UBC BioProducts Institute awarded over $3.5M in Government of Canada support

The UBC BioProducts Institute (BPI) has been awarded $3.5 million from the Government of Canada to support the creation of valuable bioproducts like personal protective equipment from BC forest waste and residues.

The funding will not only help develop low-carbon alternatives to plastic-based, single-use products in areas such as medicine, agriculture and personal care, but also protect jobs and stimulate growth in BC's pulp and paper sector, which has faced reduced demand, lower prices and other global challenges in recent years. 

“Scaling up development of high-value, bio-based materials from cellulose and lignin will generate economic and social benefits for BC and increase the long-term competitiveness of its forest sector," said BPI scientific director Dr. Orlando Rojas, a professor of chemical and biological engineering and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Bioproducts at UBC. "UBC’s BioProducts Institute, together with the BioAlliance and industry partners, is working on catalyzing the diversification of the forest industry into sustainable markets."

Further details are available in the Government of Canada release.

Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash