Micron's microbial and enzymatic waste digestion formulation has been validated in food and cannabis waste processing systems.
VANCOUVER AND DELTA, BC, JAN. 18, 2019 -- Micron Waste Technologies Inc. ("Micron" or the "Company") (CSE: MWM, OTC: MICWF, Frankfurt: 7FM2), a leading developer of waste treatment systems for food and cannabis waste, has been awarded a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent for its commercial biological waste treatment formulation. US Patent 10,144,044 secures the intellectual property on the Company's proprietary bio-process and compositions for the treatment of waste effluent. The patent recognizes and safeguards the innovative process developed by Micron's Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Bob Bhushan, whose research led to the development of "immobilization technology" to protect and enhance highly selective and effective microorganisms and enzymes. Dr. Bhushan's advanced bio-process effectively allows effluent-degrading, GRAS1-certified organisms to biodegrade organics inside Micron's patented industrial-grade Cannavore™ cannabis and food waste digester units. The immobilization process protects the live agents, which activate with increased potency and enhanced metabolic activity.
"This is an important and validating milestone for Micron, locking in our leadership in a new era in organic waste management," said Micron President and CEO Alfred Wong. "Dr. Bhushan's formula complements the efficiency of our Cannavore and food waste digesters and can be used as an additive to boost the efficiency of other waste treatment systems, increasing their ability to comply with government regulations."
Micron's latest patent strengthens overall intellectual property protection for its innovative waste treatments systems. In July, 2018 the Company announced it was awarded an Industrial Design Certificate of Registration from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), with US patent pending, for its commercial digester units, which employ the newly-patented bio-agents and process. The units' innovative, functional design enhances food digestion efficiency by up to 40% while reducing the machine's footprint and digestion time. The technology was repurposed for use in the Cannavore, with the addition of proprietary conditioning agents to denature active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in cannabis waste.
Micron's first Cannavore is completing optimization at Aurora Cannabis Inc.'s ("Aurora") (TSX: ACB) Mountain facility near Calgary. Subject to Micron's technology meeting certain milestones per a collaboration agreement announced in December 2017, Aurora has committed to installing Micron's technology at its other facilities.
The waste systems pulverize and render organic waste in combination with Micron's live agent formula. Importantly, as part of Micron's full-system waste treatment platform, effluent from the digester is further treated to derive clean greywater which can be re-used in growing operations or safely discharged.
The Micron Cannavore was engineered based on proven technology used by the Company in its food waste digester unit. The world's first closed-loop cannabis waste processing system was designed to Aurora's specifications to be a clean technology solution to process organic waste generated from the growth and cultivation of cannabis, while mitigating concerns about the potential environmental impact.
Micron's waste management systems employ advanced computer science for remote real-time diagnostics monitoring and control. The mobile, comprehensive units – which do not emit sound or smell - are engineered to operate on-site within a 40 ft. shipping container, deployable on land or at sea, without need to truck, incinerate or landfill methane-producing waste.
Micron currently has additional Cannavore systems under construction, working with strategic partner BC Research Inc., with manufacturing completion targeted for the second quarter of 2019. Micron's food waste system prototype is currently being upgraded with new technology developed for the Cannavore. Micron is also in the final commissioning phase of its R&D and manufacturing facility in Delta, BC.
