logo
Carbonova Selected for Funding Through Emission Reduction Alberta's Advanced Materials Challenge

Carbonova Selected for Funding Through Emission Reduction Alberta's Advanced Materials Challenge

Cision Canada24-07-2025
$4.38M ERA Grant Fuels Construction of Canada ʼs First Carbon Nanofiber Commercial Demonstration Plant in Calgary
CALGARY, AB, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Carbonova, a cleantech company transforming greenhouse gas emissions into high-performance carbon nanofibers (CNF), is proud to be among the recipients of the Government of Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta's (ERA) Advanced Materials Challenge grant. These funds, totaling $4.38 million, mark a major win in Carbonova's journey—supporting the company as it advances toward the commissioning of its first-of-its-kind Commercial Demonstration Unit (CDU) in Calgary.
"Together, [these projects] are going to generate over $233 million to our GDP by 2027 and create 1,600 high-quality jobs across the province…this is how we drive responsible growth – supporting home-grown technologies, accelerating commercialization, and building stronger, more resilient industries," said Justin Riemer of Emissions Reduction Alberta.
Founded in Alberta and built on proprietary catalytic technology, Carbonova has developed a breakthrough process that converts CO₂ and methane into sustainable, high-performance carbon nanomaterials for use in batteries, plastics, and construction. The company's patented process operates at a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint of traditional alternatives like carbon black, graphite, or carbon nanotubes.
"This support from ERA enables Carbonova to turn breakthrough science into real-world infrastructure," said Dr. Mina Zarabian, CEO & Co-Founder of Carbonova. "With customers lined up and eager for better, lighter, and more sustainable materials, ERA is catalyzing the emergence of a new industry—one where carbon emissions become the feedstock for high-performance advanced materials. Alberta is proving that climate leadership and industrial innovation can go hand-in-hand."
The ERA-funded project will de-risk scale-up and commercialization by enabling Carbonova to complete Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and begin procurement and construction of its CDU, capable of producing 25 tonnes of CNF per year while utilizing over 50 tonnes of CO₂. The CDU will serve as a launchpad to fulfill offtake agreements already in progress and demonstrate Carbonovaʼs readiness for global deployment through a build-own-operate and licensing model.
This milestone builds on Carbonovaʼs growing momentum, following strategic partnerships with global manufacturers in batteries, composites, and construction, and a strong track record of customer-led Joint Development Agreements.
Carbonova is collaborating with a variety of strategic customers and partners at this exciting inflection point. With patented technology, world-class collaborators, and a clear path to commercialization, Carbonova is poised to scale its impact globally—starting right here in Alberta.
About Carbonova
Carbonova transforms CO₂ and methane into sustainable, high-performance carbon nanofibers used in batteries, composites, and construction materials. Based in Calgary, the company is accelerating the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy by offering scalable, cost-effective alternatives to legacy carbon materials.
Learn more about the ERA Advanced Materials Challenge: https://www.eralberta.ca/advanced-materials-challenge/
For more information about Carbonova, visit carbonova.com
About Tailwind Ventures
Tailwind Ventures is a strategic partner supporting Carbonova and continues to work with the company to prepare for its future Series A financing.
Tailwind Ventures empowers early- and growth-stage companies to withstand the scrutiny of due diligence and secure capital. Tailwind's diligent preparedness process enables ventures to build stronger businesses and improve the risk-reward relationship for ventures and investors. Tailwind Ventures has raised over C$370 million for clients since 2022. Tailwind is based in Calgary, Canada.
For more information about Tailwind Ventures, visit tailwindventures.co.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this press release relate to future events, conditions, or outcomes with respect to Carbonova's business, its customers, technology, and the broader industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements and are often, but not always, identified using words such as "believes", "seek", "plan", "expect" and similar expressions.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

WATCH — Are algorithms good or bad? Kids and teens weigh in
WATCH — Are algorithms good or bad? Kids and teens weigh in

