CALGARY, AB (August 19, 2025): NGIF Accelerator, a catalyst for cleantech innovation in Canada’s natural gas sector, is providing $125,000 in grant funding to Ionada through its Industry Grants program. This grant will support the demonstration and construction of an innovative, modular carbon capture system at an NGIF Partner site.
This project represents Ionada’s second collaboration with NGIF Accelerator, building on a successful project that saw the technology progress from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to 6 through a pilot-scale unit tested at a testing centre to verify commercial and performance KPIs. This time, Ionada will advance its system with the construction and operation of an industrial-scale demonstration unit capable of capturing up to 5 tonnes of CO₂ per day. The demonstration will provide critical operational data to support a final investment decision (FID) for full commercial deployment.
Ionada’s patented Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactor (HFMC), combined with amine CO₂ solvents, delivers a compact, modular system that is up to 50% smaller and has 30% lower operating costs than conventional capture systems. The solution is containerized and scalable, offering a flexible alternative to traditional systems that are often large, capital-intensive, and slow to install. It’s designed for rapid installation and seamless integration with small- to mid-sized carbon emitters—especially in the natural gas sector.
The project is a private-public partnership, which includes Canadian energy companies, the industry association Petroleum Technology Alliance (PTAC), and the NGIF Accelerator. It will be executed in multiple phases, beginning with a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study, followed by pilot fabrication and site preparation, and finally ending with commissioning and operation of the pilot system.
Image: Ionada’s Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactor (HFMC) Carbon Capture System
“We’re pleased to support Ionada’s continued innovation through this second project; their modular carbon capture system aligns with our goal to accelerate emissions-reducing technologies that are practical, scalable, and make economic sense for the natural gas industry,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“Ionada is proud to be the recipient of the NGIF Accelerator for carbon capture utilization and storage. Ionada decarbonization systems are a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to reduce carbon emissions. Overall, they’re 30% more efficient and 50% smaller than competing technologies. Having received the NGIF Industry Grant, Ionada can now move forward in developing its next-generation modular membrane decarbonization system to reduce emissions across the board,” said Edoardo Panziera, CEO of Ionada.
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, and low-emission energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support cleantech development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support innovations like Ionada,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association, and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
Industry Grants’ Participants and Project Partners
About Industry Grants program
The Industry Grants program is industry-led and offers non-dilutive grants to fund early-stage startups for technology development and field demonstration. The program specifically de-risks pre-commercial technology solutions that have the potential to increase the environmental performance of the natural gas sector. Each project in the program will accelerate technology readiness level progressions through controlled pilot testing and field trials to advance commercialization.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and operates all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and administers the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Ionada
Ionada is a global climate technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets post-combustion carbon capture systems designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our solutions help keep our air and water clean, thus sustaining it for future generations. Ionada’s team includes scientists, engineers, and technicians that have developed breakthroughs in technology to reduce carbon emissions. Ionada is the technology leader in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions from the oil & gas, waste-to-energy, hydrogen, steel, cement, marine, and thermal power generation industries. Ionada’s mission is disruptive sustainability—providing emission abatement technologies that not only reduce emissions but also provide a financial benefit to our clients. Please visit https://ionada.com for more information.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gas energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. Its members are distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and other service providers. Today, natural gas meets almost 40 percent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Dini Philip
Communications Coordinator,
