Large research infrastructures, a chemical and paper industry supporting a sector that is considered strategic, clusters that are able to build extended value chains, universities at the level of excellence and a federal government and provinces with a vision and an effective action plan. These are shortly all the strengths of the bioeconomy in Canada, as I saw them last week.
Comet Biorefining, the Canadian company focused on the production of high-purity cellulosic dextrose, completed a round of equity financing led by new investor PM Equity Partner. Current investor Sofinnova Partners and new investor Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) also participated in the financing, whose terms were not disclosed.
Comet Biorefining, the Canadian bio-based company, has signed an off-take agreement with bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber for high-purity dextrose from Comet’s planned commercial plant in Sarnia, Ontario.
The dextrose will be produced from agricultural residues using Comet’s innovative technology.
“The bioeconomy is an important piece of the puzzle in creating a more sustainable future”. To say it – in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Andrew Richard, founder, chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Comet Biorefining, a Canadian provider of sustainable cellulosic glucose technology for applications in renewable biofuels and biochemical. With Richard, who received his B.E.Sc. degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from The University of Western Ontario in 1990, an M.B.A. from the Richard Ivey School of Business in 1993, we talk about his company and the bioeconomy in Canada.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
Comet Biorefining, a leading provider of sustainable and cost-competitive cellulosic dextrose technology for applications in renewable biochemicals and biofuels, has announced the location of its commercial-scale biomass-derived sugar facility in the TransAlta Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario. The 60 million pounds per year plant will come online in 2018, producing dextrose sugar from locally-sourced corn stover and wheat straw. Corn stover consists of residues left in the field after harvest including stalks, leaves, husks and cobs.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 