Transforming Marine Waste into Blue Nano-Carbon Adsorbent for Ocean Health and Net-Zero Innovation

Net Zero Atlantic is a non-profit organization, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that is seeking to advance a sustainable and inclusive transition to a carbon-neutral Atlantic Canada through the provision of credible and objective data and support services. In service of this objective, Net Zero Atlantic leads applied research projects designed to help inform Atlantic Canada’s transition to net zero emissions. There are still significant knowledge and technology gaps that must be identified and addressed, and the Emerging Concepts and Technologies (ECT) Research Program will make R&D investments to foster early-stage genesis of novel technologies in the region, and to evaluate the suitability of technologies emerging from other jurisdictions for application in the region. The economic potential for current emerging technologies in Canada is significant. By the 2060s, the market for netzero solutions for the steel, cement, and chemicals sectors, for example, could reach almost $100 billion USD per year.
This project directly benefits the industry partner, Shifting Shap3s Inc., a Nova Scotia–based clean technology company focused on recycling, circular economy solutions, and sustainable materials innovation. Through this collaboration, Shifting Shap3s Inc. gains access to validated experimental, environmental, and techno-economic data to support the development of marine waste–derived Blue Nano-Carbon Adsorbents (BNCA) as a novel, lowcarbon product for coastal and industrial applications. The project addresses a key challenge faced by the company: identifying scalable, economically viable pathways to convert difficult-to-manage marine biomass waste into high-value, market-ready materials. By integrating real process data, adsorption performance results, and Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessments, the project enables Shifting Shap3s Inc. to de-risk technology development, refine its commercialization strategy, and evaluate market opportunities in aquaculture, harbor remediation, and water treatment. The outcomes strengthen the company’s capacity to deliver circular blue economy solutions, reduce dependence on imported fossil-based adsorbents, and support compliance with emerging climate and waste reduction policies. For Net Zero Atlantic and Shifting Shap3s Inc., the project generates region-specific datasets and scalable innovation pathways that advance clean-tech deployment and contribute to Atlantic Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amyl Ghanem

Student:

Partner:

Net Zero Atlantic;Shifting Shap3s Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: