Sustainable biochemicals
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Canadian leadership in sustainable chemicals.
Upcycling renewable biomass residuals from forest and agricultural refineries into valuable biochemicals
The Opportunity
Chemical production is one of the most challenging causes of environmental issues. We rely on chemicals for nearly every aspect of industry and our daily lives. So there is a great interest in developing new ways to sustainably produce industrial chemicals. Emma Master and her team at the University of Toronto were ready to help.
The Challenge
Emma Master and her team had discovered the potential of upcycling underused biomass leftover from the pulp and paper, and bioethanol industries into glucaric acid, a fundamental building block used to create many industrial chemicals. But they needed to prove it at a larger scale and quantify product yields from wood and agricultural fibre supplied by their industry partners. It required validation of the performance of their biocatalytic process to convert the biomass to glucaric acid at expected yields, a life cycle analysis to quantify the environmental benefits, and confirmation of the economic viability of the process for industry.
Validating the technical capability, the environmental benefits and the market potential are all critical to bringing new ideas to industry. NPC’s support was essential in helping us advance this important new opportunity.
NPC’s Solution
NPC provided the University of Toronto with $114,000 through the Proof of Concept Program to help them carry out the necessary work. The results were overwhelmingly positive, and helped to push the technology closer to commercialization. Key outcomes included: identification of two new promising products; actionable cost-saving strategies; carbon footprint reduction opportunities; advancement of technology that aligns with additional funding opportunities; validation of yields that are amenable with industry needs; and scale up of production by over 1000%.
NPC is committed to the creation of natural products that are better for people, animals and the planet. We propel early-stage Canadian innovators with the advice, connections and capital they need to develop and de-risk their solutions quickly and efficiently.
University of Toronto
Description:
Sector(s):
Bioequivalents, Cleantech, GreentechFunding Type:
Proof of ConceptProvince:
OntarioFunding Amount:
$114,450
Year of Funding:
2021Name:
Emma Master