Regional Innovations Networks (RINs) - Ottawa and Eastern Ontario (OEO)
Bioproducts in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario (OEO) Region
The Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region is well positioned to play a leading
role in the transition to a bio-based economy. It features a combination of
assets, including a wealth of biomass, a significant cluster of bioproducts-relevant
research capacity, and the presence of some world-leading bioproducts and environmental
technology companies, that create an environment of opportunity and possibility.
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Snapshot of the OEO Region
Ottawa, the nation's capital, has been ranked sixth in the world in terms of
its quality of life by the Corporate Resources Group, a Swiss-based consulting
group. Ottawa's economy is complemented by a vibrant tourism sector and the
presence of more than 110,000 federal government employees. With a population
of 1.2 million, the Ottawa region is the fourth-largest urban area in Canada
and growing.
Eastern Ontario also includes the rural municipalities of Renfrew,
Lanark, Leeds
and Grenville, Stormont,
Dundas & Glengarry, and Prescott
& Russell, each offering a unique mix of industries and opportunities.
The entire OEO region is bound together by the presence of a highly educated
workforce, excellent infrastructure, proximity to major U.S. markets, and a
willingness to come together to build a prosperous future.
Business Climate
Ottawa is a global technology centre, with a base of more than 1700 companies
clustered around the rapidly growing high tech industry, including such sectors
as telecommunications, photonics, microelectronics, and software; and with growing
interest in the life sciences industry. The regional life sciences industry
includes biotechnology and biomedical sectors such as bioinformatics, stem cells
and regenerative medicine, drug discovery, medical devices, convergent technologies,
and bioproducts and environmental technologies.
The Ottawa region has more than a dozen local venture capital companies, with
a total of $ 388.1 million CDN in venture capital being invested in Ottawa technology
companies in 2005 (up from $ 261.9 million in 2004 - Source: Thomson Macdonald).
The OEO region is generating about 50 new VC-backed companies annually, with
approximately 15 % of these in the life sciences industry. For the latest information
on investment activity specific to the bioproducts space in Eastern Ontario,
contact the Bioproducts Business Network.
The Ottawa Life Sciences Council
is a not-for-profit sectoral development organization dedicated to the growth
of the regional life science industry. It has taken a leadership role in advancing
the bioproducts and environmental technology sectors in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
The Bioproducts Business Network (BBN) is a program of the
Ottawa Life Sciences Council, mandated with strengthening and promoting the
bioproducts and environmental technology sectors in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario
region. The goal of the BBN is to strengthen the region’s bioproducts
and environmental technology base by facilitating the development of new commercial
relationships between suppliers, companies, communities, universities, research
institutions, funding bodies and policy makers in the bioproducts sector. The
BBN would welcome a chance to assist you in exploring the bioproducts opportunities
in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Contact
the Bioproducts Business Network.
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Strengths in bioproducts
The Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region encompasses the nation’s capital,
as well as a broad cross section of rural municipalities. When the many and
diverse assets of the region are examined in combination, an impressive environment
for pursuing bioproducts opportunities emerges. The OEO region contains a wide
range of possible feedstocks, a very strong cluster of bioproducts-oriented
R&D activity, some world leading bioproducts companies, and a roster of
innovative ventures that are now emerging.
Biomass Availability
The OEO region features significant quantities of biomass from agricultural,
forestry and municipal waste sources. In exploring the bioproducts-oriented
possibilities in the region, it has been found that the concept of “sheds
and amalgamation points” is critical. It is not only where a feedstock
is produced that is of importance, but also where it is collected and processed.
Given the size of Eastern Ontario, it is difficult to speak in generalities
as to agricultural and forestry activities. Broadly speaking, Eastern Ontario
is a matrix of agricultural land and productive forest within a settled landscape.
The last census counted approximately 9300 farms in Eastern Ontario, which accounts
for 15% of the farms in Ontario. Over half the farms in the region are cattle
or dairy farms. Cropland has been increasing in the region, with soybeans showing
the fastest growth. Principle agricultural amalgamators and processors include:
Eastern Ontario also has thousands of acres of productive forest land, with
a good mix of hardwoods and softwoods. The majority of forests in eastern Ontario
are privately owned and managed (88%) and the remaining are owned and managed
by local municipalities (community forests). Eastern Ontario is home to the
first internationally recognized private woodlot forest certification program,
under the stewardship of the Eastern
Ontario Model Forest. The forest industry in the region is not insignificant,
with 10 registered sawmills in the region producing over 20,000 MFBM of lumber
each year and more than 55,000 m3 of wood by-products in the form of chips,
bark, sawdust, and shavings. Eastern Ontario has a significant value added wood
industry; housing over 200 facilities adding value to primary wood products
in the form of millwork, cabinetry, and furniture, among other products. The
Eastern Ontario Model Forest
is available to assist in connecting with forestry resources in Eastern Ontario.
Eastern Ontario has several municipal waste amalgamation points, including:
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Relevant Research & Development
Ottawa and Eastern Ontario feature an impressive array of R&D with relevance
to the bioproducts and environmental technology sectors. The presence of several
national research institutions and institutes, combined with strong academic
infrastructure, amounts to a very significant research capacity.
Academia
The University of Ottawa is located in the heart of the national capital,
with a population of over 25,000 students. It is one of Canada's leading research-intensive
universities. Committed to research excellence, it is home to an impressive
collection of internationally recognized laboratories, centres and institutes
that have created a research-intensive environment not only conducive to scholarship
and discovery, but which enhance the quality of the teaching programs at all
levels.
Links relevant for bioproducts:
Carleton University
- Brilliant Researchers. Brilliant Research.
Carleton University is a research-intensive institution widely recognized
for the successful and innovative integration of its international programs,
graduate studies and research enterprise. Research at Carleton is inherently
interdisciplinary, spanning all four academic faculties. The scope of the
research conducted at Carleton reflects the university's strategic research
thrusts in the areas of civic institutions; advanced technologies; advanced
materials and structural science; the life sciences; and modern culture. The
University's commitment to technology development and commercialization has
resulted in patents, licenses and partnerships that are integral to the success
of Canadian products. This approach to research makes Carleton University
a choice institution for renowned researchers from around the world.
Links relevant for bioproducts:
The Ontario Agriculture College, a component of the University of Guelph,
has two campuses located in Eastern Ontario.
Le College d’Alfred
The College d’Alfred is the only French language college in Ontario
offering a program in the Agri-food field and related domains. It is currently
studying three on-farm anaerobic digesters, and in partnership with Dairy
Farmers of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and others, is involved
in a comprehensive initiative to examine the impact of anaerobic digestion
in the production of energy from bio-gas, and the overall life cycle analysis.
Kemptville
College
Kemptville College provides quality graduates in agriculture and related
areas as well as performing applied research for the agri-food industry in
Ontario. Along with its partners, it is conducting research into the impact
of biodiesel on farm machinery both in terms of green house gas emissions,
and in terms of overall wear and tear. Kemptville College is also involved
in projects on the use of paper mill biosolids and hybrid poplar in agricultural
settings.
Community Colleges
Ottawa and Eastern Ontario feature three community colleges, providing a wide
variety of trained personnel to the bioproducts and related industries in the
region.
Government Research Institutions
The OEO region features a wealth of government research, including several
institutes of the National Research Council.
NRC Institute for Research in Construction
NRC-IRC works with industry to develop innovative building materials and
products such as high-performance concrete, superior walls, windows and roofs,
and fire-resistant and energy-efficient systems.
Contact: Mr. Robert Magee
Tel: 613-993-9631
Web: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
NRC Canadian Hydraulics Centre
The Canadian Hydraulics Centre is one of North America's largest hydraulic
engineering laboratories. They have the expertise and experience in physical
and numerical modeling, analysis and field studies to solve a wide range of
hydraulic engineering problems.
Contact: Ms. Ann Barker
Tel: 613-990-2511
Web: http://chc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
NRC Steacy Institute for Molecular Sciences
The Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (SIMS) undertakes fundamental
interdisciplinary research programs in molecular science in partnership with
researchers inside and outside NRC to develop innovative technologies. It
possesses competencies that range from cell chemistry to attosecond science
to nano-materials.
