SME BOSK Bioproducts has been awarded $1m in financial assistance for its bioplastics production by the Canada Economic Development for the Quebec Regions (CED).

BOSK Bioproducts collects industrial waste, such as bio-sludge from paper manufacturing, and converts it into compostable bioplastics. Through this 100% compostable solution, BOSK aims to significantly reduce plastic waste across the environment.

The support from CED, a federal partner in Quebec’s regional economic development, will enable the business to increase its production capacity by establishing a manufacturing unit for compostable bioplastics. The funding will focus on the cost of acquiring equipment and installing, testing and commissioning the unit.

The new manufacturing unit will enable BOSK Bioplastics to improve its production capacity by securing its supply chain. The business will now be able to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate, a key component of REGEN, a bio-based bioplastics material it has developed for the market in Canada.

BOSK Bioplastics president Paul Boudreault commented: “Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Every day we throw the equivalent of 2000 trucks of waste into our oceans, and plastic packaging represents most of the world's production.”

The funding has been granted under the Jobs and Growth Fund programme, which targets businesses and economic organisations to help them prepare local economies for long‑term growth. It involves strategic investments in projects aimed at reducing Canada's environmental impact and fostering a green economy.

In January 2023 the government of Canada announced a C$2.1m ($1.5m) investment over four years to fund research into the health risks posed by microplastics.