Backgrounder

March 8, 2007

ONTARIO'S INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Ontario produces more cars and trucks than any other jurisdiction in North America. We're also home to a $50 billion agriculture and forestry industry. The McGuinty government is investing more than $6 million to strengthen these key sectors, creating new markets for growers and improving the competitiveness of the auto sector.

Ontario BioCar Initiative

Today's typical car or truck uses over 100 kilograms of synthetic plastic. Based on fossil fuels, this plastic is becoming increasingly expensive to produce while creating a host of negative environmental impacts.

Researchers from the universities of Guelph, Toronto, Waterloo and Windsor think the solution is growing in Ontario's fields. They are working with partners in industry to develop "BioCar" applications — renewable, practical alternatives for a variety of synthetic materials currently used to make auto parts.

The researchers, led by Dr. Mohini Sain, are working to reduce production costs, increase functionality and improve the performance of materials based on hemp, wheat, corn, soybeans and canola. The project has the potential to make Ontario a leader in developing renewable, cost-effective technologies for the auto industry.

This initiative is funded through the Ministry of Research and Innovation's Ontario Research Fund. The ministry is contributing $5,991,300 to the project. A collection of other partners from the automotive, agriculture, forestry and chemical industries are contributing matching investment to the project. 

The McGuinty government is investing a total of $550 million over five years through the Ontario Research Fund, which provides research institutions with funding to undertake major research projects, hire research teams and cover other operational costs. This is a key part of the government's plan to provide researchers with the tools they need to lead world-class research in Ontario.

Ontario BioAuto Council

The ministry is also investing $255,000 in the Ontario BioAuto Council. The council brings together key players in the province's automotive assembly and manufacturing companies, agriculture, forestry, chemical and plastic manufacturing, public research and several Ontario ministries. Together, they will make Ontario a leader in auto parts made from bio-based materials.

Specifically, the council will create a Sector Innovation Network (SIN) that will facilitate linkages and build a network that includes science, industry and capital focused on creating a bioplastics industry in Ontario.

The current Ontario BioAuto Council members include:

• Steve Bolt, Co-chair, Ontario Chemical Value-Chain Initiative
• Patrick Diebel, VP Advanced Technology, Canadian General-Tower Ltd
• Frank Dottori, former CEO, Tembec Inc.
• Gerry Fedchun, President, Automobile Parts Manufacturers Association
• Peter Frise, Scientific Director and CEO, AUTO21 NCE, (Vice-chair Ontario BioAuto Council)
• Jim Grey, General Manager, Ontario Soybean Growers (former CEO, Casco)
• Greg Hannam, Co-owner, Woodrill Farms, and Director, Ontario Soybean Growers
• William Harney, Director of Research and Development, Decoma International Inc.
• Hamdy Khalil, Global Director of Research and Development, The Woodbridge Group
• Serge Lavoie, President and CEO, Canadian Plastics Industry Association
• Frank Maine, President, PSA Composites
• Jeff MacDonald, VP Automotive, Husky Injection Molding Systems
• Leon Magdzinski, Bioproduct Specialist, Northern Ontario Commercialization Initiative
• John Mann, Director of Engineering and Regulatory Affairs, DaimlerChrysler Canada
• Bob Marshall, Director Consortia Development, Ontario Centres of Excellence — Centre for Materials and Manufacturing
• Matt McLean, Executive Director, Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network (SOBIN)
• Greg Penner, President and CEO, NeoBio Consulting
• Mohini Sain, Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto and Adjunct Professor, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph
• Blake Smith, Director, Environment, Energy & Vehicle Safety, Ford Canada
• Gord Surgeoner, President, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies
• Bernard West, Co-chair, Ontario Chemical Value-Chain Initiative (Chair Ontario Bio-Auto Council).