MAY 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


13


Yarn spins a sustainable future for greenhouses Cellulose from the forest sector yields high-tech fibre that cuts plastics in greenhouses


by TAMARA LEIGH


BURNABY – Biodegradable yarn initially developed for military and aerospace applications may be the answer to the growing greenhouse issue of reducing plastic waste. BioMid yarn, developed by Burnaby-based Gordon Shank Consulting was one of four winners of the Agritech Innovation Challenge issued by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Innovation Council last year.


The challenge identified the sustainability of BC's greenhouse sector as one of four priority issues. Specifically, developing an innovative, economically viable solution to produce plastic-free crop debris. BC’s greenhouse sector includes 64 operations with 309 hectares under glass. While the industry is known for the efficient production of high-quality, high-value crops, the use of plastic twine to hold up the plants is an issue. At the end of the production season, thousands of kilometers of twine are cut down with the spent vines. Twine and plant debris need to be separated before they can be disposed of – a time- consuming manual task. Gordon Shank specializes


in developing advanced bio- derived fibres, including BioMid, a sustainable fibre that is being sold in over 30 countries for a variety of industrial uses. “Natural fibres are traditionally not robust enough to be suitable for commercial agriculture. What's been used forever for plants to vine up is polypropylene or nylon string, both oil derivatives,” says Shank. “The yarn that I developed was easily adapted


to the agriculture industry and provides a biodegradable alternative to conventional twine.” Minor adaptations were


required to the original product to get a fibre that was strong enough for agricultural use while still being biodegradable. The process uses waste cellulose from the forestry industry. “It’s a waste material of a waste material. This cellulose is tiny microscopic filaments, and they are all random,” Shank explains. “What I did is develop a process that basically loosens up these filaments and spins them through a jet so they naturally bond back together into a continuous yarn. Spinning these tiny microscopic filaments into continuous alignment increases the strength.” The results of a feasibility


study for BioMid fibres in agriculture found that the new string produced only 0.8 kg of carbon dioxide emissions for every tonne of fibre, versus 3,000 kg of emissions for every tonne of conventional twine. “To reduce carbon


footprint to 1/3000 of original, for me it's kind of a monumental accomplishment,” says Shank. “The award money from the Agritech Innovation Challenge is going towards certification of that life cycle analysis.” Shank credits the


Innovation Challenge with attracting his interest in agriculture, a market that he had not previously considered. The product will be field tested on more than 20 acres of bell peppers this season at Calais Farms in Abbotsford. The field testing will run concurrently with a scientific


Gordon Shank shows off his firm’s innovative, biodegradable yarn. GORDON SHANK CONSULTING PHOTO


optimization project to refine features including twist level, knotability and texture.


Lots of opportunity


Beyond greenhouse yarn, Shank sees lots of opportunity for innovation and bio-derived materials in agriculture. He is beginning to explore other fibre product options, including baling twine and ties for use in berry and hemp operations. He also sees possibilities for replacing conventional plastic and PVC irrigation hoses and fittings with bio-derived materials. “My observation as a


newcomer to agriculture is that the small things are very much overlooked and there's plenty of room for innovation on a much smaller scale,” says Shank, hinting at new things to come.


“Until the 1930s and 40s,


everything we used was bio- derived. When synthetics came on the market they were so cheap, abundant and versatile,” says Shank. “We've discovered now that synthetics may not be the best way to go. We're not inventing something new; we're getting back on track after this artificial bump of


synthetic euphoria.” For Shank, the success and


recognition of his product comes with a deeper, personal satisfaction. “For me, I regard this as a major personal accomplishment. I grew up in Abbotsford but as a First Nation person taken by the 60s scoop, I was taken into foster care at birth,” explains Shank. “At 18 years old, foster care ends and you’re out on the street, penniless. Thirty years later, I've come back to my hometown and I've created something meaningful.”


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