NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2009
INVESTING IN GREENER CAR PARTS
McGuinty Government Supports Research To Bring Products To Market
NEWS
The Ontario government is providing $2.5 million to three companies that are inventing new ways to make car parts out of crops. The parts are lighter, stronger and cleaner to produce and use.
Interior trim, head restraint coverings and ceilings can all be made from crops like soy beans and castor. They can also be used to make products used in packaging, construction, furniture manufacturing and other consumer items.
Canadian General-Tower Limited, GreenCore Composites Inc. and The Woodbridge Group are developing products that will create jobs in this emerging field. There is a growing global demand for less toxic, more eco-friendly chemicals and materials.
The funding will be provided through the Ontario BioAuto Council. It brings together sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and chemical and plastic producers.
QUOTES
“Our government is proud to support companies that are turning innovative ideas into good jobs and a greener, more globally competitive Ontario,” said John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation.
“These investments will help Ontario companies move to the forefront of technologies that allow us to replace toxic materials and products with environmentally friendly, bio-based ones. It’s a win for our environment and for our manufacturers,” said Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen.
“Ontario’s agriculture sector represents a valuable resource for our growing bioproducts industry. By supporting innovations in bio-based materials, we are building new opportunities for Ontario farmers and for our province’s economy,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
QUICK FACTS
- Plastics manufacturing consumes about 270 million tons of oil and gas every year worldwide.
- The global renewable and bioproducts industry is expected to exceed $125 billion in revenues by the year 2010.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about the projects being funded.
See how Ontario’s Innovation Agenda is creating jobs and opportunity.
See also:
- Backgrounder: Ontario Bioauto Council Projects
- Backgrounder: Success Stories
- For the Media: High definition A-roll (sound bites), B-roll and high resolution images
Podcasts:
| Listen to Minister Wilkinson | |
| “It is clear to me that innovation is the key to a successful Ontario. Our government is rightly working hard to make innovation inherent in the culture of our province.” Robert Magee, chairman and CEO, The Woodbridge Group |
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| “If we can link agriculture and forestry to manufacturing, and combine that with innovative technologies like biotech, nanotech, green chemistry, we will be able to strengthen the competitive position of the manufacturing sector in Ontario.” Craig Crawford, president and CEO, Ontario BioAuto Council Remarks made during event to announce that the Ontario government is providing $2.5 million to three companies that are inventing new ways to make car parts out of crops. |
