The Canadian government on Aug. 19 announced it will award up to C$6.59 million to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada to support the development of technologies to produce bioenergy, biofuels and biomaterials. 

The funding was awarded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The AgriScience Program 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 program’s Clusters Component supports projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships and address priority national themes and horizontal issues.

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), according to the agency. This will be achieved by improving biomass production, developing new bioproducts from Canadian crops, and turning by-products into value-added bioproducts.

A full copy of the announcement is available on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s website.