and plastic pollution, while also decreasing reliance on petrochemicals and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. By addressing the challenges faced by retailers, exporters, and processors in the seafood industry, Freshr Technologies promotes sustainability and efficiency in food preservation.

Phycus Biotechnologies

Seed Round in 2020
Phycus Biotechnologies Inc. is a Canadian company based in Toronto that specializes in producing ingredients for the cosmetics and personal care industries, including bioglycolic acid and AHA ferment ingredients. Established in 2017, the company also operates a bio-conversion platform designed to capture and convert carbon dioxide from large-scale emitters. By utilizing microbial technology and metabolic engineering techniques, Phycus aims to transform CO2 into valuable chemical building blocks that can be used in various industrial applications. This innovative approach not only provides an alternative method for recycling carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Flash Forest

Seed Round in 2020
Flash Forest is a reforestation company focused on rapidly restoring post-harvest and post-wildfire areas. By employing advanced technologies such as aerial mapping software, drone systems, and biological seed-pod technology, the company aims to efficiently plant trees and enhance ecological recovery. Through its innovative approach that combines automation with ecological science, Flash Forest enables businesses to offset carbon emissions effectively, contributing to global efforts against climate change.

Anomera

Grant in 2020
Anomera is a company focused on sustainable manufacturing processes that convert wood pulp and waste from the forest industry into advanced bio-products. Its primary product is a natural cellulose ingredient designed for the cosmetic and skin care markets, offering a performance-enhancing alternative to traditional chemical components. Anomera's innovative approach includes developing carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals, which aim to replace plastic microbeads and silicates with biodegradable options. The company also has a roadmap of follow-on applications, such as DextraCel™ materials, which target various industries including environmentally friendly inks, coatings, composites, and medical/life sciences. Through its research and development, Anomera enables industries to adopt more sustainable practices while improving operational efficiency.

EcoPackers

Grant in 2020
EcoPackers Inc. is a Toronto-based company established in 2018 that specializes in the production and sale of biodegradable packaging materials. The company focuses on creating eco-resins derived from plants, offering a 100% biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic inputs. These eco-resins enable plastic manufacturers globally to develop innovative, non-toxic, and compostable single-use packaging solutions. Through its commitment to sustainability, EcoPackers aims to reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging.

Fibracast

Grant in 2020
Fibracast is the innovator of FibrePlate™, the next generation in MBR technology. This unique hybrid ultrafilter integrates the best attributes of hollow-fiber and flat-plate membranes into a compact, strong and energy efficient immersed membrane.

Pyrowave

Grant in 2020
Pyrowave Inc. is a Canadian company that specializes in advanced recycling technology solutions, utilizing microwave-based chemical processes to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastics into high-value liquid products. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Oakville, the company employs a patented high-power microwave catalytic depolymerization technology, which restores plastics to their molecular state, indistinguishable from virgin materials. This innovative approach facilitates the infinite recycling of plastics, addressing the growing need for sustainable waste management. Pyrowave serves a diverse clientele, including municipal clients, private recyclers, and generators, by leasing its recycling machines and providing the resultant products from its processing operations.

Cellufuel

Grant in 2019
CelluFuel Inc. is a Canadian company based in Halifax that specializes in producing synthetic renewable fuels from forestry resources. Established in 2008, the company focuses on commercializing renewable liquid fuels in North America. It is developing next-generation technology that converts woody biomass into renewable diesel fuel, aiming to provide sustainable energy sources. By utilizing clean and renewable methods, CelluFuel enables industries to achieve substantial economic and environmental benefits.

Kruger

Grant in 2019
Kruger Inc. operates across various traditional industry sectors, including pulp and paper, forest products, and containerboard and packaging. The company is committed to transforming renewable resources into sustainable products essential for everyday life. Its extensive product range includes publication papers, tissue products, specialty papers, and corrugated packaging, all made from recycled fibers. Additionally, Kruger is a significant player in renewable energy and the production of wines and spirits. By focusing on eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions, Kruger Inc. supports the pulp and paper, containerboard, and packaging industries while promoting sustainability and innovation.

KSM

Grant in 2018
KSM is a company whose mission is the production of fertilizers

Consolidated Biofuels

Grant in 2018
Consolidated Biofuels produces Biodiesel from a variety of feed stocks that exceed the fuel requirements

Polystyvert

Venture Round in 2018
Polystyvert Inc. provides innovative recycling services specifically for polystyrene, enabling the collection and processing of this material to restore it to its original form. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Anjou, Canada, the company focuses on delivering high-quality recycled polystyrene that matches the quality of new materials. Polystyvert's technology simplifies the recycling process, addressing environmental concerns associated with polystyrene waste.
New Rubber Technologies (NRT) specializes in the devulcanization and reformulation of rubber materials, focusing on the reuse of waste rubbers and plastics. The company primarily utilizes end-of-life tires and other rubber waste streams as feedstocks to produce devulcanized rubber particulates. This innovative approach allows businesses to access new rubber materials derived from waste, thereby reducing costs and promoting sustainability in the rubber industry. NRT's unique processes provide valuable solutions for companies seeking to enhance their material offerings while addressing environmental concerns associated with rubber waste.
PurLucid Treatment Solutions is a North American company specializing in innovative water and wastewater treatment systems. It focuses on serving industries such as heavy oil, mining, forestry, and other industrial sectors. The company has developed proprietary technologies that enhance hydrocarbon recovery and provide ultra-filtered water, effectively removing water and solids during the oil recovery process. By offering advanced solutions for water treatment, PurLucid aims to address the specific needs of its clients while promoting sustainable practices in resource-intensive industries.

