$6.5M grant fuels Canadian bioindustrial sector growth

Aug 20, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Bioindustrial boom - Advancing bioeconomy through renewable resources, reducing GHGs, and sustainable bioproducts

Canada is taking significant strides in strengthening its bioindustrial sector through research and innovation, which promises to enhance competitiveness, create new opportunities, and push the country towards a more sustainable future.

In 2015, Canadian industrial bioproduct producers used approximately 22 million metric tonnes of biomass, with 43% sourced from agriculture.

The same year, the industry generated $4.27 billion in revenue. By 2030, the global bioeconomy is expected to reach $10.5 trillion CAD annually, with Canada’s share potentially rising to $240 billion CAD.

Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, representing the Honorable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced a significant funding commitment of up to $6,592,913 to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC).

This funding, provided through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, is aimed at advancing Canada’s bioeconomy.

The Bioproducts Cluster, managed by BIC, is focused on developing cutting-edge technologies that transform renewable resources, including agricultural residues, into valuable bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials such as ethanol and biodegradable plastics.

The research will enhance biomass production, create innovative bioproducts from Canadian crops, and convert by-products into value-added products, driving sustainability in the agricultural sector.

BIC Executive Director Meaghan Seagrave emphasized the importance of this support, stating, "BIC is pleased to receive support from AAFC to continue to support the development of emerging technologies that provide benefit to Canada and Canadian farmers. Canada's agriculture sector represents significant opportunities for development and commercialization of bioproducts through green chemistry. Integrating agricultural feedstocks and downstream bioproducts into a variety of industry value chains will not only increase Canada's agriculture opportunity but support industrial decarbonization.”

“The Cluster supports project activities that focus on biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and energy, as well as novel agricultural tools and practices that will assist in providing sustainable feedstocks and co-products into these applications. These technologies provide added and alternative value opportunities to the sector, complement existing traditional value chains, and support industrial decarbonization, lowering the overall carbon intensity of all sectors involved."

The bioeconomy, which encompasses the sustainable use of biological resources for food, goods, and energy, is poised for substantial growth.

Bioindustrial Innovation Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that accelerates the development of clean, green, and sustainable technologies by offering strategic investment and expert guidance.

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