Alberta Innovates launches $4.5M bio-products innovation fund
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Research agency looks to boost market for green products with call for proposals
EDMONTON—Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, a research agency funded by the Alberta government, has launched a new program aimed at the bioindustrial products or bioindustrial technologies market.
The Alberta Bio Future Research and Innovation program has $4.5 million in available funding and cites discovery and developmental research as its strategic priorities. Alberta Innovates said funding amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the quality and scope of the project.
“Alberta is a prime location for a thriving bioeconomy. We have abundant, renewable agriculture and forest resources, advanced infrastructure and highly qualified personnel,” Steve Price, CEO of Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, said.
“But this is an emerging field into new areas of science. More investigation is required to increase basic knowledge, and to learn how to take concepts out of the lab and turn them into new industrial bioproducts and biotechnologies,” he added.
The agency said bioindustrial products from Alberta, which are derived from sustainable agricultural or forest biomass, are already being used in several sectors, including the personal care, chemical and energy industries, as well as construction and manufacturing.
“They have desirable qualities for the manufacture of goods and materials while also being environmentally friendly,” the agency said.
Alberta Innovates said companies, researchers or industry groups are invited to apply to the program by submitting a letter of intent.
