McGuinty Government Supporting Innovation-Driven Economy
The Government of Ontario is supporting the province’s innovation-driven economy by providing $7.5 million to help move two biofuel projects to the global marketplace.
The innovative projects represent the next generation of biofuels because they create energy from agricultural byproducts, such as corn husks and manure.
Ontario is providing $5 million to support the new Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources at the University of Western Ontario’s (UWO) experimental field station. The institute, together with Agri-Therm Limited, is working to turn agricultural byproducts into fuel and other chemicals, including organic insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers.
The second project will take place at Stanton Farms and is expected to generate green energy from manure and waste water, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and odour. Stanton Farms will complete a new biogas demonstration facility in collaboration with UWO, the University of Guelph, and the University of Waterloo.
The projects are part of UWO’s Bioproducts Initiative and will help the province tackle climate change and supply the global demand for more sustainable biofuels. This investment is part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a plan to make innovation a driving force of the provincial economy.
QUOTES
“Ontario is at the forefront of developing the world’s next generation of biofuels that create energy from agricultural byproducts rather than food. For Ontario, it is not “food or fuel” – we believe innovation is the key to “food and fuel”. We have internationally renowned researchers, savvy entrepreneurs, and now - with the launch of Western’s Bioproducts Initiative - another world-class research institute working quickly to commercialize the ideas that will fuel our future and our economy.”
– John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation
“More sustainable biofuels is good news for Ontario farmers and good news for our families. It means a cleaner, healthier environment and sustainable, innovation-based jobs for rural Ontario.”
– MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Maria Van Bommel
QUICK FACTS
· Ontario produces close to 50 million tons of biomass a year, which has the potential to produce enough energy to meet the needs of seven million Ontario homes.
· Since 2003, the Government of Ontario has invested more than $600 million in research projects and companies working on green technologies and initiatives.
· The Stanton Farms biogas facility is the largest on-farm biogas facility currently under construction in Canada.
· Ontario is a global leader in biofuel research and home to companies that are leading the way – such as Iogen Corporation, which has been producing cellulose ethanol, a renewable biofuel for cars, at its demonstration facility in Ottawa since 2004.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, part of the province’s five-point plan for the economy, which also includes skills and training, building infrastructure, strategic tax cuts to creative investment and partnerships with business.
Learn more about The University of Western Ontario’s Bioproducts Initiative.
Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda and the Bioeconomy.
Learn more about Ontario’s Next Generation of Jobs Fund.
Contacts:
Perry Blocher
Ministry of Research and Innovation
416-326-7717
Sandra Watts
Minister’s Office
416-314-7067
