Canadian Government Invests in Oilseed Research

Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services said: "The Government of Canada is committed to developing Canada’s bioeconomy while delivering results for our farmers and protecting our environment.



"This important research and development network will help increase the oilseed value for Canadian farmers and advance our biofuels industry."

The IOSN will enable a group of experts to work together and exchange ideas and expertise in oilseed biology. Out of the total of C$3 million in funding Linnaeus Plant Sciences Inc., in Vancouver, British Columbia, will receive C$2.556million to administer the network and fund non-government research activities.

The network will develop a new type of oilseed that will be used solely for the production of petroleum substitutes, in a variety of applications, such as fuel additives for use in heavy equipment and marine towing operations; bio-based hydraulic fluids; and bio-based oils in the construction industry, civic bus transportation, and lobster fishing.

"Oilseed crops have the potential to provide bio-based alternatives to a variety of petroleum products," said Jack Grushcow, the President of Linnaeus Plant Sciences Inc. and the project lead for the ABIP Industrial Oil Seed Network.

"The Industrial Oil Seed Network will transition non-food Canadian oilseeds crops from a low value commodity to a high value industrial feed stock that can substitute for petroleum in a variety of applications. We very much appreciate the support of the Federal government in helping us reach these goals."

From this funding, a Thetford Mines-located company OLEOTEK will receive a total of $235,000 as one of the participants in the network.

"Thetford Mines area has shown a great vision when it banked on developing the oleochemical channel, and I am very pleased that our government is once more supporting this move towards diversification," said Minister Paradis.

"OLEOTEK is a leader in the region and its expertise is now accepted across the country. This success extends all over the area."

"OLEOTEK is very pleased to have obtained this $235,000 contract with Linnaeus Plant Sciences of Vancouver – a contract made possible by the contribution of the Canadian government," said François Dornier, President of the Centres for the Transfer of Technology.

"The contract will give OLEOTEK an opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team throughout the country to achieve a sustainable development objective."

A key part of the IOSN’s activities is helping capture value for the farm community. In addition to increasing the value of oilseed, several other economic development opportunities for the rural economy will be explored. These include blending, packaging and distribution business opportunities that will come from the increased usage of bio-based products.

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