{"id":19508,"date":"2025-01-25T20:44:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T20:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanographene.org\/?p=19508"},"modified":"2025-07-04T23:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T23:04:12","slug":"the-story-of-cantimber-biotech-in-port-alberni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nanographene.org\/index.php\/the-story-of-cantimber-biotech-in-port-alberni\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story of Cantimber Biotech in Port Alberni"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This is a story, with some lessons, about setting up a biotech company on Vancouver Island focused on using logging waste to create a carbon product, activated carbon in this case. The story starts in 2015 and ends in 2018 in Port Alberni. The core of the problem were complaints by nearby residents on the air quality from the emissions of the plant. Initially the company blamed a cracked valve in the wet scrubber that was supposed introduce a water mist to remove pollutants from the exhaust gas. An independent consulting group were brought in and a series of recommendations were made in a 146 page report. Ultimately the company couldn’t meet the recommendations to the satisfaction of the Port Alberni Port Authority and on May 31st, 2018 their license to operate was terminated.<\/div>\n

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We initiated a conversation with an Ai agent to find out more information on the story and the company. That conversation is listed below.<\/p>\n

What can you tell me about Cantimber Biotech?<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cantimber Biotech, also known as CanTimber Biotech Inc, is a wood-based activated carbon manufacturer located in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada. The company focuses on producing activated carbon from wood biomass, which is used in various applications such as water filtration and air purification.<\/p>\n

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Cantimber Biotech has been working on implementing recommendations from a third-party evaluation of their operations and emissions to address air quality concerns in the area. The Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) oversees the project and ensures that all recommendations are met before granting a license for operation.<\/p>\n

The company is part of the Port Alberni Port Authority’s efforts to develop and grow the alternative energy and manufacturing sectors using leftover wood from the forest industry. This initiative aims to create environmentally responsible and safe opportunities for the community.<\/p>\n

Their operation in Port Alberni was terminated in 2018, what happened to them after that? https:\/\/www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com\/business\/port-alberni-cans-cantimber-carbon-processing-plant-7159852<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

After their operation in Port Alberni was terminated in 2018, Cantimber Biotech faced significant challenges. The Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) cancelled their Licence of Occupation due to various issues, including air quality concerns and the company’s failure to meet certain operational recommendations.<\/p>\n

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Since then, there hasn’t been much public information about Cantimber Biotech’s activities or whereabouts. It seems they have not resumed operations in Port Alberni or publicly announced any new projects.<\/p>\n

Who owns the company?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cantimber Biotech is owned by Michael Liu.<\/p>\n

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Tell me about Michael Liu<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Michael Liu is the Director of Project Development and Research at Cantimber Biotech. He has been involved in the company’s efforts to develop and implement new technologies, such as the secondary combustion chamber designed to burn and destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the production process.<\/p>\n

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Liu has also been vocal about addressing concerns related to the company’s emissions and their impact on the local community. He has stated that the fuel used at Cantimber comes from logging residues in the Alberni Valley.<\/p>\n

What current project is he involved in?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Michael Liu is currently involved in testing and implementing a secondary combustion chamber at Cantimber Biotech. This new upgrade is designed to burn and destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the production process, aiming to address air quality concerns.<\/p>\n

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Additionally, Liu is working on a project to produce a value-added wood product using logging residues from the Alberni Valley. This project is part of Cantimber’s efforts to create environmentally responsible and sustainable solution.<\/p>\n

Since Cantimber Biotech ended in 2018 what has he been doing since then?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It seems there isn’t much public information available about Michael Liu’s activities since Cantimber Biotech’s operations ended in 2018. There haven’t been any notable announcements or news articles detailing his career moves or projects post-2018.<\/p>\n

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Does he have a Linkedin profile?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I couldn’t find a LinkedIn profile specifically for Michael Liu from Cantimber Biotech. However, there is a Michael Liu who is a professor and advisor at the University of Waterloo, Canada. He is involved in the Information Technology Management and Math\/Business Administration Programs.<\/p>\n

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I think I found his profile here, it mentions Cantimber<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/michaelliuly\/<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Great find! It’s always helpful to have more information.<\/p>\n

It says he started a company called Cancarbon Technologies what can you tell me about that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I couldn’t find specific information about Cancarbon Technologies. It’s possible that it’s a relatively new or smaller company that hasn’t garnered much public attention yet.<\/p>\n

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He also mentions UBC BioProducts Institute what can you tell me about that<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The UBC BioProducts Institute (BPI) is part of the University of British Columbia. It focuses on sustainable and renewable bio-based materials, chemicals, and fuels. The institute aims to unlock the power of nature to create positive impacts across various sectors, including transportation, building, and healthcare.<\/p>\n

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BPI brings together researchers from diverse fields to work on innovative solutions to environmental challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and plastic waste. Their research themes include biocatalytic transformation of biomass, bio-nanoparticle enabled materials, bio-based polymers, and biorefinery systems.<\/p>\n

This is good, can you list their websites?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sure! Here are the websites for the UBC BioProducts Institute and Cancarbon Technologies:<\/p>\n

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