STRONGER, LIGHTER, LOWER COST ALTERNATIVE TO GLASS REINFORCED PLASTICS
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Plastics are a $580 billion global industry led by some of the world’s largest petrochemical companies. The vast majority of plastics are made from compounds derived from petroleum and natural gas. These polymers are often reinforced with glass fiber and mineral-based fillers. The ingredients of glass (sand, soda ash and limestone) are mined, creating significant negative environmental impact. To manufacture glass these ingredients must be heated to over 3,000 degrees F, generating CO2 emissions. Children’s toys, medical devices, automotive parts, plastic bottles, and countless other products have their origin in offshore oil rigs, transport tankers, refineries, and mines.
Of equal concern is that plastics incorporate over 10,000 different chemicals in the manufacturing process. These range from bisphenol-A (BPA) to brominated flame retardants, which can interfere with the endocrine system, effect fertility, and even cause cancer. Lack of co-ordination between manufacturers means that many plastics that share similar properties have different chemical compositions, making recycling difficult, if not impossible. And because petroleum-based plastics do not biodegrade they fill our landfills and pollute our land and oceans.
The good news is that there is a new generation of plastics, made from renewable, bio-based polymers that can be recycled or even composted. Globally bioplastics are already a $11 billion industry and thanks to pressure from consumers, government agencies, and industry bio-based plastics are growing at a compounded annual rate of over 23%. By transitioning to carbohydrate rather than hydrocarbon-based materials we can create lighter, stronger and far more sustainable products.
PRODUCT ADVANTAGES
INCA BioPlastics enable manufacturers to produce cost competitive, 100% bio-based, high-performance products. Our hemp-based BioPlastics are a direct substitute for polystyrene and other glass reinforced plastics. Our patented methodology to compound precisely dimensioned hemp fibre with bio-polymers improves the structural performance of the final products being produced by 2 to 3 times. Manufacturers can use the resulting pellets on their existing injection molding equipment to make strong, cost competitive furniture, toys, cutlery, automotive parts and a myriad of other products.
Refined hemp fiber is an excellent substitute for glass fibre in the reinforcement of plastics because it is lighter and can be easily recycled back into functional materials at the end of its useful life. When compounded with bio-based polymers, it is not only recyclable but compostable, ending the plastic litter that covers our beaches and pollutes our land.

WITH RECYCLED RESIN:

91%
less carbon
emissions

64%
less waste
production

59%
less water
consumption
Each m3 sequesters 518 kg of CO2e
With bio-based resin each m3 sequesters 1,796.40 kg of CO2e

Lowers Ocean Plastic Pollution
Manufacturers react to the proposed Ont. and federal budgets
Manufacturers across industries react with optimism to the proposed Ontario and federal government budgets tabled last month, offering tax credits and benefits for cleantech initiatives.
On Mar. 23, the Ont. government announced its proposed provincial budget, naming a 10 per cent …