News Release
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2009
Investment In Biofuel Research Is Paying Off
McGuinty Government Supporting Sustainable Energy And Jobs
NEWS
Ontario is celebrating the official opening of a research facility that will put the province at the forefront of global biofuel research.
Today marks the official opening of the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR), located at The University of Western Ontario. The institute received $5 million from the province last July, and has already created eight new jobs while allowing 20 graduate students to pursue research leading to Masters and PhD degrees.
One project currently underway at ICFAR is on behalf of Agri-Therm Inc., a company that is in the early stages of bringing new biofuel technology to market. Agri-Therm makes a patented, mobile pyrolysis unit, and has just completed its first sale to the University of Veracruz in Mexico. This will bring jobs to Ontario, including a research engineer and contractors to build the final product.
Ontario’s support for this project is part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a $3.2-billion strategy to make the province one of the best places in the world to turn new knowledge and ideas into new businesses and jobs.
QUOTES
“There’s enormous global demand for sustainable biofuels and Ontario is in a strong position to seize this opportunity. We have internationally renowned researchers, savvy entrepreneurs like Agri-Therm, and now – with Western’s Bioproducts Initiative up and running – another world-class research institute working quickly to commercialize the ideas that will fuel our future and our economy.”
— John Milloy, Minister of Research and Innovation
“I’m proud to celebrate this news of new, green jobs coming to London, and to help celebrate this important milestone. 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.”
— Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
“I thank the Government of Ontario for its vision and commitment to world-leading research in facilities like ICFAR. Investments in researchers and knowledge creation, technology transfer and commercialization are taking place at universities through institutes like ICFAR and will result in new industrial collaborations, the creation of new long-term jobs and a more diversified green economy in Southwestern Ontario.”
— Dr. Amit Chakma, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Western Ontario
QUICK FACTS
- Pyrolysis can be used to turn agricultural byproducts, such as sugar cane and corn husks, into a solid called bio-char and a bio-oil. These can be used to make fertilizer, fuel and chemicals, such as environmentally friendly insecticides and pesticides.
- The Ontario Power Authority estimates that, by 2027, an additional 450 MW of energy could be produced by biomass projects in the province – enough to power more than 300,000 homes.
- Since 2003, the Government of Ontario has invested more than $600 million in research projects and companies working on green technologies and initiatives.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about current projects underway at the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Sources.
Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda and the Bioeconomy.
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