CBC

time14 hours ago

  • CBC

WATCH — Are algorithms good or bad? Kids and teens weigh in

Algorithms create things called echo chambers, say experts If you've ever wondered why the content on your online feed seems like it was chosen specifically for you, you can thank an algorithm for that. An algorithm is a set of instructions that tells a computer how to complete a task. They are used for all kinds of purposes, but you're probably most familiar with the algorithms social media companies use to determine which content you see. These algorithms are like personal shoppers — they'll pick out items on your behalf based on what you've liked or interacted with in the past. They can make life much more convenient and save you a ton of time because you don't have to go looking for things yourself. But several experts have said that's not entirely a good thing, and new mathematical modeling supports a growing belief that algorithms could be dividing us. Algorithms may create 'echo chambers' If the algorithm only shows you content that resembles posts you've liked or interacted with before, that means there's a lot of stuff it's not showing you. That may include things that are outside of your comfort zone — like a new performer who you'd assume you wouldn't like, but could end up loving. And it often includes new ideas or perspectives that you haven't considered before. When it comes to politics, for example, experts say that algorithms are more likely to show us content that reaffirms our political views rather than things that could challenge our perspectives. WATCH — How do social media algorithms work? That creates an echo chamber — an environment where someone only hears beliefs similar to their own, meaning that they never consider alternative ideas. In a recent paper, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) used mathematical models to study how AI-powered algorithms on social media platforms might be operating. The paper said that ''social media algorithms can leverage the data that they have about users in order to decide which information individuals see and who communicates with whom.' Those algorithms are developed to maximize engagement, because the social media companies can sell more targeted ads to other companies if they have engaged users. And according to the paper, users are more likely to engage with content that is shared by people with the same views. Check out the video below to find out if kids and teens think algorithms are bad. Algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling Along with creating echo chambers, some experts have raised concerns that algorithms could be making social media more addictive. In our recent piece on doom scrolling, psychotherapist Benslyne Avril said that short-form content platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok and Instagram Reels are built to keep us on the platform for as long as possible. She said algorithms tend to feed us content that makes us feel the happiest, the saddest or the angriest, because those are the videos we're most likely to watch until the very end. 'You want to stay informed, but then you fall into a cycle of seeing one upsetting story after another, and that can impact our mental health.' If you find that your algorithm isn't making you feel good, experts say you can: Retrain your algorithm to show you more positive content by swiping past doom-and-gloom and spending more time on feel-good posts. Set limits for how long you can scroll each day through your social media app settings. Practise creating physical boundaries with your phone by leaving it in another room while you sleep, watch TV or eat dinner with your family. What do you think?

Trump spares copper market from worst with 50% tariff on products
Trump spares copper market from worst with 50% tariff on products

Calgary Herald

time31-07-2025

  • Calgary Herald

Trump spares copper market from worst with 50% tariff on products

Article content United States President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on all semi-finished copper products coming into the U.S., but stopped short of applying the duty to imported refined copper, sparing domestic industries from potential higher costs. Article content Prices of the metal fell as much as 20 per cent, after Trump on Wednesday issued a proclamation setting fresh copper duties, the biggest intraday drop since at least 1988. That signaled the global market dramatically readjusted its prior expectations on the scope of Trump's plan. Article content Article content The new rates become effective Aug. 1, according to a White House fact sheet. Much of the U.S. market had anticipated at least some tariff on raw copper, the key input for wiring and other products that are ubiquitous for the homebuilding, construction and automobile industries. Article content Article content The copper levies, which come under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, will not stack on top of separate levies on automobile imports, which Trump put in place earlier this year, according to the White House. Article content If a product is subject to auto tariffs, the import tax on vehicles will apply and not the copper duty, the White House said. Article content Trump took the rare step of invoking the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that allows the president to direct industries to boost production of materials critical to national security, to require that 25 per cent of high-quality copper scrap and forms of raw copper made in the U.S. be sold domestically. Article content Article content The percentage of certain raw copper materials mandated for U.S. sale would increase to 30 per cent in 2028 and then 40 per cent in 2029. The White House said the move is necessary to 'boost U.S. refining capacity by ensuring low-cost inputs while domestic refiners grow their operations.' Article content Article content The proclamation officially setting Trump's policy comes three weeks after he announced the U.S. would levy 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports from Aug. 1, without providing specifics on what products would be covered. Article content Since then, an expansive lobbying campaign played out in Washington, with U.S. copper producers, semi-finished products makers, scrap yards and foreign governments angling for measures that would benefit their industries, whether it be exemptions, punitive tariffs or a complete abandonment of the tariff. Article content Making copper a top trade priority came as a surprise to the global market, since Trump during his first term focused duties on steel and aluminum. Copper producers, traders and consumers at the time were relieved that they avoided tariff-related upheaval upheaval.

