Small Vancouver startup believes it's created the solution to plastic pollution
Researchers working in partnership with UBC believe an eco-friendly material could help solve the world’s plastic pollution problem.
Bioform Technologies says its patented process involving kelp, wood fibre and minerals could produce a plastic-like material that’s environmentally friendly.
“It’s real and we’re planning on basically taking over,” said Ramy Younes, lead design engineer, with a slight chuckle.
The team launched in 2019 and currently has just six employees and a few UBC student interns. Younes says they’re currently in the testing phase of their product, which could potentially have countless applications.
“Everywhere around you there’s plastic, so we’re hoping to be able to replace as much of it as we can,” said Younes.
One environmental advocate tells CTV News that the plastic problem increased during the pandemic, and is projected to get worse.
“We’re seeing upwards of 13 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean every year at this point in time,” said Carlos Drew, executive vice-president of conservation at Ocean Wise. “Plastics are likely to triple by 2050.”
Younes says the process of creating the material includes custom printing, pressing and molding. He says they’ve tested out the material as a replacement for plastic mulch used in farming and plastic cutlery. Younes also claims its cost is similar to plastic, and that it decomposes in about six weeks.
“We’re not bringing something that’s cheaper and sacrificing material properties,” said Younes. “It’s a material property match to plastics and in some cases, better.”
Drew says he welcomes the idea of eco-friendly innovation.
“I do endorse this immediately as a potential replacement for single-use plastic because they will be bio-degradable if done correctly,” said Drew.
Bioform Technologies plans on moving to a bigger location to ramp up production in the next year.
Younes doesn’t hold back on his team’s ambition, saying the’ve already received interest from major manufacturers and food service industry leaders from around the world. With several countries already attempting to limit plastic use through regulation, Younes strongly believes it’s a product that could go global.
“That’s the dream.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.