Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament Mike Wallace (Burlington) today announced an investment of $7 million to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada for a first-of-its-kind national bioproducts cluster.
This cluster will help bridge the gap between research and market-ready products by connecting technology development projects from across Canada. The expected results will create opportunities for Canadian farmers and provide a more competitive future for Canadian agriculture by putting farm waste to profitable use.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists will work with industry partners on adding value to the agriculture sector and responding to global demand for environmentally-friendly bioproducts. This will be done by exploring the use of food by-products for the manufacture of gums and landscape products, and developing new varieties of wheat, rye and triticale that can be used to produce high-value biochemicals and bioenergy.
Quick facts
- Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, located in Ontario, is focused on helping Canada become a globally recognized leader in bioindustrial products.
- It is estimated that the global market for bioproducts will reach $200 billion by 2030.
- Participation in this cluster will allow EcoSynthetix to invest in additional product development talent at their Centre of Innovation in Burlington, Ontario.
- This investment is made through the Industry-led Research and Development stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.
Quotes
"This national bioproducts cluster is the first of its kind in Canada. This cluster will further enable farmers and food processors to find
additional markets that turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s solutions, helping Canada become a globally recognized leader in environmentally
friendly bioindustrial products."
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz
"I am proud of the innovative work taking place by companies like EcoSynthetix here in Burlington. The work being accomplished through this cluster is not only helping Canadian farmers grow their businesses but also contributing to a healthy environment and economy for Canada." - Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington
"Bioindustrial Innovation Canada is looking forward to collaborating with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the establishment of the AgSci Cluster - a cluster which will position Canada in a leadership role in the bioeconomy by investing in the development of commercially viable agricultural based bioproducts and creating new market opportunities for Canadian farmers." - Dr. Murray McLaughlin, Executive Director of Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
Additional links
- Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- AgriInnovation Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
- EcoSynthetix
Contacts
Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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