GreenMantra Technologies

Venture Round in 2017
Based in Brantford, Ontario, GreenMantra™ Technologies utilizes a proprietary thermo-catalytic system and patented process to cost-effectively convert and "up-cycle" waste plastics, including hard-to-recycle materials such as grocery bags and film, into high-value waxes and other specialty chemicals. These materials have a broad range of applications in the coatings, plastics processing, adhesives, roofing and paving industries.

Canfor

Grant in 2017
Canfor is a leading global producer of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper, with a strong emphasis on quality and customer service. Established in 1938 by John Prentice and L.L.G. “Poldi” Bentley in Vancouver, the company has evolved from a small veneer plant into one of the largest forest products manufacturers worldwide, employing over 5,000 individuals. Canfor's product range is vast, serving markets around the globe and addressing the growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources. In addition to its core operations, Canfor Energy North Limited Partnership operates pellet plants in Canada, generating 7,500 MWh of electricity. The company remains committed to pioneering market development initiatives in emerging economies while maintaining its focus on quality and customer satisfaction, which have been central to its enduring success.

NanoXplore

Grant in 2016
NanoXplore Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of high-volume graphene powder, specializing in graphene-based solutions for industrial markets. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the company produces a range of products, including GrapheneBlack powder and heXo-G graphene-enhanced masterbatch pellets. NanoXplore focuses on enhancing the performance of its customers' products across various sectors, such as transportation, packaging, and electronics. The company operates production facilities in Montréal, Delson, Quebec, and Vallorbe, Switzerland, and has developed a strong understanding of carbon chemistry to support its innovative offerings. With a commitment to scaling its production capabilities, NanoXplore has established itself as a key player in the graphene market, serving clients both in North America and internationally.

Polystyvert

Venture Round in 2016
Polystyvert Inc. provides innovative recycling services specifically for polystyrene, enabling the collection and processing of this material to restore it to its original form. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Anjou, Canada, the company focuses on delivering high-quality recycled polystyrene that matches the quality of new materials. Polystyvert's technology simplifies the recycling process, addressing environmental concerns associated with polystyrene waste.

Pyrowave

Grant in 2016
Pyrowave Inc. is a Canadian company that specializes in advanced recycling technology solutions, utilizing microwave-based chemical processes to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastics into high-value liquid products. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Oakville, the company employs a patented high-power microwave catalytic depolymerization technology, which restores plastics to their molecular state, indistinguishable from virgin materials. This innovative approach facilitates the infinite recycling of plastics, addressing the growing need for sustainable waste management. Pyrowave serves a diverse clientele, including municipal clients, private recyclers, and generators, by leasing its recycling machines and providing the resultant products from its processing operations.

West Fraser Timber

Grant in 2015
West Fraser was founded in 1955 when three brothers – Sam, Bill and Pete Ketcham - pooled their resources to buy a small planing mill in Quesnel, B.C. From that early entrepreneurial spark, West Fraser has grown to be the largest lumber producer in North America. A diversified North American wood products company, West Fraser operates 40 mills across Western Canada and the southern United States. The Company’s main product is lumber (spruce/pine/fir (“SPF”) and southern yellow pine (“SYP”)). West Fraser also produces panels (plywood, MDF and LVL), pulp (NBSK and BCTMP), energy, newsprint and wood chips. Their operations located in western Canada manufacture all of the Company’s products except southern yellow pine lumber. The Company’s southern United States mills produce SYP lumber and wood chips.

CelluForce

Grant in 2015
Manufacturer of cellulose nanocrystals intended for various industrial products. The company produces bio-based nanomaterials with applications in cosmetics, upstream oil and gas, adhesives, paints, coatings, packaging, plastics, and composites, enabling clients to improve product performance through a fully natural and biodegradable material produced from wood.

Entropex

Grant in 2010
Entropex, Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company that specializes in reprocessing post-industrial and post-consumer plastics. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sarnia, Ontario, the company focuses on developing market-specific recycled polyethylene and polypropylene for diverse consumer and industrial applications. Its operations are supported by a 180,000 square foot plastic recovery facility and warehouse complex, positioning Entropex as a leader in the recycling industry in Canada.

Performance Plants

Venture Round in 2009
Performance Plants Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company focused on enhancing crop yields and resilience through gene discovery and trait development. Founded in 1995 and based in Kingston, Canada, the company specializes in technologies that improve productivity in major staple crops, such as corn, soybeans, and canola, as well as biomass crops like switchgrass and industrial hemp for biofuel production. Performance Plants offers a range of innovations, including Yield Protection Technology, Heat and Drought Tolerance Technology, and Water Efficiency Technology, which allow farmers to increase yields while minimizing irrigation needs and reducing chemical usage. The company has established licensing agreements with leading multinational seed firms and has successfully entered markets in China and India. Notably, Performance Plants regulates the plant's own genes rather than introducing foreign genes, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. With a strong research and development foundation, Performance Plants is committed to addressing the challenges of climate variability and food security globally.

Woodland Biofuels

Seed Round in 2007
Woodland Biofuels Inc. is a privately-owned Canadian company based in Toronto, established in 2000. It specializes in producing renewable fuel by converting waste biomass into cellulosic ethanol and other high-value products. The company has developed and patented an efficient, low-cost technology that utilizes materials such as wood chips and agricultural waste, positioning it to become North America's lowest-cost producer of cellulosic ethanol. Woodland Biofuels aims to build, own, and operate its own cellulosic ethanol plants while also exploring selective licensing opportunities for its innovative technology.
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