Organic fertilizer producer EarthRenew Inc., Toronto, along with consortium partners CCm Technology Ltd., Oxford, and Swindon, U.K., and Western Ranchlands Corp., Nanton, Alta., have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
The ERA called for proposals for projects by Aug. 27, 2020, that would focus on regenerative practices, nature-based solutions, and creating value from agricultural waste. ERA is planning to fund some C$40 million into the projects it selects. Winners are eligible for up to 50 percent of project costs. ERA will shortlist projects in October and make a final announcement in March 2021.
If successful, EarthRenew said it could receive $1 million to support the expansion of its organic fertilizer plant at Strathmore, Alta., and the implementation of CCm’s carbon capture and utilization technology, which is expected to cost $2.2 million. Total project cost is put at $4.8 million.
The company said it would be the first commercial CCm unit in North America to enhance organic fertilizer. Western Ranchlands, an agricultural investment and land management firm, would demonstrate the benefits of the fertilizer at a 320-acre pilot site in central Alberta.
EarthRenew said the project would reduce Strathmore emissions by capturing waste carbon dioxide from the onsite turbine. It said the fertilizer produced by the CCm process has also been proven to sequester carbon, whereas typical fertilizers emit carbon.