Invest Alberta announces INCA Renewtech’s Advanced Bio-Composites Manufacturing Facility to be built in Alberta


Edmonton, April 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a win for Alberta’s cleantech sector and rural job creation, INCA Renewable Technologies announced today plans to build a state-of-the art 200,000-square-foot fibre processing and composites manufacturing facility in Vegreville, Alberta. Their chosen location is adjacent to InnoTech Alberta, the Government of Alberta’s premier research facility for hemp composites, genomics and agronomics. The INCA factory is expected to be operational in early 2024 and create 70 jobs, scaling to about 100 jobs by 2026.  

 “When ramped to capacity, INCA’s operation will purchase 54,000 tonnes of biomass per year generated from farmers growing hemp for plant-based protein. We will process this renewable resource into highly refined fibre. The short fibre will be transformed into INCA BioBalsa, a direct substitute for the balsa wood used as an essential core material in the construction of boats and wind turbine blades. The long fibre will be sent via rail to our second factory in Bristol, Indiana where we will manufacture BioPanels for the RV industry and BioPlastics for the automotive industry. Winnebago and Toyota are commercialization partners for these products.” 

  • David Saltman, Chairman and CEO, INCA 

The demand for balsa wood, particularly for wind turbine blades, has led to deforestation in Ecuador where it is a native species. Plantations now account for 60% of supply but quality is falling, prices are rising, and manufacturers are seeking viable alternatives. INCA’s BioBalsa can achieve superior performance due to its compressive strength, sustainability and moisture and fire resistance.   

An independent lifecycle report conducted by GreenStep Solutions, which has helped more than 3,000 organizations better understand the environmental impact of their operations, demonstrated that INCA’s hemp-based BioBalsa is far more sustainable than balsa wood. One cubic meter of BioBalsa sequesters 260 kg of CO2. During the manufacturing process, BioBalsa generates 107% less greenhouse gas emissions than cutting and milling balsa wood, reduces waste generation by 93%, and water consumption by 93%.

“We have helped over 3000 businesses and corporations measure and reduce their environmental impacts through independent energy, waste, carbon, and lifecycle analysis. The lifecycle report we conducted for INCA Renewtech took into account the environmental impacts of extraction, production, resource use, and end-of-life disposal. Our report concluded that all of the INCA products assessed, dramatically reduced carbon emissions and environmental impacts, when compared to competitive products made of petroleum, wood, or fiberglass.” 

  • Angela Nagy, President & CEO, GreenStep Solutions Inc.   

INCA’s choice to locate in Alberta shines a spotlight on the province’s growing cleantech and agri-tech sectors, joining the growing list of green energy-related announcements in Alberta from PACE, Cvictus, Air Products and more. INCA chose Alberta in part thanks to the provincial government’s investments over the past 20 years to develop a thriving hemp supercluster and research capability. Alberta is now a global leader in the production of sustainably grown hemp and responsible for 40% of Canada’s hemp production. INCA’s purchase of waste hemp fibre from local farmers will make hemp a dual use cultivar and one of the most valuable cash crops in the Prairies. 

“By purchasing hemp directly from Alberta’s farmers, and processing it here in the province, this project will mitigate production risks for producers, and create new value-added hemp products that will help grow Alberta’s thriving hemp industry.”

  • Honourable Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development 

“I, along with members of Vegreville Town Council, have long believed our community could serve as a potential hub for North America’s burgeoning hemp industry. We would like to thank INCA, as well as MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and the provincial and federal governments for their investment, faith, and shared vision. I’d also like to specifically thank Alberta Innovates. Vegreville is fortunate to be home to some of the brightest minds in the hemp research industry and their efforts in advocating for our community helped make this opportunity a reality.” 

  • Tim MacPhee, Mayor, Town of Vegreville 

Invest Alberta is supporting INCA’s investment journey in Alberta by connecting the company to potential investors, strategic partners, grant sources and researchers, as well as providing export guidance.   

“INCA’s announcement is an example of a unique, high-impact investment that combines agri-tech, cleantech and innovation. Alberta’s welcoming business climate and hemp supercluster continue to position the province as a destination of choice for new and exciting investment opportunities as this industry continues to take root across Alberta.” 

  • Rick Christiaanse, CEO, Invest Alberta 
     

About INCA Renewtech Inc. 
 
INCA Renewtech is forging a new path to global leadership in natural fibre composites. Leveraging our globally recognized expertise in development and manufacturing of advanced bio-composites, along with plant genomics, hemp cultivation and fiber processing, we will deliver high performance materials to the automotive, wind turbine, consumer products and building materials industries. Our products sequester carbon, reduce GHG emissions, water usage and waste, while delivering stronger, lighter, cost-competitive solutions to our customers. More information about INCA is available at www.incarenewtech.com  

About Invest Alberta 

Invest Alberta is dedicated to investment attraction, with a mandate to engage the world and provide high-end tailored support to companies, investors, and major new projects. With team members in key markets around the world, Invest Alberta works to break down barriers so investors and businesses can start up, scale up, and succeed without limits. 
 
For more information, visit: https://investalberta.ca/    

 

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