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Updated November 4, 2009
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Close to $1 Million in Federal Funding Announced for Biodiesel Project
June 20, 2008
RIDGETOWN, ON - Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network (SOBIN) and the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus are thrilled with today’s Federal Government funding announcement of almost $1 million towards the establishment of a farm-scale biodiesel demonstration, education and applied research facility located on the campus.
“This biodiesel facility will play a pivotal role in helping to translate Southwestern Ontario’s strength in agricultural production into new opportunities in the renewable energy sector,” says SOBIN President Jim Nash. “This will help the agricultural sector move towards playing a significant role in supplying new sources of clean energy – something very important to the mission of SOBIN and to the sustainability of our economy.”
This funding is being provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program, which is delivered in Ontario by the Agricultural Adaptation Council. The contribution will help build a functional farm-scale oilseed processing and biodiesel production facility located at the Ridgetown Campus. It will provide an opportunity to evaluate oilseed crushing technologies and determine the feasibility and over-all economics of on-farm biodiesel production.
“Farmers are interested in integrating new technologies for value-added products in their own operations,” says Art Schaafsma, Director of Ridgetown Campus. “We will study all the variables to make it easier for them to be successful at producing fuel from their farms and adding value to the by-products.”
Matt McLean, SOBIN Executive Director adds, “The funding provided by AAFC for this farm-scale biodiesel facility is an important first piece in establishing Ridgetown Campus as centre of excellence in on-farm renewable energy technologies. Ultimately, this facility will play a significant role in demonstrating to agricultural producers how they can be engaged in the renewable energy sector.”
Media Contacts:
Matt McLean, SOBIN Executive Director, 519-354-9714- ext. 3905
Rob Nicol, U of G Ridgetown Campus biofuels scientist, 519-674-1641
Southwestern Ontario’s BioEconomy Gets Significant Boost
Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network (SOBIN) is thrilled with the recent federal announcement of $15 million in funding towards the establishment of the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre at the University of Western Ontario’s Sarnia-Lambton Research Park. The new centre, situated in the heart of Canada’s largest chemical cluster, will become the country’s preeminent location for the development and commercialization of large-scale industrial biotechnology such as biofuels, bioenergy and biochemicals.
“The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre will play a major role in translating Southwestern Ontario’s strengths in agriculture, chemical, and automotive production into new sustainable bioproducts and renewable energy,” says SOBIN President Jim Nash. “Ultimately, this will result in the establishment of new biobased enterprises within our region – something very important to the mission of SOBIN and to the sustainability of our economy.”
This $15 million in funding announced last week by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, follows a $10 million investment to the Centre last year from Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation. In total, the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre is a $50 million dollar initiative with the remaining support coming from a coalition of companies and associations representing Canada’s chemical, energy, automotive, agriculture and forestry sectors.
“From the very beginning, the concept of creating the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre has been about building successful partnerships with like minded companies and organizations - all having the same vision of making this region a leader in bioindustrial development and sustainability,” says Don Hewson, Managing Director, Research Park Sarnia-Lambton Campus. “Our partnership with SOBIN over the past few years has gone a long way in helping to realize this vision and we look forward to further developing this partnership through the opportunities that this new Centre will be able to facilitate.”
Steve Bolt, SOBIN Director and Co-Chair of the Ontario Chemistry Value Chain Initiative adds, “This funding is an important piece in establishing Ontario and Canada as a global leader in innovative, environmentally sustainable, chemical products, technologies and processes. It’s truly exciting to see the vision of the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre becoming a reality.”
Contact:
Matt McLean, SOBIN Executive Director, 519-354-9714- ext. 3905
FOAM Goes GREEN – Now Made With Renewable Resources
February 28, 2008 – Ontario’s mattress, furniture and toy sectors turned a brighter green today with the announcement from the Ontario BioAuto Council of a $500,000 grant to Valle Foam Industries Inc. to aid in the commercialization of their new BioPlush™
product line.
Valle Foam Industries – located in Brampton, Ontario – manufactures slab stock polyurethane foams for the furniture, bedding, packaging, carpet and children’s toy industries. Valle Foam has committed to replacing up to 25% of traditional, petroleum-based polyols – one of two main ingredients used to make foam – with polyols derived from natural plant-based oils such as
soybean.
“Valle Foam has always considered the environment in its business decisions and our new biobased foam is an extension of that dedication. The financial contribution from the Ontario BioAuto Council will help to catapult us into a leadership role with new greener options for our customers”, stated Dale McNeill, VP Operations for Valle Foam.
Bio-based polyols have witnessed significant growth in the last two years, due in large part to the increasing price of crude oil – the traditional source for petroleum-based polyols. Consumers are anxious to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and ultimately lessen greenhouse gases. New bio-based alternatives have entered the marketplace in a big way and offer equal or better functionality.
“The Council is excited over its contribution to Valle Foam as the shift in production at Valle
Foam signals a growing market demand for bio-based materials. And a growing market means new opportunities for Ontario companies and the province’s natural resource sectors”, said Craig Crawford, CEO of the Ontario BioAuto Council.
The Ontario BioAuto Council is a not-for-profit organization working to link Ontario’s agriculture
and forestry sectors to chemical/plastics processors and advanced manufacturers to produce materials and chemicals from biological feedstocks. Its commercialization fund targets nearmarket-ready innovations that will lead to the production of basic bio-plastic and bio-composite materials, for use in the manufacture of automotive parts, furniture, construction materials and other consumer and industrial products.
