Industrial Biotechnology program

The Industrial Biotechnology program works with Canadian companies to overcome technology hurdles in producing high-value chemicals, ingredients and products from renewable biomass as an alternative to traditional feedstocks. These can be used in a variety of consumer and industrial applications, including personal care products, food and nutritional ingredients, household goods, and agricultural products.

Our bio-based capabilities include:

  • biocatalysis and enzyme technologies
  • chemical conversion and synthesis technologies
  • diverse extraction, separation, purification and process application technologies
  • extensive analytical capabilities for biomass and end-product characterization
  • fermentation and microbial production, including process optimization and scale up across a broad spectrum of organisms and feedstocks

Collaborate with us

We have the expertise to support your company from design through to deployment of innovative technologies for producing value-added products from renewable biomass. Collaborate with us on strategic research projects to help de-risk your innovative ideas, reduce your start-up costs and accelerate your commercial development timelines.

 
Collaboration opportunities

Working with us means you have a multidisciplinary research and technology organization helping develop your products and technologies. We offer technical services, customized research solutions and partnering opportunities to help accelerate your commercialization and R&D activities. We work with you to:

  • develop new feedstocks specific for your high-value, bio-based chemicals
  • overcome technical barriers to commercializing your core technology
  • develop innovative and next-generation technologies for producing specialty chemicals
  • anticipate and respond to changing regulatory and consumer market forces
Collaborator benefits

Include the NRC in your R&D planning—with our early stage guidance, we can support your objectives. We understand the best R&D strategies in transforming renewable resources into high-value bio-based chemicals, ingredients, and products. Let us enhance your competitive position in the bio-based chemical market to:

  • expand your product's versatility and diversify your market applications
  • improve the efficiency, quality and consistency of current processes
  • access expertise and infrastructure outside of your core internal capabilities
  • advance your technologies from pilot to demonstration scale
  • use cutting-edge science to differentiate your fine, specialty and niche products from competitors
Technical and advisory services
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Bioconversion and biocatalysis
  • Biomass characterization and feedstock development
  • Characterization, quality assurance and quality control
  • Downstream processing technologies
  • Enzyme development and optimization
  • Fermentation and microbial development
Research facilities
  • Bioprocessing pilot plant
  • Lab-scale reactor and bioreactor
  • Pilot-scale fermentation facilities
  • Plant growth facilities

Contact us

Laurel O'Connor, Business Development Officer
Telephone: 306-975-4573
Email: Laurel.Oconnor@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Targeted industries

Biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, agriculture, pulp and paper, health and wellness, personal care, functional foods and beverages, bioactive ingredients, biomanufacturers

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