North Sydney, NS-based Copol International Ltd. manufactures cast polypropylene film for the flexible packaging industry, mostly for food packaging and often for high heat applications such as sterilizing. This product extends the shelf life of most foods, improves food safety and reduces food waste. It also offers one of the most efficient packaging options, reducing weight, transportation and storage costs, resulting in minimizing GHCs in the food chain. At the same time the company is trying to find alternatives to fossil-based polymers that would also be compostable. This would improve the sustainability of supply and offer an end of life solution.
Copol International received $858,959.55 in funding to develop multifunctional biopolymer food packaging applications to improve the sustainability of food packaging and extend the shelf life. The company’s project partners are The Verschuren Centre Inc., Farnell Packaging Ltd., and GN Thermoforming Equipment.
We talked to Denis Lanoë vice-president of Operations and general manager of Copol International, to find out more about the project and the company’s plans.
Q: What is your company’s mission?
A: Our mission is to provide a rewarding and safe environment for our employees, provide outstanding quality services and products to our customers, and support our community.
Q: Why did you apply for this funding and how will you use it?
A: We applied for this funding to be able to develop a biopolymer that we would be able to process and use in our current applications. This requires specialized equipment and research and development to be able to stabilize the polymer and have it available in production.
Q: What excites you most about working in this area of the food industry?
A: This project is very exciting as it takes us into the future where the polymers we use are grown by bacteria and are fully compostable in nature. Being able to offer an alternative to fossil-based polymers in our applications is a huge step forward.
Q: Why is collaboration so important for accelerating innovation in the food industry? Is it difficult to find good collaborating partners, and what would make the process easier?
A: Collaboration is essential to embarking on such a project. We are lucky to have a biopolymer research facility here in Sydney, The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability, which will be crucial to the development of the biopolymer. As well we have two other partners that will help us convert our film for trials out in the industry, Farnell Packaging and GN Thermoforming, both from Nova Scotia. And lastly we would not be doing this without the support of CFIN.
Q: Please comment on the importance of public funding to help companies clear innovation hurdles and access leveraged funds.
A: Companies our size do not have the resources to embark on such a project on their own. Public funding and leveraged funds are needed to be able to take that step and foster the innovation that will allow us to break through to the next level.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for your company?
A: We are focused on being able to offer a viable biopolymer alternative to our customers, and to be able to develop and grow this industry based here in Nova Scotia.
Q: What are your passions or hobbies outside of work?
A: I am an avid long distance runner, and I love spending time with my family.
Q: If you had to pick one person to make you a meal, who would you choose?