Working with the applied research arm of Camosun College, Islander Reels has developed a closed-loop water recycling system that reclaims manufacturing residuals and significantly reduces water use in the production process.
Designed and tested by Camosun Innovates, the system captures fine plastic and aluminum particles created during manufacturing and returns cleaned water into the same process. A working prototype is already operational in production and is expected to reduce water usage by approximately 1,500 litres per month, while supporting a circular approach to material recovery.
Islander Reels has been manufacturing precision fishing reels since 1990 and is a division of J.S. Foster Corporation in Victoria.
"This project reflects our commitment to continually improving our manufacturing process," says Michael McKee, Manager of Islander Reels. "We already exceed municipal wastewater standards, and this work helps us go further by using a closed-loop process."
The closed-loop approach supports a more efficient production process and builds on J.S. Foster's 56-year track record as a sustainable Canadian manufacturer.
As with all Camosun Innovates projects, Camosun College students are an important part of the research and development team, working with partners under the supervision of applied research technologists.
"These kinds of applied research partnerships help companies such as Islander Reels develop practical environmental solutions that lead directly to more responsible manufacturing innovations," says Dr. Richard Gale, Director of Camosun Innovates. "This project shows how circular manufacturing approaches can improve water efficiency while creating less waste and supporting more ecological and sustainable production."
The project is supported through a $20,000 grant from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) through a pilot project administered by Tech-Access Canada and focused on the production of clean technology solutions to some of Canada's most significant challenges.
Camosun Innovates connects applied learning and applied research, design thinking and interdisciplinary inquiry, productivity improvement and tech-savvy intention. Recent projects include design and manufacturing of competitive equipment for Olympic para-athletes, the development of novel methods to carve totem poles using second growth trees, and advanced manufacturing processes informed by real-time digital feedback.
