Zak Miko
Manager of Forest Bioeconomy at Foresight Canada
Canada’s emerging bioeconomy innovators are turning forestry waste into products that cut emissions, reduce wildfire risk, and create economic growth.
Every year, British Columbia’s forests alone generate millions of cubic metres of wood waste that are either burned in slash piles or left to rot. For decades, Canada’s forestry model has been based on volume: harvest, sort, export. The result? A staggering amount of resources — branches, tree tops, lower-grade logs, and, surprisingly, even good-quality logs — are wasted.
Not only does this release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, but it also represents a massive missed economic opportunity.
The good news is that Canada’s emerging bioeconomy innovators are poised to tackle both of these issues. By turning forestry waste into new products, cleantech companies across the country are developing promising solutions that can cut emissions, reduce wildfire risk, and transform underused fibre into jobs, housing materials, and economic growth. This isn’t just about protecting the environment, it’s about building a more resilient and efficient economy.
Collaboration is key to unlocking potential
Canada’s ability to capitalize on this opportunity hinges on collaboration. The National Bioeconomy Communications Strategy, led by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, is convening key collaborators across the country to realize our bioeconomy’s potential. Organizations like Foresight Canada are working to identify, promote, and accelerate these solutions to market. As Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator, Foresight’s BioAcceleration Program helps bioeconomy innovators refine their go-to-market strategy, prepare for investment, scale their production, and deploy their solutions in real-world environments.
Some of the homegrown bioeconomy ventures already adding value include NULIFE GreenTech (Saskatoon), HEJMAS (Calgary), and Carbon Lock Tech (Winnipeg). NULIFE GreenTech converts both wet and dry biomass into a sustainable bio-oil while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, lowering disposal costs, and improving sustainability reporting — all at no capital cost. HEJMAS transforms hemp waste into sustainable alternatives to traditional wood and cotton-based fibres used in numerous products like feminine hygiene products, bandages, retail packaging, and furniture, while using 60 per cent less fresh water and 85 per cent less energy, generating 90 per cent less CO2, and avoiding harsh chemicals. Carbon Lock Tech, meanwhile, converts organic matter into a stable form of biocarbon, which can be sequestered and utilized as a value-added product in agricultural soils, construction materials, green infrastructure, and other manufactured goods.
And these are only a few examples. A recent report mapped over 140 cleantech companies operating in Canada’s forest bioeconomy, representing nearly seven per cent of our national cleantech sector.
A systemic shift for a prosperous future
Across Canada, massive economic opportunities are literally decaying in waste piles. Luckily, some of Canada’s brightest minds are working on solutions. By moving beyond a simple resource extraction model, we can transform waste into a driver of national prosperity.
With the right investment and collaboration, turning traditional waste streams into new products can create high-quality jobs, fortify our supply chains, and ensure Canadian companies stay competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
It’s time to turn our waste into a win-win for our environment and our economy. Find out how Foresight is accelerating innovation in the Canadian bioeconomy at foresightcac.com/bioeconomy.
