Agriculture Canada invests in bioindustrial business accelerator to develop bioenergy technology

The federal government will spend $6.6 million to support research and innovation in Canada’s bioindustrial sector.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced up to $6.59 million in funding for Sarnia, Ont.-based non-profit Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, which invests in bioindustrial businesses and technology development.

“Canada’s agriculture sector represents significant opportunities for development and commercialization of bioproducts through green chemistry,” said Meaghan Seagrave, executive director for Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, in a press release.

“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 funding will support BIC’s Bioproducts Cluster aimed at developing specialized technologies that turn renewable resources, such as agricultural residues, into useful bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials such as ethanol and biodegradable plastics.

“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,” said Seagrave.

“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 research looks to support the transition to a renewables-based economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving biomass production, developing new bioproducts from Canadian crops, and turning by-products into value-added bioproducts.

“The Bioproducts Cluster… is helping us find green solutions that make the most of our resources,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“This funding will provide new opportunities for our farmers to profit from agricultural by-products that would otherwise go to waste. It’s a win for farmers and a step toward a more sustainable future for all Canadians.”

By 2030, the global bioeconomy is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually, with Canada’s estimated share up to $240 billion.