The contribution to Valle Foam is the second from the Ontario BioAuto Council. The first was made in December 2007 to GreenCore Composites to assist in the commercialization of their natural-fibre composite technology.
Erin Cheney, Director Operations 519-827-1118 Ext 224
Dale McNeill, VP Operations 905-453-8054
bioautocouncil.com
SOBIN joins OAC in the Launch of CARES – A Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Bioenergy research and the bioeconomy will be the focus of the University of Guelph’s new Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability (CARES) at the Ridgetown Campus.
Robert Gordon, dean of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural College, made the announcement at the official launch of the Centre today in Ridgetown. “OAC is committed to innovative research and technology transfer that supports the development of new technologies that will enhance our environment," Gordon said. "CARES fits perfectly with this mandate. It will bring together highly skilled people and support applied research and knowledge transfer in renewable energy, which is relevant to the public, private and non-profit sectors.”
The Centre will have an agricultural focus, with the objectives of strengthening the agriculture sector, improving sustainability and development, increasing alternative energy and energy conservation, and leveraging education, training and research. It will include a research and demonstration facility to test new technologies. “We want to do research that will benefit rural Ontario,” said Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown Campus director. “The projects we undertake will create new value-added markets for agricultural products.”
The first project is a farm-scale biodiesel demonstration plant that is currently under construction. In June, the federal government announced it is investing more than $900,000 in the project. The funding is being provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food program, which is delivered in Ontario by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
In addition to government and University support, the Southwestern Ontario Bio-Products Innovation Network (SOBIN) was instrumental in the conception of CARES. The innovation network works to promote new bioproducts, foster energy conservation and expand alternative energy sources.
Today, the University and SOBIN signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work together to promote bioproduct research and development opportunities. The goal is to substitute non-renewable materials in many manufacturing sectors, consumer goods and services.
“We are very pleased to be working with the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus on this important new initiative,” said Matt McLean, SOBIN's executive director. “This agreement will strengthen our relationship as we continue to work toward our shared objectives for long-term sustainable resource development."
SOBIN Leads Chatham-Kent Towards a Bio-Sustainable Future
The future of Chatham-Kent looks a lot greener after thirty leaders from industry, academia and government recently came together under the leadership of the Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network (SOBIN) to address the changing dynamics facing agriculture and industry
“SOBIN’s mandate as a not-for-profit organization is to enhance the competitiveness of regional industries and help generate new opportunities for economic growth in local communities,” said Jim Nash, President, SOBIN. “This workshop was intended to bring community and business leaders together to brainstorm new ways for Chatham-Kent to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future.”
Workshop participants learned how businesses and communities that have embraced sustainability principles are revitalizing their bottom lines while improving social and environmental conditions. Participants were challenged to envision what a sustainable Chatham-Kent would look like in the year 2027. Ideas such as a leveraging existing industry and academic assets and the agricultural strength of the region to become a leader in producing value-added bioproducts were complemented by a desire to see the community as a whole become a model of integrating green, sustainable practices.
“The ideas discussed by SOBIN and its partners are strategically aligned with the goals of the Municipality to support sustainable growth with an emphasis on next generation energy, environmental industries and related technologies,” said Art Stirling, Chatham-Kent Councillor and workshop participant.
Several business and community leaders stepped forward to continue developing strategies that will see Chatham-Kent achieve these goals to become a leader in bioproduct innovation and sustainability.
“I see the seed industry cluster in Chatham-Kent playing a vital role in the emerging opportunities that the bioeconomy offers,” said Grant Craven, Pride Seeds. “Our company, like the others in the region, is investing research and development dollars into this area and that means sustaining skilled jobs and coming up with crops that will bring new value to Chatham-Kent.”
Other industry and agribusiness leaders such as Wes Thompson, Blake Vince, Dan Blonde and Chuck Baresich have committed to continue to work on helping transform the ideas and visions into reality. Next steps include bringing the core group of leaders from the organizing committee and the workshop together to transform the initial ideas into strategies and actions that will make a positive impact on the future of Chatham-Kent.
“We had a lot of support from industry and others for this event,” said Matt McLean, Executive Director, SOBIN. “Companies such as Pioneer Hi-Bred, A DuPont Company, GreenField Ethanol, Monsanto, AGRIS, GROWMARK and Thompsons, Hyland Seeds stepped forward to sponsor the workshop. The event was also made possible by contributions from the Government of Ontario, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, BioEnterprise and Ontario Agri-Food Technologies.”
The organizing committee for the Bio-Sustainability Workshop included SOBIN directors Jim Nash, President, Wellington Polymer Technologies Inc., Jim Campbell, General Manager, AGRIS Co-operative, John Lawrence, Director, Innovation, Community and Corporate Training, St. Clair College, Ron Anderson, Agricultural Coordinator, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Art Schaafsma, Director, Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph and Matt McLean, Executive Director, SOBIN.
For more information on the Chatham-Kent Bio-Sustainable Workshop, please Click Here
Matt McLean, SOBIN Executive Director
Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network
Tel: 519-354-9714 ext. 3905
Email: mmclean@sobin.ca
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