Wet’suwet’en First Nation and UBC launch wood foam production

A partnership between the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation has launched a production facility in Vancouver to transform forestry waste into biodegradable wood foam. The material, developed by Dr. Feng Jiang at UBC, is designed to replace plastic foam packaging and can also be used as building insulation.

Operated by DicinFoam—a subsidiary of the Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP)—the project utilizes logging scraps, sawdust, bark, and even fire-damaged wood. The initiative aims to convert forestry liabilities into high-value sustainable products while fostering a new economic relationship between Indigenous communities and the forestry sector.

The project has received approximately $4 million in support, including $1.6 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. The pilot plant is currently refining the foam to prepare for potential customer testing.