NSERC Prizes
Synergy Award for Innovation

Mehdi Sheikhzadeh

Mehdi Sheikhzadeh, a chemical engineer and research administrator at Lambton College, is contributing to advancements in sustainable technologies. Collaborating closely with Origin Materials, Sheikhzadeh and his team focus on optimizing Origin’s oxidation pilot plant. The pilot facility, a $6M investment, played a pivotal role in the refinement of Origin’s technology for extracting carbon from non-food biomass, such as sustainable wood residues.

Origin Materials, a leader in carbon-negative material production based in West Sacramento, California, selected Sarnia-Lambton for its conducive ecosystem for technology validation and commercialization, leading to the establishment of Origin 1, a $140M facility operational since July 2023. This plant represents a significant leap forward in sustainable, carbon-negative technology, producing recyclable, plant-based plastic bottles and contributing to a greener industrial landscape.

Sheikhzadeh’s research aims to combat climate change through carbon sequestration, offering applications across industries like clothing and automotive manufacturing. His work exemplifies the successful integration of academic expertise and industrial innovation, paving the way for future sustainable technology initiatives worldwide.

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