An Okotoks-area group of companies recently launched an innovation centre to kick-start advancements in the chemical industry.
10FOLD Group operates three companies, Evergreen Solutions, Laranja Chemical and VerdeChem Technologies, and launched its Innovation Hub last month.
The group develops sustainable, clean and effective chemicals for industrial use, said CEO Nathan Neufeld.
“That's really what I call our superpower, is being able to design innovative solutions to do good things in industry,” Neufeld said.
Research and development and chemical manufacturing takes place at the group's headquarters in the Warner Business Park near Okotoks, where chemicals are made for use in oil and gas, mining, transportation, construction and manufacturing.
The new Innovation Hub lets the companies combine their research and development efforts, Neufeld said.
“Instead of having two or three or even one scientist working on a problem and scratching their head trying to resolve it, he’s in a room full of amazing people that can all weigh in,” he said.
The organization looks for inefficiencies or processes that use chemicals hazardous to the environment or to workers and looks for better solutions.
"We do some pretty cool things and and we have these novel, innovative solutions that are literally being used around the world," Neufeld said.
The group moved its operation to the Okotoks area a decade ago.
From roots in Alberta’s oil patch, the organization has expanded into Canadian and international markets after forming in Calgary almost 30 years ago, Neufeld said.
Neufeld said the organization grew over the years into the three businesses. Research and development was fragmented as the companies specialized in different areas, he said.
“We saw a tremendous opportunity to bring all these elements together,” he said.
The hub will drive future expansion of the business, VP of operations Brett Schenk said.
"The Innovation Hub is really the nucleus and the the brain behind everything," Schenk added.
