Aduro Clean Technologies Inc., a clean technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower-value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21st century, and Cleanfarms Inc. (known as AgriRÉCUP in Quebec), a Canadian Producer Responsibility Organization focused on agricultural waste management, signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The two companies will engage in a multi-phase collaboration to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of using Aduro’s Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT) to chemically recycle difficult-to-recycle agricultural plastic waste into usable hydrocarbon products, supporting improved diversion, resource recovery, and circularity in the farming sector.

Three stage-gated phases

The collaboration will progress through three stage-gated phases designed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of using the Hydrochemolytic Technology to process post-consumer agricultural plastics.

Phases A and B are binding, while Phase C is non-binding and contingent on the successful outcomes of the earlier phases.

Phase A: Laboratory Feasibility Trails

Aduro will conduct laboratory-scale testing on representative agricultural plastic waste samples provided by Cleanfarms. These samples are expected to include mixed silage film, bale wrap, grain bags, bale netting, and polypropylene twine in their collected, unprocessed form to reflect real-world levels of contamination from soil, organic matter, and moisture.

Aduro will assess sorting and pre-treatment requirements and conduct batch Hydrochemolytic processing trials to determine contaminant tolerance, conversion efficiency, and product composition. The results will help define preprocessing requirements and feedstock suitability for scale-up.

Phase B: Scale-Up and Process Modeling

Cleanfarms will supply larger volumes of field-grade agricultural plastics for processing in Aduro’s Next Generation Pilot plant.

Aduro will evaluate system performance under continuous flow, investigate preprocessing needs, and assess operational stability. This phase will also include the development of a preliminary techno-economic and eco-efficiency model, incorporating key processing parameters, product yields, environmental impact, and potential market value of outputs.

Phase C: Demonstration Plant Integration

Contingent on the successful completion of Phases A and B, agricultural plastics may be evaluated as a potential feedstock for inclusion in Aduro’s planned Demonstration Plant.

While the project is in early-stage development, securing representative, scalable feedstock streams is a critical component. This phase would support validation of continuous operation with agricultural plastics and further refine the techno-economic model, leveraging Cleanfarms’ experience in logistics and national collection programs to inform broader commercial deployment strategies.

“Evaluating chemical recycling is a vital step in building a more complete circular economy for Canadian agriculture. We’re encouraged by Aduro’s progress to date and eager to learn more about its potential applicability for agriculture,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director at Cleanfarms.