DicinFoam has launched pilot production of a biodegradable wood-based foam in Vancouver for protective packaging and building insulation. The facility will allow the company to validate the technology with potential customers before moving to larger-scale production.
Wood-based alternatives to conventional plastic foams are attracting growing research and commercial interest. DicinFoam distinguishes itself through its move into pilot production, its Indigenous-led commercialization model and its plans to locate future facilities close to forest-fibre supplies.
DicinFoam is a majority-owned subsidiary of Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP), the economic-development arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Dicin, pronounced “DIH-chun,” is the Wet’suwet’en word for wood.
The technology was developed in the laboratory of Dr. Feng Jiang, a professor in the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship. The intellectual property is co-owned by UBC and YLP.
The process uses heat, mechanical treatment and minimal chemical additives to transform wood fibre into a lightweight material. The pilot plant processes residues from softwood species such as spruce, pine and fir.
The technology is designed to accept a range of low-value feedstocks, including logging residues, bark, sawdust, wood shavings and timber affected by insects or wildfires. Other cellulosic fibres, such as recycled cardboard and paper or pulp sludge, may also be used depending on the formulation.
For protective packaging applications, the foam can be moulded into different shapes to replace some conventional plastic foams. According to DicinFoam, the material is designed to break down in soil within months, depending on its use and degradation conditions.
A denser version is also being developed as insulation panels, particularly for above-grade walls. The product continues to undergo testing and refinement as the company works toward meeting relevant building-performance requirements and standards.
According to UBC, the pilot plant currently produces between 150 and 200 kilograms of wood foam per day. This output allows potential customers to evaluate the material’s performance while helping DicinFoam confirm process consistency for larger components. The company shares the facility with Plantee, a manufacturer of wood-based construction materials whose industrial expertise is supporting the scale-up.
The federal government has committed C$1.66 million to the project through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program, supporting the pilot demonstration and commercialization of higher-value forest products.
DicinFoam next plans to establish a facility with an annual production capacity of 1,000 tonnes in Burns Lake, within Wet’suwet’en territory. The project could create up to 15 jobs and support the development of a regional supply chain for wood residues.
Over the longer term, the company envisions a 15,000-tonne-per-year facility on Vancouver Island. That phase could generate an additional 35 to 60 jobs and serve as a model for other Indigenous-owned production facilities.
