April 16, 2021 · Halifax, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Helping Atlantic Canadian businesses scale up and bring new products to market is key to building a diverse, resilient economy. Halifax-based DeNova is developing technology to convert greenhouse gases into a protein that can be used in aquafeed.
Federal government investment fuels innovative problem solving
Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, announced a repayable contribution of $250,000 to help DeNova further develop and scale up its conversion technology. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.
The contribution will help the company grow, acquire new equipment and lay the groundwork for a prototype facility to convert industrial emissions into methanol, an ingredient needed to produce the microbial protein. DeNova's innovative technology is working to provide a sustainable solution to address anticipated protein shortages in the aquaculture industry while drastically reducing carbon emissions.
Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to help Canadian businesses innovate and help build a cleaner future for all Canadians. Funding for strategic projects like this one drives business growth, creates highly skilled jobs and makes Atlantic Canadian communities stronger.
Quotes
"Companies that use clean technology to address real world problems are key to building a stronger, greener, more resilient economy. Our Government is pleased to be helping these businesses to scale-up, grow, compete and contribute to a robust, lasting recovery."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
"DeNova is helping grow Nova Scotia's marine biotechnology sector as it creates a unique product with the potential to enable aquaculture to meet the food needs of a growing global population. By supporting clean growth projects like this one, we are creating highly skilled jobs while building a sustainable Atlantic economy and healthy environment."
- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax
"We sincerely appreciate the support from ACOA and their belief in DeNova's vision to create meaningful change in global protein supply chains. DeNova's unique technology platforms offer a solution to the protein challenge, leveraging innovation as an enabler of creating a healthy and sustainable planet."
- Brianna Stratton, President, DeNova
Quick facts
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DeNova first opened its headquarters in Halifax in 2017 and has had operations in Alberta since 2020.
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DeNova is developing and commercializing breakthrough technologies to produce sustainable single cell protein on a large-scale to use in the aquaculture and feed ingredient sectors.
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Current food systems and supply chains cannot sustainably meet the growing demand for animal-derived protein, which is expected to double by 2050.
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The company's proprietary carbon capture process could reduce methane emissions at industrial sites by 85 percent.
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DeNova's protein has Atlantic Canadian roots - it is derived from an organism discovered in New Brunswick, Methylovorus menthalis Strain J25 (Deposit No. IDAC 130619-01).
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Since last year, DeNova has doubled its employees to 12 in Halifax and plans to hire another four to six people by the end of 2021.
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Repayable funding for this project is provided through ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
