CALGARY, AB (October 14, 2025): NGIF Accelerator, a catalyst for energy innovation in Canada’s natural gas sector, is providing $350,452 through its Industry Grants program in funding to Universal Matter Inc. (UMI). This grant will support UMI’s innovative Flash Joule Heating process that transforms waste from recycled plastics, spent tires, and industrial by-products into high-quality graphene materials. Graphene is a variety of the element carbon, known for its exceptionally high tensile strength, electrical conductivity, transparency, and being the thinnest two-dimensional material in the world.
UMI, based in Burlington, Ontario, is undertaking the project with partners Macrotek and Cobionix Corp. The project is designed to achieve two key objectives.
First, UMI will scale up the capacity of its demonstration-scale graphene facility and develop the ability to process multiple feedstocks. A primary feedstock under evaluation is the solid carbon by-product generated by producers using methane pyrolysis to convert natural gas into lower-emission hydrogen, also known as “Turquoise Hydrogen”.
Second, the project will include large-scale field trials of UMI’s graphene additive solutions in high-impact sectors such as concrete and asphalt, enabling significant greenhouse gas reductions. By accomplishing these objectives, UMI aims to create new circular economies, using waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in traditionally hard-to-abate industries.
Unlike conventional graphene manufacturing, which relies on finite graphite and energy-intensive exfoliation processes, UMI’s novel approach efficiently converts waste into unique graphene morphologies using low-energy methods. UMI’s facility is currently operating at a TRL 6 stage, with ongoing field trials of its Genable™ products, which are designed as performance-enhancing additives for concrete, asphalt, rubber, and coatings.
The project will progress through five key milestones, starting with the design and engineering of UMI’s pre-commercial plant and culminating in the full validation of UNI’s Genable™ Decarbonizer for use in cement production.
Image: Universal Matter’s current demonstration-scale process layout for manufacturing graphene from waste.
“We are thrilled to support Universal Matter. Their innovative approach turns waste into high-performance materials, helping hard-to-abate industries reduce emissions and build a more circular economy. This project exemplifies how energy innovation can drive meaningful impact for both industry and the environment,” 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.”
“We are thankful to receive NGIF’s funding support for this strategic corporate project, which will benefit natural gas producers who are motivated to install Turquoise Hydrogen production facilities and would desire to monetize their resulting carbon waste streams,” said John van Leeuwen, CEO of Universal Matter.
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, and lower-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 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 Universal Matter Inc.,” 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 Universal Matter Inc.
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario (Canada), Universal Matter Inc. is a global technology leader in the development of sustainable carbon-based materials that help decarbonize our planet. We upcycle carbon waste into fully-formulated graphene products for concrete, asphalt, rubber, composites, and paints & coatings to substantially improve the physical properties and durability of these major industrial materials. These benefits additionally contribute towards reducing global warming, protecting biodiversity, and supporting a self-sustaining circular carbon economy for a cleaner world. Please visit www.universalmatter.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,
