Feds invest $15M in Bioindustrial Innovation Canada expansion

The federal government today announced it is investing $15 million towards the expansion of Bioindustiral Innovation Canada (BIC).

In 2015, BIC created the Centre for Commercialization of Sustainable Chemistry Innovation (COMM SCI) in Sarnia, Ont. COMM SCI offers advice and technical services to help companies bring new clean technology to market. The Sarnia-Lambton Hybrid Chemistry Cluster consists of multiple companies looking to implement sustainable solutions, from wastewater remediation to creating fuel from agriculture waste.

BIC is in the process of creating the Ontario Bioindustrial Innovation Network (OBIN), a second hybrid chemistry cluster in Brockville, Ont., in partnership with the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission and St. Lawrence College.

OBIN will help companies in sustainable chemistry and clean technologies overcome barriers to commercialization.

“The federal government has been a strong supporter of our work at Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. With this support, BIC has successfully provided investment, advice and services to business developers of clean, green and sustainable technologies within Canada. We are thrilled to receive this investment to establish the Ontario Bioindustrial Innovation Network. This funding will enable BIC to continue its work to strengthen the Hybrid Chemistry Cluster in Sarnia-Lambton and to enable the development of a second Sustainable Chemistry Cluster in the Eastern Ontario St. Lawrence Corridor region centred around Brockville and Maitland,” said A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, executive director of BIC, in a statement.