Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels project sets sail

A major ocean industry challenge is the need for a range of environmentally sustainable, low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and low-sulphur marine fuels available to end-users at a competitive cost that are compliant with current and future fuel regulations.

The Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels project will address these challenges by introducing a low-carbon biofuel across the marine ecosystem.

The sustainable development of our ocean economy is one of the most important opportunities of our time. The CA$65 million Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels project is not only our largest project to date but the collaboration of its pan-Canadian partners is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. This transformational project will help shape Canada’s future as a leader in low-carbon fuel production, said Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.

For the development of the Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels Project, Valent Low Carbon Technologies will work with partners FORGE Hydrocarbons, Mara Renewables, Clearwater, Katal Energy, Horizon Maritime, and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to produce fuel and solvents to be used in industry and a hydrocarbon material with improved nutritional value for human health products.

Mara is excited to play a leading role in this critical project, facilitating the transition to more sustainable practices and prioritizing the future of our oceans and planet. Our talented team will leverage the wonders of the ocean and Mara’s leading plant-focused biotechnology to ensure a greener and stronger future for all of Canada, said Arturo Ania, CEO Mara Renewables.

With a total value of CA$65 million dollars, the Ocean Supercluster will provide nearly CA$5.7 million with the balance coming from the project’s industry and government partners.

The key to widespread adoption of renewable fuel in the marine sector is abundant renewable feedstock and a way to convert that feedstock into a fungible, low-carbon liquid fuel. The funding from the Ocean Supercluster enables our consortium to shape the Canadian Maritimes into a global leader in low-carbon marine fuel production, said Tim Haig, Founder and CEO, FORGE Hydrocarbons.

The success of the Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels Project will drive Canadian renewable diesel production and supply, reduce imports, and foster international market exports. The Clean Ocean Advanced Biofuels Project will also boost job creation across Canada creating more than 150 direct jobs.

Innovation comes from bringing people together to solve real-world challenges. Through this project, the Ocean Supercluster and its partners will actively support Canada’s transition to a more sustainable future. This groundbreaking project will produce Canada’s first renewable diesel—positively impacting marine life while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions—and create more than 150 jobs, said The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

The cumulative emission reductions from Valent’s suite of technologies will positively impact local marine life and air quality, supporting Canada’s transition to a more sustainable future.

With over 50 000 merchant vessels circling the globe, we have a huge challenge to reduce transport emissions in the ocean economy. The Ocean Supercluster’s financial support and its extensive network of collaborators foster an accelerated and collaborative pathway to build the renewable fuels value chain for marine transport, said Karlis Vasarais, Co-Founder and EVP, Valent Low-Carbon Technologies.