Program aimed at innovation, emissions reduction will create 1,600 jobs, province says

Calgary Herald

24-07-2025

The province's latest injection into an industry-funded program promises to create hundreds of jobs while protecting the environment.
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On Wednesday, the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, unveiled Alberta's plans to invest up to $49 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction program.
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The funding will support 18 new projects, create almost 1,600 jobs and add $233 million to Alberta's economy by 2027, according to the province.
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'Alberta has the resources, the expertise and the entrepreneurs needed to create some of the most advanced materials in the world. This $49 million investment is incredibly important to accomplishing that,' said Justin Riemer, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta, at a press conference.
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If successful, the 18 projects, which are scattered across Alberta, could reduce annual emissions by over 155,000 tons, or a cumulative 3.4 million tons by 2030, according to Riemer.
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He noted that each project is unique, but there is a common theme.
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'Each support(s) the extraction, the production, the manufacturing and the circular life cycle of new and existing material products for Alberta,' said Riemer.
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'This funding supports technologies that make better use of our resources while cutting costs. It's a win for both the economy and the environment,' he said.
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Calgary-based Nova Chemicals was among the recipients, receiving $5 million to advance its $25 million plant. When complete, the facility will divert over 36,000 tons of single-use plastics annually from landfills and incineration.
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'We've been focused on creating value through Alberta's natural resources and driving innovations (to) reshape how plastics are designed, made, and incorporated into different structures,' said Rocky Vermani, Nova Chemicals' senior vice-president of innovation, sustainability and strategy.
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'Nova is well-positioned to lead the transition to a circular economy,' said Vermani.
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A circular economy refers to a system where materials never become waste and nature is 'regenerated'.
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'Nova is just one great example of the many incredible companies that put Alberta on the map as a global leader in manufacturing,' said Schulz.