The NSERC Bioconversion Network is a unique Canadian R&D network that is aimed at developing energy efficient, commercially viable and environmentally sustainable biomass conversion processes that generate ethanol and high-value co-products. These activities are essential to Canada’s national security strategy vis-à-vis energy, the economy and the environment, and will provide new employment opportunities. The NSERC Bioconversion Network will also generate innovations that will accelerate Canada’s transition from a petroleum-based to a bio-based economy.
The bioconversion platform is capable of maximizing the potential of Canada’s forest biomass resource by providing new chemical, fuel and energy products that can complement existing fibre or material products. However, the full capabilities of the bioconversion platform are not well documented or understood at the current time. Development of both environmental and economic measures of the bioconversion platform will allow us to interpret the results of the technical themes and add a significant dimension and capability to our Network’s activities. Inclusion of specific environmental and economic measures with the technical outputs of the Network will allow decision makers to choose processes likely to match both present and future goals, from both industrial and environmental perspectives.
About the Network