Canadian University Forest Biorefinery Network (CUFBNet)

Directory of Biorefinery Research in Canadian Universities

A directory of Canadian university researchers and their fields of interest has been compiled by CUFBNet and may be found here (new Window)
 
Background

In 2006 PAPIER and Paprican formed a joint task force to promote and coordinate a Canadian initiative on forest biorefining with particular emphasis on the role and place of Canadian universities and research institutes in this undertaking.

The task force compiled 12 critical R&D domains in which Canadian universities could make very significant contributions. These domains are summarized below and described here.

                                                RD&D Program Domains

1. Product opportunity analysis
2. Forest feedstocks
3. Thermochemical pathways
4. Bioproducts from effluent and solid wastes
5. Products from hemicellulose
6. Products from lignin
7. Products from extractives
8. Products from condensates
9. Phyto-chemical products from bark, branches and foliage
10. Integrating novel products with existing product lines
11. Conversion of uncompetitive pulp mills
12. Integrating pulp mills with other industries

PAPIER established the Canadian University Forest Biorefinery Network, CUFBNet in 2008.

Structure and Operation of CUFBNet

CUFBNet is a voluntary associative network of scientists from Canadian Universities and FPInnovations engaged in cooperative biorefining R&D work.
CUFBNet will provide an organisational structure for information sharing, coordination and cooperation between research groups and development of partnerships with research institutes and industry.
CUFBNet will secure adequate funding for its autonomous operation. It is not intended however that CUFBNet become an R&D granting agency at any time.

Specific objectives of CUFBNet:

• Provide a structure for information sharing, networking, developing collaborations and partnerships;
• Act as a common voice for the Canadian university forest biorefinery research community when needed;
• Interface with government and granting agencies, support and coordinate grant applications;
• Link with international network counterparts;
• Act as single-source access for government and industry to up-to-date information on university-based biorefinery R&D in Canada.
• Organize meetings of the network membership and other joint activities such as symposia and workshops.

Participation in CUFBNet

Participation is open to all members of the Canadian academic and research community involved in forest biorefineryand related R&D. Some benefits of participation are:

• Single-source access of information on biorefinery activities among members and on development outside of Canada.
• Linkage to other R&D groups and projects, development of collaborations and partnerships, opportunities for joining existing or new projects, participating in grant applications.
• News from CUFBNet and FPInnovations
• Be on expertise list for use by  industry and government

In return, participants are expected to provide updated information on their activities in a timely manner when requested.

Partnership with  FPInnovations - Paprican

FPInnovations - Paprican is also a participant in CUFBNet, contributing project information not bound by its membership rules and collaborating with various university faculty in the Network.