Bioeconomy the focus of new network

Ottawa, ON – A group of industry associations is joining forces in a new Bioeconomy Network (BEN) to explore ways to take advantage of the significant emerging potential in the global marketplace for bio-based products.

The announcement was made this week at the Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit in Ottawa. BEN represents about 800 member companies in areas such as the auto parts, biotech, chemical, agriculture and forest products industries. So far nine industry associations have joined and other associations are invited to sign up as well to explore new business modes and partnerships across sectors.

“Canada has an abundance of renewable resources that can feed a wide range of bio-products” says Catherine Cobden, the executive vice president of the Forest Products Association of Canada and the chair of BEN.  “Developing our bio-potential will help unleash our national resources potential to spur future economic growth and job creation in Canada.”

The new organization is calling on government to work with our industries to enable them to take advantage of these promising opportunities. Areas cited for government-industry collaboration include the investment climate, the regulatory environment, innovation, and market diversification. BEN will also work on collaborative partnerships and value added production.

“Some of key trading partners have already developed comprehensive bio-economy strategies and Canada must not be left behind,” says Scott Thurlow, the president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.  “We would like to position Canada as a bio-investment destination and to take advantage of the staggering promise of the bio-economy.”

The members of BEN are:

• Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
• BIOTECanada
• Canadian Bioenergy Association (CanBio)
• Canadian Renewable Fuels Association
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
• CropLife Canada
• Forest Products Association of Canada
• FPInnovations
• Bioindustrial Innovation Canada /Sustainable Chemistry Alliance