The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has recognized Bioindustrial Innovation Canada as one of Canada’s Resource Champions for its efforts to promote natural resources development and trade in Canada.

BIC is a not-for-profit organization based in Sarnia-Ontario that was founded in 2008. In 2015, the organization established the Center for Commercialization of Sustainable Chemistry Innovation (COMM SCI), which acts as a hub for the commercialization of sustainable chemistry and biobased innovation. The center provides business and technical support to participating small- and medium-sized enterprises in southern Ontario.

According to BIC, the organization is focused on helping Ontario—and Canada—become a global leader in converting renewable resources into bioenergy, biofuel, biochemicals and biomaterials. The group invests in early stage companies that are developing clean, green and sustainable technologies.

BIC recently released a review of its 2017 activities, noting it worked with 122 companies last year, including those in bioenergy, biomaterials, agricultural sustainability, engineering consulting, solar energy and other industries. In addition, the group has committed $1.875 million in investments to five companies, including Comet Biorefining and Origin Materials. Comet Biorefining is developing a novel process to convert cellulosic biomass into cellulosic glucose, while Origin is developing technology to produce biobased intermediates from lignocellulosic raw materials for use in a wide range of plastic applications.

BIC also launched 12 COMM SCI projects last year with a combined value of $12 million. Participating companies include BioAmber, S2G BioChem, EcoSynthetix, Bio-Techfar Inc. and Origin Materials.

Groups recognized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as Canada’s Resource Champions support the development of innovative projects or processes to reduce negative environmental impacts, support the country’s prosperity by expanding their role in natural resource supply chains, or make a significant contribution to aligning the interests of local aboriginal communities with sustainable natural resource development and trade.

More information on the award is available on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website. Additional information on BIC’s 2017 accomplishments is available on its website.