Who We Are and What We Do
Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. is an early-stage tech Startup active in the bio-nano material space, specifically commercializing a technology that can convert organic fishing waste into ultra-high-value nanocrystals. They function as physical additives where a small quantity of nanocrystals added can drastically increase the strength, stiffness, crack resistance, and barrier properties of the underlying material. They have a wide range of applications including but not limited to aerospace and automotive composites, high-barrier films and packaging, structural adhesives, 3D printed materials, biomedical devices, and even energy storage devices. They own proprietary IP, have a strong team led by a Forbes 30 under 30 founder, and collaborate with leading research institutions such as the University of Toronto and York.
Needs, Opportunities, and Solutions
We have identified packaging films and epoxies as two areas of our focus:
High strength, low permeability, and recyclability are three of the most important properties for plastic packaging films. However, there is no solution on the market today that has all three. The current market products optimize for high strength and low permeability using multi-layer mixed-material plastics which cannot be recycled. Over time, those plastics break down into toxic-laden microplastics that further harm ecosystems and human health. Moreover, producing multi-layer plastic film is a costly and energy-intensive process that requires multiple types of adhesives, chemical additives, and solvents that generate harmful GHG and VOC emissions.
Leveraging the technological advantages of chitin nanocrystals, specifically the high strength, impenetrable crystal structure, and large specific surface area. Neptune has developed a single-layer recyclable film solution containing 1% chitin nanocrystal that can simultaneously improve strength and reduce permeability by up to 4600%. Which directly addresses the recyclability problem as well as eliminating the uses of energy-intensive processes and toxic chemical additives required by traditional multi-layer manufacturing processes.
Epoxies are widely used as the primary material in a number of mission-critical industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy generation, oil & gas, etc. Strength, toughness, cost, weight, and sustainability are five of the most important properties of epoxies. However, there is no solution on the market today that can satisfy all these conditions. Incumbent chemical additives used in epoxy industries today simply fail in terms of strength and sustainability. While upcoming legacy nanotechnologies are prohibitively expensive and still carry significant sustainability and toxicity risks.
Leveraging the superior strength of chitin nanocrystals and its nanoscale features, it can be used as an additive in epoxy that directly replaces traditional toxic chemical additives that grant both high strength and toughness. Due to its waste stream feedstock, chitin nanocrystals are significantly less expensive than legacy nanomaterials and offer superior performance and lighter weight which can enable cascading life cycle benefits for both cost reductions and environmental value.
Experienced Team
Founder and CEO
Aaron Guan
Mr. Guan is recognized as one of the most innovative young serial entrepreneurs (Forbes 30 Under 30) and one of the most influential people under 35 in the plastics industry (Rising Star 2015 by Plastics News), Aaron Guan is the Founder and CEO of Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. He also serves as Board Director and Newsletter Chair for the Society of Plastic Engineers' Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Division.
Mr. Guan received both his B.A.Sc and M.A.Sc in mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, he has a number of patents and publications in the fields of bio-based nano-reinforcement, biopolymers, thermoplastics, and composites. Decorated with multiple awards recognizing his efforts in the development of sustainable biobased nanotechnology and entrepreneurship, Aaron founded Neptune in 2022 which specializes in the development of a novel nano-material known as chitin nanocrystal, a fishing waste-sourced single crystal with a wide range of applications.
CFO
Winfield Ding
Mr. Ding is a chartered professional accountant of Ontario working mainly as CFO or director for public and private companies. Beyond serving Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. as the part-time CFO, he is also currently the Director and part-time CFO of New Frontier Ventures Inc. (CSE: VFI-X), part-time CFO of the MINT Corp. (TSXV: MIT), Director and Audit Committee Chair of CF Energy Corp. (TSXV: CFY), and consultant for a few private companies including Principle Capital Partners Corp. and its several investment funds. Over the years he served a few other public companies as CFO.
Winfield was a former Audit Manager of McGovern Hurley Cunningham LLP, specializing in auditing public companies. Clients were in industries including mining, oil and gas, energy distributing, and manufacturing (chemical, electrical, new energy, and forestry). Winfield was involved with some companies’ going public transactions (IPO, RTO, CPC QT transactions). Winfield is a Licensed Public Accountant.
Sr. Scientist
Dr. Sara Koul
Saraswati Koul, Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology from India, Delhi Technological University) with nearly 2 decades of R&D experience. Dr. Koul has held progressively more senior titles working as research scientist for Dow Chemicals, GE-Plastics & Moen focused on lab-scaling, product commercialization and designing of sustainable new products. Her domains of expertise lies in Automotive & Aerospace Composites, Coatings, Corrosion Prevention, Flexible packaging, Sustainable Biomaterials and 2D Disruptive Nanotechnologies
Business Development Manager
Spencer Pieczonka
Mr. Pieczonka, BComm from Saint Mary's University. Previously, founded and successfully sold Maritime Reused Plastic Products (recycled plastic interior furniture and furnishings), showcasing his strategic business acumen. Spencer's experience extends to consulting for Fortune 100-500 companies, including industry leaders like Sanofi, Clorox, and Unilever. Bringing this wealth of experience to Neptune, he plays a vital role in driving business development. His commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns seamlessly with Neptune's mission to revolutionize industries through chitin nanocrystals. Spencer's dynamic approach and entrepreneurial spirit significantly contribute to Neptune's success in the nanotechnology and sustainable materials sectors.