Feds pump $29 million into peat moss technologies

Premier Tech Ltd has received $29 million in federal assistance to support three projects worth $79.6 million using peat moss-based media for improving water quality and energy conservation. The Riviere-du-Loup PQ-based firm will receive $19.1 million from Technology Partnerships Canada and $9.9 million from Economic Development Agency-Quebec to support the demonstration and commercialization aspects of the projects. The projects involve the design and development of equipment for harvesting, bagging and storage systems for peat moss, further development of biofiltration technologies for on-site waste water treatment, and a method for introducing organisms to improve peat moss resistance to drought and disease.