Aurora Cannabis Completes Strategic Investment in Micron Waste Technologies
January 15, 2018Company Engages BC Research - First Digester to Be Installed at Aurora Cannabis Facility in Q2 of Calendar 2018
Vancouver, British Columbia, February 27, 2018 – Micron Waste Technologies Inc. (“Micron” or the “Company”) (CSE: MWM, OTC: MICWF, Frankfurt: 7FM2) today announced that the Company has engaged the services of renowned engineering consultancy, BC Research Inc. to accelerate the commercialization process of its waste digester technology for the cannabis industry.
Micron has developed a new technology, based on aerobic digestion and subsequent treatment, that converts organic waste into clean water that meets municipal effluent discharge standards. The effluent from currently available digester-based treatment systems of organic waste does not meet municipal discharge standards and requires costly further treatment. Many organizations that generate organic waste currently use municipal landfill sites for their organic waste, which is costly and has a negative impact on the environment. The merits of Micron’s technology have been successfully demonstrated with a grocery supermarket chain located in British Columbia, Canada, and Micron has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the group to plan for additional installation of Micron’s organic waste digester units at other locations in BC.
Per the Company’s press releases of January 15, 2018 and December 19, 2017, Micron has completed a strategic partnership with Aurora Cannabis for the optimization of the Company’s technology for the cannabis industry. The companies are currently progressing well with the preliminary research towards the installation of the first unit at one of Aurora’s cultivation facilities, anticipated for the second calendar quarter of 2018.
Micron has now engaged the services of renowned engineering consultancy BC Research, which has a strong track record in helping commercialize new technologies. BC Research, which predominantly works with large enterprises on process research, custom engineering, pilot plant services, also provides access to a vertically integrated technology development and commercialization ecosystem.
The work with BC Research, which is conducted in parallel with the Aurora Project, serves to deliver a unit that functions in a broad temperature range, making it suitable for deployment on a global scale in wide range of climates. Furthermore, leveraging BC Research`s deep expertise in commercializing technologies, the project aims to develop a digester unit suitable for mass production.
The new unit, which will form the blue print for subsequent commercial units, will be installed at one of Aurora Cannabis’s cultivation facilities for validation in this particular industry. Micron therefore anticipates accelerating time to market for its technology, enabling the Company to commence penetration of the cannabis sector. The optimization for temperature range will significantly increase the marketability of the technology to a range of other industries.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with BC Research and Aurora Cannabis to develop a market- ready Micron Cannabis Waste Digester,” said Rav Mlait, CEO. “The enhanced features requested by our clients are anticipated to accelerate commercial adoption and make Micron’s technology more attractive to cannabis producers seeking a less costly, more convenient, and “greener” means of handling organic waste. We anticipate that the results from our efforts with Aurora Cannabis will not only accelerate our entry into this sector, but allow us to leverage the results to develop access to large new markets.”
“We are excited to be part of this project. The potential applicability of Micron’s technology to a wide range of industrial challenges makes it an attractive reason for our organization to be engaged. Tackling some of the cannabis cultivation industry’s needs is an example of where the technology may fit well, and it provides another opportunity to demonstrate the technology in a very different industrial application.”, stated Sergio Berretta, vice president and COO at BC Research. “We look forward to bringing our expertise in commercializing new technologies to the Aurora-Micron project, and are excited about the broader potential of the Micron Waste Digester.”
About BC Research Inc
BC Research Inc. (BCRI), as part of the NORAM family of companies, has a global reputation for innovation and excellence in the supply of proprietary engineering and equipment packages to the chemical, pulp and paper, minerals processing and electrochemical sectors. Their six specialized business groups, with a staff of over 200 professionals, have completed capital projects on five continents. They are recognized worldwide as a leader in the fields of nitration, sulfuric acid and electrochemistry. In addition to carrying out large assignments for major multi-national clients and municipalities, BCRI works with early-stage technology companies. They provide engineering design and fabrication support, sharing their experience in technology commercialization, and growing with companies as a strategic stakeholder.
About Aurora
Aurora’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR”).
The Company operates a 55,200 square foot, state-of- the-art production facility in Mountain View County, Alberta, known as "Aurora Mountain", and a second 40,000 square foot high-technology production facility known as “Aurora Vie” in Pointe-Claire, Quebec on Montreal’s West Island. In January 2018, Aurora’s 800,000 square foot flagship cultivation facility, Aurora Sky, located at the Edmonton International Airport, was licensed. Once at full capacity, Aurora Sky is expected to produce over 100,000 kg per annum of cannabis. Aurora is also completing a fourth facility in Lachute, Quebec utilizing its wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Larssen Projects Ltd.
Aurora also owns Berlin-based Pedanios, the leading wholesale importer, exporter, and distributor of medical cannabis in the European Union. The Company offers further differentiation through its acquisition of BC Northern Lights Ltd. and Urban Cultivator Inc., industry leaders, respectively, in the production and sale of proprietary systems for the safe, efficient and high-yield indoor cultivation of cannabis, and in state-of- the-art indoor gardening appliances for the cultivation of organic microgreens, vegetables and herbs in home and professional kitchens.
Aurora holds a 19.88% ownership interest in Liquor Stores N.A., who intend developing a cannabis retail network in Western Canada. In addition, the Company holds approximately 17.23% of the issued shares in leading extraction technology company Radient Technologies Inc., and has a strategic investment in Hempco Food and Fiber Inc., with options to increase ownership stake to over 50%. Aurora is also the cornerstone investor in two other licensed producers, with a 22.9% stake in Cann Group Limited, the first Australian company licensed to conduct research on and cultivate medical cannabis, and a 17.62% stake in Canadian producer The Green Organic Dutchman Ltd., with options to increase to majority ownership.
On Behalf of the Board
Rav Mlait
Chief Executive Officer and Director