Contact: Dr. Danial Wayner, Director General
Tel: 613-993-1212
Web: http://steacie.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/main_e.html
NRC Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology
NRC-ICPET contributes to increasing the competitiveness of Canada's chemistry
intensive industries through research into innovative processes and technologies
that enable sustainable development. ICPET's chemical science and engineering
capabilities are focused in three areas of application that are economically
and socially important to Canada; while supporting environmentally responsible
manufacturing within these sectors: Fuel Cells, Oil Sands and Bioproducts.
Contact: Dr. Janusz Lusztyk, Director General
Tel: 613-993-4041
Web: http://icpet-itpce.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/research.html
CANMET Energy Technology Centre
The CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) is Canada's leading federal government
S&T organization with a mandate to develop and demonstrate energy efficient,
alternative and renewable energy technologies and processes. CETC-Ottawa has
world-class research facilities, laboratories for advanced combustion, chemical
processing and development, metallurgical fuels and fuels characterization.
Contact: Mr. Martin Aube
Tel: 613-996-8693
Web: http://www.cetc.nrcan.gc.ca
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada - Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre
The Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre (ECORC), a centre of Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada, has a "Bioproducts, Bioinformatics, and Bioprocesses"
program that is pursuing seven areas: crop genomics, environmental stress,
gene expression, gene flow and fertility, insect resistance, molecular pathology,
and value-added technologies.
Contact: Dr. Laurian Roberts
Tel: 613-759-1705
Web: http://res2.agr.gc.ca/ecorc/index_e.htm
Environment Canada - Environmental Technology Centre
The Environmental Technology Centre (ETC) provides specialized scientific
support and undertakes research and development for Environmental Protection
programs.
Contact: Mr. Fred Hendren, Chief
Tel: 613-990-5859
Web: http://www.etcentre.org/etchome_e.html
The Canadian Centre for Housing Technology
The CCHT, jointly operated by the National Research Council, Natural Resources
Canada, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is a unique research,
testing and demonstration resource for innovative technology in housing, with
a mission to accelerate the development of new technologies and their acceptance
in the marketplace.
Contact: Mr. Mike Swinton
Tel: 613-993-9708
Web: http://www.ccht-cctr.gc.ca/main_e.html
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Bioproducts Companies
Ottawa and Eastern Ontario feature some world leading bioproducts companies,
and a growing community of newer ventures expanding into the marketplace. These
companies represent the full spectrum of bioproduct outputs, including energy/fuels,
chemicals, and materials, but it is fair to say that there is more activity
in the energy/fuels sector at present.
Energy / Fuels
Iogen
Iogen is an industrial manufacturer of enzyme products, with a focus on products
for use by the pulp and paper, textile and animal feed industries. It also
is the world leader in technology to produce cellulose ethanol, having built
the world's only demonstration scale facility to convert biomass to cellulose
ethanol using enzyme technology.
Contact: Mr. Brian Foody, President
Tel: 613-733-9830 ext 403
Web: http://www.iogen.ca
Menova Energy Inc.
Menova Energy Inc. is developing the Power-Spar® system for solar heating
and power generation. The Power-Spar® is a high efficiency solar concentrator
that uses a patented system to concentrate the sun's energy creating heat,
hot water and electrical power for everyday and emergency use. It has been
specifically engineered to provide unprecedented thermal performance in harsh
winter climates.
Contact: Mr. Dave Gerwing, President and CEO
Tel: 613-599-6232
Web: http://www.power-spar.com/Power-Spar/index.shtml
Advanced Biorefineries Inc.
ABI is developing a mobile pyrolysis platform, to capture value from forestry
slash through conversion to fuel and "green" chemicals. Their modular distillation
plants are designed to go to the source rather than attempt to transport low
density and low energy biomass to the end user.
Tel: 613 852-6161
Web: http://advbiorefineryinc.ca
Laflèche Environmental
Laflèche Environmental is an innovative waste management company,
working to provide long-term waste disposal solutions for a sustainable future.
The first stage of their solution is the state-of-the-art landfill site located
in Moosecreek, a half hour East of Ottawa. Known as the Laflèche Environmental
BioReactor, the landfill system captures bio-gas for conversion to heat and
energy. Several other components of a comprehensive eco-industrial cluster
are under consideration.
