Loyalist College and GreenCentre Canada support SMEs’ success in the bioeconomy

Belleville, Ontario, Nov. 24, 2022 – Loyalist College’s Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (CNPMC) received $75,000 through GreenCentre Canada’s CONNECT program to help five companies bring sustainable products to market. This is the second consecutive year that Loyalist has secured GreenCentre CONNECT funds to support the growth and development of regional businesses in the bioproducts or cleantech sectors.

“Loyalist College remains committed to supporting the future-proofing of local industries and driving regional economic and social development that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mark Kirkpatrick, Acting President of Loyalist College. “We’re excited to build on the success of last year’s GreenCentre CONNECT projects by supporting five more businesses as they transition to more sustainable and efficient practices. Led by the expert researchers in our CNPMC, each project will create unparalleled work-integrated learning opportunities for students while they earn industry experience and solve real-world business problems.”

Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), GreenCentre’s CONNECT program assists start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by connecting them with specialized research and development service providers like the CNPMC, and funding up to $15,000 per project in the bioproducts or cleantech sectors.

“GreenCentre is pleased to engage with Loyalist College’s Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis through our CONNECT program. The CNPMC is a proven professional service provider that continues to benefit numerous Canadian SMEs, helping to accelerate their technologies’ time to market,” said Tim Clark, Business Operations Manager at GreenCentre Canada.

With GreenCentre’s support, Loyalist College is supporting the following five companies:

Biomimetics is a biopharma research company focused on synthesizing and commercializing rare terpenoid molecules. Their primary interest lies in investigating molecules with novel biological activity that have remained widely unused or unnoticed by clinical researchers due to a lack of commercial availability. Using novel chemistry techniques, Biomimetics looks to bridge this gap and bring proven molecules to a world in need. The Biomimetics–Loyalist College collaboration involves the extraction of rare phytochemicals from various species of plants. The project will develop a supercritical CO2 extraction route with the goal of replacing current solvent extraction methodologies.

BodyHarmony Therapies and Wellness was started in 1998 on the foundation of holistic health principles and the use of phytochemical extracts and concentrated essential oil formulations. The company’s goal is to formulate wellness products using aromatic plant extracts and cannabinoids to create reliable treatments for people in discomfort and daily pain. The project’s primary focus will be developing a CBG, and selective terpene-infused topical product.

FireRein has been operating since 2012 and developed the first 100% naturally sourced fire suppression gel, Eco-Gel.™ This project will further evaluate the formulation stability of the Eco-Gel product to meet the needs of the wildland fire sector using the particle size reduction equipment and advanced environmental chambers at Loyalist College. These tests will inform product readiness for USDA Forest Services Qualified Products List (QPL) testing, and general product shelf life for existing markets.

Kimberlite Group Limited is a Canadian company specializing in natural products technology under the banner of Valley of Gold Farms in Deloro, Ontario. Kimberlite Group Limited is expanding their product stream to grow and sell hops as a specialized seasonal fresh/wet product to regional brewers. This project aims to increase the value-add of their products through innovative green technology, especially as it applies to post-harvest hop processing. This study will also determine the feasibility of fractional steam extraction of terpenes from hops to create an essential hop oil product.

Token Naturals is an independent Canadian company that manufactures cannabis products for partners and consumers in the recreational market. Founded in 2016, Token Naturals has focused on securing licenses for producing, selling, and researching cannabis products in the extracts and dried flower categories. Their current project focuses on developing a concentrated THC nano-emulsion using all-natural ingredients and surfactants that can be added to finished products without compromising THC potency or quality.

About GreenCentre Canada 

Based in Kingston, ON, GreenCentre Canada is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to support the growth of chemical and material start-ups, SMEs, and multinationals by transforming their innovations into valued products, processes, and services. GreenCentre Canada provides a full suite of technical services, including product validation, process development, application testing, and scale-up support.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $396.3 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2021 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

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Contact: 
Braden Root-McCaig
Director of Marketing and Communications
647-523-4300
brootmccaig@loyalistcollege.com