KAMLOOPS, BC, March 5,
2025 /CNW/ - Progressive Planet (TSXV: PLAN)
(OTCQB: ASHXF) ("Progressive Planet", "PLAN", or the
"Company") is proud to announce up to $4,636,468 in funding to support the construction
of a pilot plant to produce PozGlass™, a low-carbon
supplementary cementitious material (SCM) derived from
post-consumer glass. This funding from Sustainable Development
Technology Canada (SDTC) covers a four-year period. The first
tranche of $1,555,682 was received by
Progressive Planet on January 31,
2025.
"PozGlass™ is our solution to reducing the carbon
footprint of cement production. This funding allows us to innovate,
reduce emissions, and create value from post-consumer glass, a
material that has been historically misallocated and considered
waste," said Steve Harpur, CEO of
Progressive Planet. "We are grateful for the financial support of
SDTC, whose substantial investment is driving this project
forward."
This investment represents a significant milestone in
Canada's push toward decarbonizing
the construction industry. Cement production, a key contributor to
global CO2 output, currently accounts for over 7% of
worldwide emissions. PozGlass™ represents a viable
solution by reducing reliance on clinker, the carbon-intensive
ingredient in traditional cement, while diverting post-consumer
glass from landfills.
"Having the support of SDTC, and Canada's largest cement company, Lafarge
Canada, reinforces that PozGlass™ is a relevant and
promising solution to decarbonizing the production of cement," said
Steve Harpur, Progressive Planet
CEO.
On June 29, 2023, Progressive
Planet announced that it had signed a purchase agreement with
Lafarge Canada Inc. ("Lafarge Canada") agreeing to purchase all the
PozGlass™ 100G ("PozGlass") produced by Progressive
Planet's pilot plant up to a maximum of 3,500 metric tonnes per
year.
As part of this 2023 agreement, Lafarge Canada agreed to provide
technical guidance and support to Progressive Planet in advancing
the proprietary PozGlass™ technology through design,
construction, and operation of the pilot plant.
"Progressive Planet is grateful to have had the continued
support of Lafarge Canada as it sought non-dilutive funding to
shoulder a portion of the costs of building the
PozGlass™ pilot plant," stated Harpur.
"With traditional sources of supplementary cementitious
materials in decline globally, innovation is more critical than
ever. Companies like Progressive Planet are providing new options
to reduce the embodied carbon of building materials through
circular economy advancements. We are thankful to the Government of
Canada for their ongoing support
of emerging technologies and look forward to working with
Progressive Planet on the testing and use of PozGlass™,"
said Brad Kohl, President & CEO,
Lafarge Canada (West).
A Scalable, Canadian Innovation
The Kamloops facility will
serve as a hub for innovation and production, leveraging
Canada's abundant post-consumer
glass supply to scale PozGlass™ for global markets.
Unlike traditional SCMs such as fly ash, which face dwindling
supply as provinces phase out coal-fired power (1,2),
PozGlass™ is made from post-consumer glass – primarily
sourced from cities, the very places that are the largest consumers
of Portland cement. This proximity
to raw materials and end-users ensures PozGlass™
integrates seamlessly into existing cement production processes,
offering a scalable and sustainable solution for the industry.
This project aligns with Canada's commitment to advancing clean
technology and circular economy principles. By turning waste into a
valuable commodity, the PozGlass™ pilot plant will help
position Canada as a global leader
in low-carbon cement solutions, creating jobs and fostering
sustainable economic growth.
Building Momentum Toward a Low-Carbon Future
The global low-carbon cement market, valued at US$2 billion in 2023, is projected to triple by
2034. With partnerships spanning investors, engineers, and
construction stakeholders, Progressive Planet is poised to
capitalize on this growth while reducing the carbon footprint of
one of the world's most essential industries.
The pilot plant is expected to begin operations in October 2025, marking a key step toward scaling
PozGlass™ production and accelerating its adoption
across North America and beyond.
The first phase of operations includes dry processing of the
post-consumer glass to remove all contaminants from the glass while
creating the coarse glass powder which is the sole ingredient of
PozGlass™.
In Phase 1, Progressive Planet will also make other coarse glass
products such as CanBlast™, a crystalline silica-free
sand blasting media which Progressive Planet has sold for over a
decade, but had it made by a third-party company using
post-consumer glass.
Phase Two will involve wet grinding of coarse glass powder to
create PozGlass™. Phase 2 construction of the wet
grinding facility is expected to be completed in late 2026.
About Lafarge Canada Inc.
Lafarge Canada is the largest provider of innovative and
sustainable building solutions in Canada, including aggregates, cement, ready
mix and precast concrete, asphalt and paving, and road and civil
construction. We have over 7,500 employees and 400 sites across the
country, and as an affiliate of Holcim, Lafarge Canada is driven by
the Group's purpose to build progress for people and the
planet.
Holcim's 63,448 employees are on a mission to decarbonize
building while improving living standards for all. Holcim empowers
its customers to build better with less, with a broad range of
low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact® to
ECOPlanet®. Through innovative systems, from Elevate's
roofing to PRB's insulation, Holcim makes buildings more
sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green
retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy,
Holcim is on its way to becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C
targets validated by SBTi.
www.lafarge.ca
About SDTC
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has supported
Canadian companies in developing and scaling innovative clean
technology solutions to address some of the world's most urgent
environmental challenges, including climate change, clean air,
clean water, and clean soil. SDTC programming has now transitioned
to the National Research Council of
Canada (NRC). This new
programming under NRC IRAP will continue to provide critical
support for Canadian cleantech companies.
About Progressive Planet:
Progressive Planet, based in Kamloops,
British Columbia, is redefining sustainability with our
Products for a Healthy Planet™. By leveraging
owned mineral assets and recycled materials, we develop patented
and patent-pending innovations that promote a healthier planet.
Our C-Quester™ Centre of Sustainable Solutions leads
advancements in low-carbon cement technologies, while our second
on-site lab focuses on sustainable solutions for agriculture and
animal care. Progressive Planet's products are proudly available in
over 10,000 retail locations across North
America. For more information,
visit progressiveplanet.com.
Progressive Planet provides regular information for investors on
its website: progressiveplanet.com/investors/. This includes
press releases and other information about financial performance,
patents filed, and information on corporate governance.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking
statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding
the matters described herein including statements regarding the
development of future products. Forward-looking statements consist
of statements that are not purely historical, including any
statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions
regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or
developments to differ materially from those contained in the
statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if
they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them.
These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views
and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions
which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and
uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements,
including factors beyond the Company's control. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news
release.
Disclaimer:
This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not
constitute an offer of securities and is not for distribution or
dissemination outside Canada.
SOURCE Progressive Planet Solutions Inc.
