SARNIA,
ON, Aug. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Strengthening
Canada's bioindustrial sector through research and innovation
creates opportunities, increases competitiveness, and moves
Canada towards a more sustainable
future.
Today, Peter Fragiskatos, Member
of Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honorable
Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced
up to $6,592,913 to Bioindustrial
Innovation Canada (BIC) through
the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under
the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Bioproducts Cluster, led by BIC, will develop specialized technologies
that turn renewable resources, such as agricultural residues, into
useful bioenergy, biofuels, and biomaterials like ethanol and
biodegradable plastics. The research activities aim to support the
transition to a renewables-based economy and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions (GHGs). This will be achieved by improving biomass
production, developing new bioproducts from Canadian crops, and
turning by-products into value-added bioproducts.
Quotes
"The Bioproducts Cluster, led by Bioindustrial Innovation
Canada, is helping us find green solutions that make the most of
our resources. 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."
- The Honourable Lawrence
MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"This funding underscores our commitment to advancing
technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase
the value of Canadian agricultural products. Together, we are
strengthening our agricultural sector and building a greener
future."
- Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament, London
North Centre
"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."
- Meaghan Seagrave, Executive Director,
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
Quick facts
- In 2015, the total amount of biomass provided to Canadian
industrial bioproducts producers was about 22 million metric tonnes
with about 43% coming from the agricultural sector.
- The revenue from Canadian industrial bioproducts in 2015 was
estimated at $4.27 billion. By 2030,
the global bioeconomy is projected to reach $10.5 trillion CAD annually, with Canada's estimated share up to $240 billion CAD.
- The bioeconomy refers to using renewable biological resources
to produce food, goods, and energy in a sustainable way to drive
economic growth.
- BIC previously received
$5.5 million in funding through the
Growing Forward 2 framework and another $11.2 million through the Canadian Agricultural
Partnership framework.
- The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable Canadian
Agricultural Partnership, aims to accelerate innovation by
providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities
and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector,
and Canadians.
- The Clusters Component, under the AgriScience Program, supports
projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia
through partnerships and address priority national themes and
horizontal issues.
- Bioindustrial Innovation Canada is a nationally focused
not-for-profit business accelerator that provides critical
strategic investment, advice, and services to business developers
of clean, green, and sustainable technologies.
Additional links
- AgriScience Program – Clusters
- Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada