BCBusiness

11 B C B U S I N E S S . C A J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 To p l e f t , c l o c k w i s e : I s s e y M i y a k e, P a r b a t , D b J o u r n e y ; G o F i g u r e : D i f f e r R /A d o b e S t o c k , M a c r o v e c t o r/ S h u t t e r s t o c k ( 3 ) 11 Cooling the gas to -162°C has the effect of condensing it to 1/600th of its former volume. B.C. NATURAL GAS ROYALTIES (FORECAST) S o u r c e s : L N G C a n a d a , G o v e r n m e n t o f B .C . , C a n a d i a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f P e t r o l e u m P r o d u c e r s , N a t u r al R e s o u r c e s C a n a d a , F o r t i s B C , W o o d f i b r e L N G , C e d a r L N G FortisBC already operates two LNG facilities in B.C. Mt. Hayes near Ladysmith holds 1.5 billion cubic feet of LNG, enabling the utility to supply its Vancouver Island customers even during system interruptions. The company's Tilbury Island plant in Delta, in operation since 1971, supplies the transportation industry as well as export markets and is being expanded with a 46,000 cubic metre storage tank. WHO OWNS LNG CANADA? KOREA GAS CORP. MITSUBISHI (JAPAN) PETROCHINA CO. SHELL PLC (UK) 40% PETRONAS (MALAYSIA) 25% 15% 15% 5% 2024/25 $576 MILLION 2025/26 $920 MILLION 2026/27 $1.209 BILLION 2027/28 $1.143 BILLION currently in sea trials and test- ing well," Berryman says, add- ing that while these projects are windsport-adjacent, the re- sults could be far more radical: "It has potential to have a large impact globally, and it's in a high-growth market too… and it's an industry that we didn't even know existed a couple years ago." While Berryman and the team at Aluula are focused on mindfully expanding their customer base while limiting risk, they've indulged in a few out-of-this-world endeavours, too. The company's material is used in the "expandable space habitats" (read: moon houses) of Max Space, an American company slated to fly with SpaceX in 2026, and Aluula customers have also done some research and development in using the materials for space-ready products like inflatable life rafts and even airships. "When we look at those, we say, 'OK, what are the regulatory hurdles; what's the path to market,'" Berryman explains. "Those projects are very interesting, but a number of them are early stage… and with that, it may not be an application that's going to drive a lot of near-term revenue for us, versus others in the decarbonization space or in the performance outdoor category." Berryman calls Aluula an "ingredient company"— because the firm doesn't sell end products, partnerships with other businesses must be made strategically. "We're putting our brand name on their products, and they're putting their brand name on our products, so they have to make sure that we are aligned," she says. Shared sustainability values are the driving force behind many collaborations (for example, a current inflatable solutions research and development partnership with Michelin), but the Canadian-made aspect of the business is becoming a larger part of the conversation thanks to ongoing tariff drama with our U.S. neighbours. "I think Canadian businesses needed a bit of a wake-up call to have pride in what we do," says Berryman, "because there are a lot of quiet, very polite Canadian businesses kicking butt on a global scale." Aluula is certainly one of them. FAR AND WIDE Though Aluula's team is small and mighty with only 20 employ ees, the company is collaborating with international brands like Italy's Parabat Designs (right) or Nor way's Db (bottom) to create products that go beyond the windsport

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