INCA Renewtech earns grant to complete biocomposites development, conduct consumer line trials

INCA Renewable Technologies (INCA Renewtech, Kelowna, BC, Canada) announces that it has been approved for a $202,534 grant from Alberta Innovates Agri-food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program to complete development of the company’s novel hemp-based biocomposites and conduct line trials at Toyota (Saline, Mich., U.S.) and other automotive Tier 1 suppliers. The funding is part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to expand support of agricultural products for food as well as feedstock for industry.

“This funding from Alberta Innovates will enable us to refine hemp fiber at the Innotech Alberta laboratory, to produce several thousand pounds of INCA BioPlastics and then conduct full-scale line trials of our products with Toyota and a number of other automotive customers,” says David Saltman, chairman and CEO of INCA Renewtech. “By replacing glass fiber-reinforced plastics with natural fiber composites we will enable our industrial partners to produce stronger and lighter products. Our customers will also be able to reduce costs by recycling trim waste and produce recyclable end products.  That means reducing landfill waste for communities and sequestering carbon.”

INCA plans to vertically integrate composites manufacturing in North America, hoping to be operational by Q2 2026. Its proposed operation in Vegreville, Canada, will purchase hemp biomass from farmers growing the cultivar for plant-based protein, refine this renewable resource and produce advanced composites for the automotive and other industries. This will also act as secondary income for farmers and will help make hemp one of the most profitable cash crops in the Canadian Prairie, thus expanding use of the hemp cultivar. 

“INCA’s injection- and extrusion-grade pellets not only promise enhanced physical properties in finished products but also significantly improve CO_2-equivalent emissions,” adds Scott Oppliger, principal engineer at Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Engineering, “The shift toward environmentally friendly materials is crucial in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprints and mitigate climate change.”