Turning waste into a “Made-in-Saskatchewan” global solution.
The idea began at a daycare of all places. Jerry Kristian and Brock Eidem were long-time Saskatoon entrepreneurs who met through the Entrepreneurs Organization, a peer-to-peer network where business owners share their experiences and challenges. After each sold their individual business interests, Kristian recalled picking up his son at daycare at the same time that Eidem was picking up his daughter, and the duo began thinking about how they could combine their talents and create a better future for the next generation.
“We’re looking at these two kids on the floor and we began to think what we could do to make the world a better place for them,” said Kristian. “If we could come up with a solution to clean up the environment through a profitable business model, then we could maximize our impact.”
Their solution evolved into NULIFE GreenTech, one of the most innovative clean technology companies in Canada. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Saskatoon, the company converts agricultural by-products and industrial food manufacturing waste into bio-oil through a patented process.
What takes nature millions of years to produce underground, NULIFE replicates in less than ten minutes. The result is a carbon-dense bio-oil that can be permanently sequestered in underground caverns or upgraded into low carbon, renewable diesel – which they have already demonstrated.
NULIFE sources organic waste streams from food processors, agricultural operations, and industrial facilities, transforming it into bio-oil. The oil is then transported to injection sites where it is permanently stored underground, locking away carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) that would otherwise contribute to climate change. For every tonne of NULIFE’s bio-oil sequestered, more than 2.2 tonnes of CO₂e are removed from the atmosphere.
This process generates high-integrity carbon removal credits that are verified under rigorous international standards. Companies then purchase these credits to offset their own emissions, enabling them to meet their climate objectives.
The company’s approach has attracted attention from some of the world’s most forward-thinking climate leaders, including the Frontier Group, which was founded to accelerate the development of permanent carbon removal technologies. The Frontier Group includes such influential companies as Stripe, Google, Shopify and H&M.
In December 2025 the Frontier Group signed a USD$44.2 million deal to buy carbon credits from NULIFE. This is a strong vote of confidence in the Saskatoon-based company’s ground-breaking technology.
At its current Saskatoon plant, NULIFE is now preparing to build its first full-scale commercial facility. This plant will serve as a template for expansion, not only within Saskatchewan but also across Canada and internationally.
NULIFE was able to access support programs from the provincial government to foster the development of this emerging technology. The Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI) program, which provides a 45 per cent tax credit for investors in eligible technology startups, was particularly helpful. STSI helped NULIFE attract angel investment during its early years, which minimized its overall risk and gave the company the capital it needed to refine its technology.
“The government’s STSI program is fabulous,” explained Kristian. “It reduces investor risk at the very moment when companies like ours need it most. Without it, attracting those first critical investors would have been far more difficult.”
NULIFE also benefited from the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program, which offsets the capital costs of building and expanding facilities.
“When you’re building hard technology, you need to buy steel, pipe, and equipment. SLIM recognizes that reality, and it’s been instrumental in allowing us to expand our Saskatoon facility,” Kristian said.
Other provincial initiatives, including the Saskatchewan Value-Added Agriculture Incentive and the Research and Development Tax Credit, are providing NULIFE with tools to scale. These programs highlight Saskatchewan’s commitment to fostering an environment where innovation can flourish.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of NULIFE’s operations. The company’s technology is net-negative, meaning it removes more greenhouse gases than it emits. It reduces water contamination risks by eliminating pollutants and avoids methane from landfill decomposition. It also creates valuable co-products that can be used in industries ranging from agriculture to food and beverage packaging.
NULIFE’s success is proof that Saskatchewan is one of the best places in the world to build a technology company. The province offers world-class research infrastructure, access to skilled talent, and a culture of collaboration that allows entrepreneurs to quickly connect with the right partners and suppliers.
“In Saskatchewan, degrees of separation are fewer. It’s easier to pick up the phone, get connected, and make things happen. That kind of environment accelerates innovation and gives us a competitive advantage,” Kristian said.
With global demand for carbon removal rapidly growing, NULIFE is poised to expand beyond Saskatchewan’s borders. Its next step is to construct additional commercial facilities and scale up operations to meet both national and international markets.
“Our goal from the beginning was to make the world better while building a profitable business,” said Kristian. “Thanks to the support we’ve had here in Saskatchewan, we’ve been able to do both — and we’re only just getting started.”
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-526-9806
Email: media.ted@gov.sk.ca
