A new program has been launched in Ontario to develop more agriculturally-based bioproducts.
The Agri-Based Industrial Bioproducts R & D Challenge has 3 million dollars to encourage for-profit businesses with innovative industrial bioproduct ideas to collaborate with academic research institutions on those projects.
Under the program, agri-based industrial bioproducts are defined as any commercial product derived from agricultural sources - such as plant fibres, plant and vegetable oils, plant-based protein and sugar/starch crops.
They could include products such as biocomposite materials to replace petrochemical-derived plastics or renewable, plant-based oils to create bio-based polymers.
The Challenge is a partnership of the Ontario Centres of Excellence and the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
Council Chair Judy Dirksen says the use and interest in these types of products is growing and it's imperative their development continue to be supported.
The Challenge is now accepting expressions of interest.
Applications will be reviewed and approved next year.
More program information can be found on the Ontario Centres of Excellence website.
