Cleantech Chronicles Part 5 – Clean Water + Material Inputs 

Last month, we set out to feature the most exciting Canadian cleantech we’ve encountered in our search for this year’s Clean50. So far, we featured over 30 companies leading innovation in Canada, from hydrogen storage breakthrough technologies to AI-powered wildlife monitoring success stories, and more. We’ve seen the future, and it’s bright—and undeniably green. 

This week, as we wrap up our five-part series, we’re turning our attention to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, including forever-chemicals, industrial inefficiencies, and microplastics, all with far-reaching impacts on human and planetary health. What better way to close out this series than by tackling some of the most stubborn challenges out there. 

The technologies we feature below propose solutions falling into two broad themes: clean water and material inputs. Water contamination is an issue deserving far more attention than it often receives, disproportionately burdening disadvantaged communities across Canada and beyond with adverse health and livelihood impacts. Our second theme, material inputs, is one that holds significance for industries everywhere, from pulp and paper through to the research lab, as this week’s technologies demonstrate. The material inputs we choose matter greatly if we want to stop our landfills from overflowing, microplastics from seeping into every corner of our systems, and, of course, our climate from changing catastrophically.  

The solutions to these challenges are out there, and the four technologies below are here to prove it. What unites these companies is their ability to turn complex environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable innovations. As we conclude this series, we are both amazed and inspired by the innovation we’ve encountered – their solutions are scalable, practical, and designed for the future. For the fifth and final time in this series, we encourage you to support Canadian cleantech however you can. By buying their products, amplifying their missions, and advocating for cleantech investment, we can turn their climate solutions into climate action.

_.

The University of British Columbia, Madjid Mohseni (Professor)

Company and product snapshot: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have contaminated water supplies worldwide due to decades of fluoropolymer use, adversely affecting the drinking water quality for hundreds of millions of people. Addressing PFAS contamination has become a global priority, as many common PFAS are highly toxic and cannot be effectively removed by existing technologies. Madjid Mohseni and his team in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC have developed a novel adsorbent technology capable of capturing a broad spectrum of PFAS—including short- and long-chain, anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic forms—followed by their complete destruction. The adsorbent, currently at TRL7, has been successfully validated through yearlong field demonstrations. It stands out for its ability to be regenerated and reused, offering a sustainable solution that reduces disposal burdens and appeals to environmentally conscious clients.

Who will be able to use it:  With increasingly stringent regulations across jurisdictions and rising public concern, there is significant demand among water utilities, municipalities, contaminated sites, and various industries using fluoropolymers in their processes for effective solutions.

Market readiness: A UBC start-up is finalizing an exclusive license agreement with the UBC Industry Liaison Office. At the same time, efforts are underway to obtain NSF/ANSI certification for drinking water treatment applications. These steps will enable the start-up to begin commercial-scale manufacturing and implementation for water treatment applications by Q3 of 2025. 

_.

Xatoms, Diana Virgovicova (CEO and Co-founder)

Company and product snapshot: Headquartered in Toronto, Xatoms is solving the problem of water pollution, as well as the fact that women and girls around the world collectively spend 200 million hours daily in search of clean water. Xatoms understands that gender inequalities in many countries are deeply connected with the problem of polluted water, because while girls go to search for water, the boys go to school. With projects in Kenya and South Africa, Xatoms is changing this narrative by offering clean and affordable solutions for communities without access to clean water. Xatoms utilizes AI and quantum chemistry to predict and develop novel photocatalytic materials that can purify water by eliminating bacteria, viruses, and pesticides. The technology is reusable and operates effectively under sunlight, making it accessible and sustainable, even for the most remote communities globally. Xatoms’ technology has the potential to reduce the energy required for water purification processes by up to 40%, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a sustainable solution to global water scarcity issues.

Who should use/buy it: Anyone needing access to clean water or anyone wanting to help communities gain clean water access. 

Market readiness: The technology is currently at technology readiness level 5 and is expected to be market-ready by Q4 2025.  

_.

BioLabMate Composite Inc., Sarika Kumari (Co-founder and CEO) and Sanjay Dubey (Co-founder and CTO)

Company and product snapshot: BioLabMate is dedicated to addressing the significant issue of untracked lab plastic waste in Canadian labs. During our Lab2Market program, they found that research, medical, and industrial labs generate approximately 5.5 million tons of plastic waste annually. This waste contributes to pollution and complex disposal issues. BioLabMate’s seaweed-derived bioplastics offer sustainable alternatives, designed to biodegrade and integrate smoothly into existing manufacturing processes. Established in 2023 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, BioLabMate aims to replace conventional plastics in research labs and clinical settings with a biobased and biodegradable alternative that avoids deforestation. In doing so, they will also support seaweed farming in Atlantic Canada, contributing to marine ecosystem health and aligning with Canada’s Net Zero 2050 targets.

Who will be able to use it: Our product will be utilized by research laboratories, clinical facilities, universities, and industrial research centers that are seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic labware.

Market readiness: They anticipate the product will be market-ready by 2025, following the successful scaling of pilot production and thorough testing to meet industry standards. 

_.

HEJMAS Agrifibre Technologies, Marek Hejduk (CEO)

Company and product snapshot: HEJMAS Agrifibre Technologies is revolutionizing the pulp and paper industry with a cutting-edge, environmentally conscious approach. HEJMAS Blue Pulp is an innovative solution for producing the highest grade pulp from 100% agricultural field fibre waste, primarily industrial hemp, rather than trees. HEJMAS Blue Pulp is ideal for use in medical-grade and personal care products such as menstrual products, diapers, wipes, and surgical masks. This sustainable pulp is crafted through a patented process, which drastically reduces environmental impacts: it emits 88% less CO2, uses 80% less water, and requires 70% less power and time compared to traditional wood pulp processes. Moreover, their production avoids harsh sulfide and chloride chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly choice. HEJMAS Blue Pulp represents a leap forward in sustainable manufacturing, offering a practical solution to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products while addressing critical environmental challenges.

Who will be able to use it: Target markets include manufacturers of medical grade, wound / personal / family care products such as menstrual products (tampons and pads), diapers, wipes, surgical masks and similar products currently made from tree (wood biomass) pulp. The product is particularly well suited as a raw material in these goods, as it has a far lower chemical content in production and has better absorbency than equivalent tree pulp.

Market readiness: They are in search of significant investments in order to build their first production mill. They have nearly completed process engineering on an identified mill site in Värmland, Sweden, and have supply chain (biomass) commitments from farmers within the desired 80km supply radius that will feed the proposed mill capacity and more. With the right investment, HEJMAS Blue Pulp can be in production within 12-18 months and profitable within 24-30 months.