Ontario biorefining research facility opens

Dec. 4, 2009, Thunder Bay, ON – Lakehead University’s Biorefining Research
Initiative (BRI) has officially opened. The BRI will focus on developing new
technologies for converting forest biomass into chemicals and biofuels that
could be commercialized as renewable energy and bio-based chemicals. The
research facility will strengthen the North’s emerging green energy and
chemicals sector and create at least eight jobs within its first year of operation.
It was developed with $1 million in support from the Northern Ontario Heritage
Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for equipment and renovations.

“The diversification of the forest industry in Ontario, including emerging
innovative bio-fuel and value-added projects, is key to strengthening Ontario’s
forest sector now and into the future,” says Michael Gravelle, minister of
northern development, mines, and forestry, and chair of the NOHFC.