Bioinnovation centre completes second research phase

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

by MATT MCINTOSH

The University of Guelph has completed construction on a new addition to its Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre – a facility focused on developing everyday items from plant materials.

According to a Nov. 15 university press release, the new addition will allow researchers to develop "more complex manufacturing applications and higher-value green products."

Developers working in the facility have already created what the press release calls "eco-friendly" items, like car parts from soy resin.

"We want to help our producers," says Robert Gordon, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. "By finding new ways to use crops like soy and wheat, the Development Centre is helping to create new market possibilities."

Those market possibilities, says Gordon, not only help producers but can also solve some major environmental problems as well.

"Plastics made from soy are a good example. By using a renewable resource like soy instead of petroleum, we can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and solve one of our major sustainability issues," he says.

Funding for the new addition was provided by BMO Financial Group ($1.25 million), the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario ($1.9 million), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food ($500,000). BF