Case Studies
QuantoTech Solutions
Sustainable Packaging Innovation for Indoor Farming
QuantoTech Solutions is a Vancouver-based vertical farming company dedicated to sustainable agriculture. By designing and manufacturing equipment locally, they offer innovative solutions, including 100% recyclable and compostable packaging, ensuring safe and eco-friendly delivery of delicate produce like butterhead lettuce.
Business Problem
Plastic packaging in agriculture contributes to significant environmental harm, from long-term pollution to ecosystem disruption. With Canada鈥檚 single-use plastic ban, QuantoTech needed a sustainable alternative for protecting delicate produce without compromising food safety or quality.
BCCAI Service Offering
In 2023, BCCAI provided funding and facilitated a partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), enabling QuantoTech to:
- Develop and test sustainable packaging prototypes.
- Integrate a CanadaGAP-compliant food safety management system.
- Gain expert guidance on navigating food safety standards and sustainable packaging innovations.
Insight
QuantoTech achieved a deeper understanding of sustainable packaging materials and food safety practices through this collaboration. The project underscored the critical role of eco-friendly solutions in driving the future of agriculture while reducing waste across the supply chain.
Project Outcome & Impact
100%
Recyclable and compostable packaging bags developed
$20,000
provided for prototype development
Economic Impact
Created one non-HQP job and enhanced market readiness for CanadaGAP-certified customers.
Future Growth
Positioned QuantoTech for expansion into grocery and restaurant markets while pursuing additional innovations like auto-dosing technology and CO2 reduction initiatives.
鈥淏CCAI gave us the expertise and support we needed to eliminate plastic packaging. Their guidance and partnerships with BCIT allowed us to innovate and meet the highest food safety standards, preparing us for growth and sustainability in the evolving agricultural sector.鈥�
- Alycia van der Gracht, Founder and CEO, Quantotech Solutions
