CBU’s Verschuren Centre Receives approximately $1M in Research Funding

Cape Breton University’s Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment has been awarded a total of $997,505 by the Government of Canada to fund two food sector research projects. The announcement was made today in the Verschuren Centre, where a crowd of more than 60 researchers, faculty members, students, government officials and community guests gathered in support of the initiatives. The contributions were made through ACOA’s  Business Development Program, which supports small and medium-sized companies’ innovations to commercialize research and improve competitiveness in international markets.
Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, announced the first investment of $497,505 for a project exploring the feasibility of extending product shelf life and reducing waste via new food packaging technologies. This project is a collaboration with Copol International Limited, a North Sydney-based company that manufactures plastic CPP film used in food packaging. “We are very excited to be working with the Verschuren Centre to develop the next generation of film for food packaging. The intent is to develop a film that will extend product shelf life and reduce food waste, and we are very appreciative of ACOA’s support to make this possible,” says Denis Lanoe, Vice President of Operations, Copol International Limited.
The Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney – Victoria, announced the second investment of $500,000 to fund research into revitalizing the oyster aquaculture industry. The project involves attempting to grow oysters in cages suspended close to the surface of the water, making them less susceptible to the MSX parasite. “This project, a terrific blend of curiosity and innovation, has great potential to help mitigate strategies to revitalize the oyster farming industry in this region,” says Eyking.
The Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Nova Scotia Minister of Business shared his support for the initiatives, saying, “Partnerships between Nova Scotia businesses, our post-secondary institutions, and our talented graduates are helping drive innovation in our businesses, and advancing research.”
CBU President & Vice-Chancellor David C. Dingwall expressed his appreciation for the contributions on behalf of the Board of Governors, and the CBU community as a whole.
Beth Mason, CEO of the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment notes, “These two very different projects exemplify the capacity of the Verschuren Centre to bring our expertise to advance local business development for companies and sectors. Through collaborative research, we progress from innovation to commercialization.”