Contact: Mr. Andre LaFleche, CEO
Tel: 613-538-2776
Web: http://www.laflecheenvironmental.com
Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Co-operative
Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Co-operative (SVFEC) is a farmer owned and operated
Co-operative with 3,000 current members and shareholders. They are working
towards the construction of a $56 million ethanol plant in Cornwall, Ontario.
Contact: Mr. Richard Lavigne, President
Tel: 613-290-6011
Web: http://www.seaway-energy.on.ca
Cyrium Technologies
Cyrium Technologies is developing a proprietary photovoltaic solar cell technology
using semiconductor Nanotechnology. Their cells increase photovoltaic solar
cell efficiency by over 40% above the state-of-the-art products. Leveraging
a decade of R&D on semiconductor quantum dots, they are promising solar cell
conversion efficiencies above 38%.
Contact: Mr. Edward Sloot, President and CEO
Tel: 613-282-5258
Web: http://www.cyriumtechnologies.com
Topia Energy Inc.
Topia Energy is involved in the production, distribution, and retail sales
of biodiesel in Canada. Headquartered in Ottawa, it is planning a 20 million
litre a year biodiesel production facility in Sudbury, Ontario.
Contact: Mr. Govindh Jayaraman, President
Tel: 613-594-4777
Web: http://www.topiaenergy.com
Klaesi Brothers
The Klaesi Farm features an operating anaerobic digester. It is a 500 cubic
meter digester with a capacity of 15-20 cubic meters per day.
Contact: Mr. Fritz Klaesi
Tel: 613-646-2095
Plasco Energy Group
Plasco has developed processes based on plasma arc technology for the environmentally
sound conversion of waste to heat and energy rich gas and the cost effective
generation of electricity. Their plasma gasification platform has been developed
over three decades of research, in cooperation with the NRC, to process domestic
and industrial waste materials.
Contact: Mr. Andreas Tsangaris, Chief Scientist
Tel: 613-591-9438
Web: http://www.plascoenergygroup.com
Chemicals
Ensyn Corporation
Ensyn's mission is to develop industrial applications for its core pyrolysis
platform, and to implement these applications in industry. In addition to
energy, Ensyn is extracting many valuable chemicals from its bio-oil, including
food flavorings and natural resin products suitable for the resin and polymer
industries.
Contact: Mr. David Boulard, Exec. V.P.
TEl: 613-248-2257 ext 133
Web: http://www.ensyn.com
Materials
Natunola
Thanks to its patented technologies, in particular its Vegetable Gel Technology,
Natunola is able to offer health conscious consumers a unique natural alternative
to petroleum based ingredients. Natunola offers its customers vegetable gels
based on canola, sunflower, castor and rice bran oils, as well as customized
ingredients.
Contact: Dr. Nam Fong Han, President & CEO
TEl: 613-774-9998
Web: http://www.natunola.com
Java Products Incorporated
Java Products Corporation researches, develops and manufacture technologies
and products which "close the loop" in production and consumption, by reusing
waste products. The first group of products that the Company is pursuing are
based on its exclusive rights to the founder's patent for fuel products comprised
of recycled coffee grounds (Javalogs).
Contact: Marcel Sbrollini
Tel: 613- 761-9578
Web: www.java-log.com/company_overview_en.htm
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An Expanded Web of Resources
Under the leadership of the Bioproducts Business Network, the bioproducts and
environmental technology communities in Eastern Ontario are forging increasingly
strong ties with the considerable assets of the neighbouring regions of Kingston
and Central Eastern Ontario, and Montreal (Western Quebec). For information
on bioproducts in Kingston and Central Eastern Ontario, see the Eastern
Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network page on this web site.
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Also of Interest
The Ottawa Biotechnology Incubator Centre (OBIC)
OBIC is Ottawa's first not-for-profit biotechnology incubator. Located at
the Greenbelt Research Farm, OBIC provides biotechnology start-ups with office
and laboratory space, and legal and business planning expertise, preparing
the firms to market their products and run their businesses competitively.
Contact: Alan Cameron, Executive Director
Tel: 613-224-3005
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For more information on bioproducts opportunities in
Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, contact:
George Brook
The Bioproducts Business Network
A program of the Ottawa Life Sciences Council
600 Peter Morand Cres., Suite 100
Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3
Tel: 613-521-1008 ext. 229
Fax: 613-521-3065
Email: george@olsc.ca
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