Canada Invested $1.98 Million in Sustainable Fertilizer
The federal funding supports the development of biodegradable coatings for nitrogen fertilizers using surplus starch.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Botany
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The Canadian government has provided up to $1.98 million to Burnaby-based Lucent BioSciences Inc. to advance sustainable fertilizer technology. This initiative aims to help farmers improve nitrogen efficiency and lower costs by using biodegradable coatings.
Why it matters
The investment seeks to decrease agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the use of microplastics in farming operations. By utilizing surplus starch, the project addresses waste while optimizing fertilizer delivery for plant growth cycles.
The federal funding is provided through the research and innovation stream of the Agricultural Clean Technology program, which has supported 535 projects to date. This latest grant follows a previous $1.3 million investment received by Lucent BioSciences Inc. in 2022.
The players
Lucent BioSciences Inc.
A company headquartered in Burnaby that specializes in developing sustainable agricultural technologies.
Agricultural Clean Technology program
A Canadian federal program that has invested more than $314 million across 535 projects to date.
Simon Fraser University Chemistry Department
An academic department providing research expertise for the development of biodegradable fertilizer coatings.
A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.
A professional laboratory service provider acting as a project partner for this sustainable technology development.
Bureau Veritas Canada
A testing, inspection, and certification firm participating as a project partner in this agricultural research initiative.
The details
Lucent BioSciences Inc. is developing a controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer that features a biodegradable coating derived from surplus starch. The project is being carried out in collaboration with partners including A&L Canada Laboratories Inc, Bureau Veritas Canada, 4D LABs, and the Simon Fraser University Chemistry Department.
Timeline
Lucent BioSciences Inc. received $1.3 million in federal funding during 2022.
The federal government announced the new $1.98 million investment on October 12, 2026.
Deeper Dive
This project follows the pattern set by the Agricultural Clean Technology program, which continues to allocate capital toward innovations that mitigate the environmental footprint of Canadian farming. The funding marks a shift toward specialized biodegradable materials as a solution to microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils.
Farmers could see reduced operational costs and improved nitrogen efficiency once the technology is successfully commercialised. The initiative also aims to lower the environmental impact of current farming practices by reducing microplastic usage.
The takeaway
The development of starch-based fertilizer coatings reflects a broader transition toward using agricultural waste products to solve complex industrial environmental challenges. Integrating these sustainable technologies can help producers maintain yield targets while simultaneously reducing their reliance on synthetic materials.
Further reading
For more information on the latest innovations in the field, explore the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Carillon.
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