Bast Fibre Technologies

Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. is a cleantech fibre engineering company that specializes in manufacturing specialty natural fibres for various applications across the nonwoven industry. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, the company has established itself as a leader in the field of technical natural fibres, which are sourced from the stems of annually renewable plants like hemp and linen. The company's mission revolves around providing innovative upstream solutions to the global plastics crisis by engineering technical natural fibres that can replace plastic in many consumer fabrics. Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. operates with a business ecosystem approach, bringing together a coordinated team of plant biologists, growers, engineers, manufacturing specialists, and business leaders who share a passion for natural fibres. Over the years, the company has undergone significant growth and development: - From 2016 to 2020, they focused on extensive research and development, intellectual property build-out, product development, and scaling up their technical natural fibre platform. - In 2020 and 2021, they expanded their team to include over 60 fibre industry professionals and sustainability leaders located in Canada, the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. - They have also established and developed manufacturing capacity in the European Union and North America by acquiring facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and North Carolina, USA. - In 2022, Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. launched the first consumer products containing their next-generation sero™ natural fibres in collaboration with European commercial partners. - A major strategic financial partnership in 2022 has set the company on a path to expand its annual natural fibre manufacturing capacity to over 50,000 tonnes. The company's leadership team includes Jason Finnis as the Executive VP and Chief Innovation Officer, Lars Bo Lauritzen as the Chief Commercial Officer, Pieter Meijer as the General Manager for Europe, and Chuck Oxendine as the President and Chief Operating Officer. Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. is also a member of several associations, including EDANA (the Global Nonwovens Association), the United States Green Building Council, the National Hemp Association, the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, the National Industrial Hemp Council of America, INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry), and the European Industrial Hemp Association. With a global mindset and local growth strategies, Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. is committed to imparting meaningful change in communities and the environment, guided by a comprehensive Code of Conduct that outlines the company's values and business practices.