Trent University Collaborates With Brewery For Carbon-Zero Innovations

Trent University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Karbon Brewing Co. to create greener brewing technologies for a carbon-negative future on Thursday.

Karbon Brewing Company showcased three beers at the signing: One World (wheat beer), J. E. D. I —Justice. Equity. Diversity. Inclusion — (Hazy India Pale Ale) and Helios (lager). Photo by Luke Best.

The goal is to create a carbon-negative brewing style to reduce its impact on the environment while also giving students experiential learning opportunities.

“This unique research collaboration between a university and a brewery will see Trent and Karbon Brewing Co. driving discovery and innovation for brewing sciences,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent vice president of research and innovation. “Brewing chemistry, water conservation, experiential learning and curriculum development are all on the Trent-Karbon horizon. Their approach to green and clean research and development is an excellent match with the expertise and spirit of Trent University.”

Karbon Brewing Co. launched in 2020 and operates out of Junction Brewing in Toronto. They plan to build a 30,000 square-foot research facility and brewpub in Trent’s Cleantech Commons.

Karbon’s mission to ‘create a beer that not only tastes great but helps the planet’ includes reducing its carbon footprint to zero as well as removing additional CO2 from the atmosphere according to Stephen Tyson, Karbon Brewing co-founder. Karbon wants to be the first carbon-negative brewery by 2024.

“By collaborating with Trent University, we plan to lead the green revolution in brewing and we want to spur conversations around climate change,” said Tyson. “In Trent, we have found a like-minded partner that is passionate about developing innovative solutions to climate change.”

Trent’s Cleantech Commons pairs world-class researchers and laboratory facilities with entrepreneurs, business and government partners to accelerate clean, green, low carbon and sustainable technology solutions to address global energy, environmental and climate challenges as stated by the University.

“There's a wonderful fit between Karbon’s perspective on their future and our perspective on our future,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent President. “Trent as a university is very committed to environmental sustainability so there is a real alignment between what we're trying to do more broadly and what they're trying to do as well.”

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