(99c) The Canadian University Biorefining Network: an R&D Power House

The Canadian pulp and paper (P&P) industry is a key component of the national economy. In recent years, however, several factors have created a very difficult economic environment for this industry and it must make radical changes to return to profitability. Biorefining must be part of any strategy for change. This term designates the utilization of forestry and agricultural biomass to produce a spectrum of products by various extraction and transformation pathways. Chemical pulping processes are prime candidates for conversion to biorefining. The implementation of biorefineries in Canada by converting a substantial segment of its pulping production capacity in a timely fashion will require the deployment of massive efforts covering a broad range of activities. In order to tackle this task a nation-wide university-based R&D network has been established by PAPIER, an association of Canadian university faculty involved in research for the P&P sector. Called the CUBNet, it is for the time being an informal, voluntary and associative network of university-based projects and initiatives focused on forestry biorefining and carried out in association with the P&P Research Institute of Canada (Paprican). Twelve major areas in which R&D work is required have been identified and a plan of action formulated. An inventory of faculty members interested in participating in the effort from most Canadian universities has been compiled. Several major projects have been formed and are underway.