Published by Bruce Zhou – Jota Machinery
Publish time: 🕙 Monday, 08 June 2026 — 11:12:45 AM (GMT+8)
Address: No. 68, Shaojing Road, Economic Development Zone, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing are working on an applied research project to turn flax and hemp crop fibres into biodegradable, bottle-grade plastics for cleaning product packaging.
The project has received $250,000 from the Agriculture Development Fund through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, plus $7,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.
Targeting Stronger Biodegradable Packaging
Most biodegradable plastics are suitable for compostable cutlery, food containers or thin films, but many lack the strength and chemical resistance needed for detergent bottles.
Cleaning product packaging must withstand:
- alkaline degreasers
- detergents
- acidic solutions
- warehouse storage
- shipping impact
- high-speed blow moulding
The project aims to develop biocomposite pellets that can perform like traditional plastic while reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.
Using Local Agricultural Fibre
Researchers will evaluate Saskatchewan-grown flax and hemp fibres based on:
- fibre quality
- availability
- cost
- sustainability
- compatibility with biodegradable resins
The goal is to create a fibre-reinforced bioplastic formulation that flows smoothly in blow moulding equipment and produces durable bottles.
Industry Testing at EnviroWay
Prototype bottles will be filled with real cleaning products and tested for:
- leaching
- material degradation
- product stability
- durability
- compatibility with filling systems
EnviroWay’s Saskatoon facility will help validate the material on existing production lines and moulds.
Industry Insight
The project shows how agricultural residues can become higher-value packaging materials. If successful, flax and hemp fibres could create new markets for Saskatchewan farmers while supporting biodegradable packaging innovation.
Final Thought
The research highlights the growing connection between agriculture, bioplastics and packaging manufacturing. By turning underused prairie fibres into durable cleaning product bottles, Sask Polytech and EnviroWay are building a practical pathway toward lower-carbon, biodegradable packaging.
Last Updated on 08/06/2026 by Jota Machinery