Four core businesses have been identified to provide initial directions for the Board of Bio Solutions. Board members will review and refine priorities according to evolving circumstances in the marketplace and to their own professional insights.
A key point for industrial, commercial and scientific partners is that these core themes break down barriers between the traditional "silos" of agriculture, forestry and life sciences. They seek to capitalize on connections and opportunities that bridge these bio-based sectors, opening up new opportunities and greater economic return for enterprises open to collaboration and innovation.
Click to explore the four themes:
Biorefining is the conversion of agricultural and forestry resources into molecular building blocks for products such as transportation fuels, heat, electricity, chemicals, composite materials and pharmaceuticals.
Alberta has a jurisdictional advantage over global competitors because of its large land base, a wealth of biomass resources and an existing infrastructure for the energy sector that uses hydrocarbons as feedstock for fuels and other products.
The basis for an integrated biorefining sector is the zero-waste concept, in which all wastes, residues and byproducts become valuable feedstocks for novel processes and products.
Population health research recognizes the importance of affordability, accessibility and consumption of healthier foods and food derivatives. Nutrients and other essential components within agricultural products, and the platform sugars and neutraceutical components within forest fibre, are available to contribute to health and lifestyle goals.
Alberta has a multi-faceted research and development system already in place, offering numerous entry points and connections for entrepreneurs and researchers seeking to pursue opportunities in functional foods.
Alberta's Food and Health Innovation Framework is designed to promote the scientific advances that will allow food, food products and natural health products to improve health outcomes and drive increased economic growth.
Prosperity for forestry and agriculture is as dependent upon environmental sustainability and integrated resource management as it is on economic return. The development of new technologies will continue to allow improved performance on all fronts.
Bio Solutions intends to maintain Alberta's leadership in the understanding of forest and agricultural genetics, plant and animal nutrition, soil and water stewardship, disease and pest management and maximizing value recovery at all points along the supply chain.
Natural forces influencing production and pests, as well as constantly changing market conditions, means there will be a continually-evolving set of issues that must be addressed for Alberta producers to remain globally competitive.
This area of work supports technologies that unlock the potential of agricultural, forest and synthetic fibre for products used in everything from space exploration to alternative energy to human health.
Part of the work will involve continued enhancements along the entire value chain, from what genetics are used in forest and field, to how feedstock is harvested, sorted and delivered to the highest-value processing system.
Another part is exploration of new conversion technologies, such as the manipulation of cellulosic materials at the fermentation, gasification and nano, or sub-molecular, level.