Opinion: Canadians deserve more clarity on Carney's cuts
Opinion: Canadians deserve more clarity on Carney's cuts

Montreal Gazette

time30-07-2025

  • Montreal Gazette

Opinion: Canadians deserve more clarity on Carney's cuts

In another time, Prime Minister Mark Carney's talk of steep government spending cuts would be the talk of the town. But these aren't other times. We now live in the age of Trump, and the U.S. president's trade war with the world is a story that is able to erase much of most other countries' domestic news agenda. And so it is with Canada and its need to reduce spending after years of Trudeau-era bloat. Make no mistake; Carney's cuts are major news. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told his cabinet colleagues the government must cut operational spending by 7.5 per cent for the 2026-27 fiscal year, 10 per cent the following year and 15 per cent in 2028-29. Carney has already ruled out cuts to provincial transfers and pensions and other old-age supports. The Liberal government has also ruled out cuts to programs like child care, pharmacare and dental care, while also committing to increased spending on defence. There is either a magic money tree in Carney's garden or pain on the way for Ottawa's army of public servants, as their salaries and benefits are a key part of 'operational spending.' I'm old enough to remember the furor around the Harper government's proposed cuts to return to a balanced budget in the wake of the 2008-'09 financial crisis. Indeed, I was the man who had to answer the many media questions And so it's astonishing to see how little coverage is being generated by what will be, in absolute terms, much bigger cuts. Of course, it helps that Trudeau grew the size of the federal public service so much that achieving a similar quantum to the Harper era would be child's play. Senior Liberals say they will achieve much of the reduction by eliminating vacant positions and 'reallocating' staff rather than giving public servants the boot. Unions like PSAC are skeptical about those promises, as well they should be. Enter that other great media attention hog: artificial intelligence. Everyone is talking about AI, holding it up to be either a demon or a saviour. Carney and Evan Solomon, his new AI minister, are promising the latter, at least with respect to achieving efficiencies in program delivery without compromising service levels. But you should never trust anyone who says tough goals can be achieved without pain. What's more, the kinds of improvements Canadians are looking for in their lives will not be achieved without a federal public service that's fit and firing on all cylinders. And so it is incumbent on Carney and his ministers to be as specific as they can on what is required, and what is surplus to requirements. It is not enough to hide behind the promise of technology and operational efficiencies. And that's before we consider what happens if Trump ever actually gets on with doing his worst to Canada. Carney and the premiers have just concluded a meeting where Canada's efforts to secure a revised free-trade deal with the U.S. were the main subject of discussion. There wasn't much in the way of specifics, only more boilerplate about securing the best deal and seeking alternate markets should the U.S. close some of its doors to Canada. If Canada is indeed hammered by Trump's tariffs, federal budgeting will become even more of a crapshoot. The Carney government is already being cagey about its plans for spending and when they might be tallied up and presented to Parliament for analysis. It must be forced into some precision. The opposition must do all it can to force the conversation, not obsess about more minor issues that might excite some corners of the internet. In other words, the opposition should ignore the distractions and the fizz of Trump, the greatest media story on Earth. That is for the government to worry about. It is the opposition's job to worry about Canadians, and how the government can best serve their needs.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store