Grant: Canada Excellence Research Chairs

The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Forest Bioproducts (FBP CERC) will deliver nextgeneration materials based on renewable, forest-based resources. These sustainable and costcompetitive advanced materials are key for the success of the bioeconomy and the reinvention of the Canadian forest industry. Benefits to Canada include a cleaner environment and reduced dependency on non-renewable resources. Leveraging genetics, synthetic biology and polymer chemistry/physics, the CERC will produce materials, products and devices that will reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonize our economy and improve our quality of life. Discoveries will facilitate control of the interactions involving lignocellulosic structures at the micron- and nanoscales to achieve enhanced structural, optical and other properties. The effort will involve cellulose- and lignin-based particles, filaments, films and composites. Leading a multidisciplinary team and integrating strong local and global networks, the CERC will produce world-leading science, innovative products and processes, accelerating demand for forest bioproducts with high societal impact.