Baymag, ZS2 partnership targets better construction technologies
Baymag, North America's leading producer of magnesium oxide, and ZS2 Technologies, a rapidly growing Alberta-based developer of innovative building technologies, have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of high-performance construction technologies that are safer, healthier and sustainable.
Through the partnership, the companies, both headquartered in Calgary, will reduce environmental effects in the Baymag mine and in their respective operations. It will include raw material supply, joint research and development activities, and marketing initiatives for new products in the building materials industry.
Baymag is Canada's sole producer of magnesium oxide, with state-of-the art processing facilities in Exshaw and a mine site near Radium, B.C.
The partnership coincides with Baymag's recent multimillion-dollar expansion of its world-class processing facility and strategic investment into the Alberta economy. Proposed R&D projects from the partnership will include the capture and utilization of CO2 at its Exshaw operations and optimization of the waste ore ratio at the Mount Brussilof mine.
“For over 40 years Baymag has been working with a diverse group of industry leading clients to deliver the world's purest magnesium oxide for various industry applications,” says Dr. Franz Spachtholz, president and CEO.
“We are extremely excited to partner with and accelerate the efforts of ZS2 Technologies, who are bringing sustainable products to the construction industry and providing Baymag with an opportunity to reduce our own environmental impact. The development of low-carbon, high-performance building technologies represents a tremendous opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of the global building industry, along with the potential to generate significant economic benefits for Alberta and Canada.”
ZS2 Technologies CEO Scott Jenkins says: “The support and confidence Dr. Spachtholz and his team have shown us is overwhelming. Their commitment to the technologies we have commercialized and have under development will allow us to accelerate our goal to bring sustainable, safer, resilient construction technologies to our commercial and residential clients.”
The partnership is another major step forward for ZS2 Technologies following its acquisition in June of IPB systems, Canada's leading provider of pre-manufactured structurally insulated panels, operating out of Northern British Columbia. As well, its own new manufacturing and R&D facility — with the relocation of IPB'S SIP manufacturing that doubled its Calgary capacity — is now fully up and running.
Jenkins says he is amazed and gratified to see the support in Alberta for the development of world-class technologies in his company's mission to research and accelerate the adoption of advanced building technologies that have garnered interest around the world.
ZS2 Technologies currently has 25 full-time employees in Calgary plus seven technology partners in western U.S. states and Alaska.
NOTES
■ The Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta has organized a breakfast presentation with the oil and gas sector delegation from Colombia who are visiting the Global Energy Show. Keynote speaker at the Sept. 21 networking event at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel is Colombia's Energy and Mines Minister Diego Mesa.
■ Social Venture Partners (SVP) Calgary is launching the first cohort of its new Philanthropy Lab next month, offering the community new ways to support non-profits from the comfort of their home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. SVP is a hub for engaged philanthropists that connect non-profit organizations with high-skill volunteers, resulting in an unparalleled social impact within our community. The first of its kind, the Philanthropy Lab will pair volunteers' unique experience and skill sets with a foundational understanding of non-profit organizations, allowing volunteers to maximize their time and impact on any given project. SVP Calgary is inviting new volunteers with exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, project management and leadership skills to join the Philanthropy Lab's first non-profit fundamentals course. Executive director Sarah Wuntke says, “Our curated curriculum is specific to the needs of high-skill volunteers so that they can truly co-create solutions alongside the non-profit sector leaders and innovators.”
Baymag has been working with a diverse group of industry leading clients to deliver the world's purest magnesium oxide.