Progress in the Canadian biorefining sector

Abstract

The development of biorefining in Canada has largely been driven by a combination of renewable fuel standards (mandates) and production incentives. As federal incentives for biofuel production move towards expiry, a challenge for future biorefinery deployment is identifying a robust economic strategy. A better understanding of supply chain issues is essential to identify short-term feedstock opportunities to support initial biorefinery deployment. In the longer term, energy crops may offer significant advantages, but achieving a supply of these feedstocks requires action in terms of both research and government programs. Incentives have kept the focus of Canadian biorefining activities on biofuel and to a lesser extent heat and power production; value-added chemicals may offer a better fit with existing Canadian infrastructure, but are not well supported by existing policy mechanisms.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research is funded by BioFuelNet Canada, a network focusing on the development of advanced biofuels and associated bioproducts. BioFuelNet is a member of the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada program (www.biofuelnet.ca). The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.