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Nicholas Ignatieff
Phone: 514-496-9405
Email: Nicholas.Ignatieff@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
Chemical and ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials
Project Objectives
To create new, innovative ways of transforming lignocellulosic biomass (including lignins, hemicellulose and cellulose) into chemicals and ethanol.
Driving Forces
- Production of chemicals from forest biomass will increase the value of lignin and hemicellulose byproducts and improve the economic viability of market pulp mills.
- The chemical process industry will be able to replace a portion of petroleum-derived chemicals with biomass-derived chemicals.
- Attenuate global warming by reducing fossil-fuel CO2 emissions.
- Stimulate rural employment through creation of local capacity to convert forest and agricultural biomass into added-value biorefinery products.
Real Results for Canada!
- Increased value for Canadian forest and agriculture industry
- Rural revitalization through long term employment and stimulation of local biorefining capacity
- Economic growth compatible with a reduced carbon footprint
Did you know?
Lignin is "a complex organic compound that binds to cellulose fibers and hardens and strengthens the cell walls of plants. Lignin is a polymer consisting of various aromatic alcohols, and is the chief noncarbohydrate constituent of wood." *
* The American Heritage Science Dictionary
Participating NRC Institutes
- NRC Institute for Biological Sciences
- NRC Biotechnology Research Institute
- NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences
Co-Lead Project Directors
Dr. John Schmidt, FPInnovations Paprican and Dr. Benoit Girard, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
