The mission of the Biomass Canada Cluster is to advance research on sustainable biomass production and management, developing knowledge and technology that will help address climate change and promote Canada’s circular bioeconomy.
The Cluster conducts late-stage R&D and pre-commercial field trials, incorporating emerging technologies to bolster agricultural producer profits through increased biomass production, advanced conversion technologies, GHG emission reductions, and carbon credits. Agricultural producers are the primary customers and users, as well as in-situ data collectors, partners, and leaders in innovation.
The Cluster’s research, knowledge, and technology transfer activities contribute to Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and the attainment of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 by promoting the increased use of renewable and carbon-neutral feedstocks for energy production and the replacement of fossil fuel-derived products.
The Cluster mobilizes 13 researchers from 6 leading Canadian universities, 14 industrial partners, and an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facility. The Biomass Canada Cluster is funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) AgriScience program. The Cluster’s total value is $7.7 million over five years (2023-2028), comprising $4.3 million from AAFC and $3.4 million from industry partners, including BioFuelNet.
Now in its second funding cycle, the Biomass Canada Cluster continues to build on its previous research while aligning closely with key government priorities: Climate Change and Environment, Economic Growth and Development, and Sector Resilience in Response to Societal Changes.
The Cluster’s research activities are organized into three core themes:
- Biomass Production
- Biomass Feedstock Supply Chains
- Biomass Utilization
A summary of cycle 2 research activities is accessible here.