Grant: Technology Access Centre

Established in 2015, Lambton College's Bio-Industrial Process Research Centre (BPRC) emerged to bridge a critical gap in applied research and development within the Sarnia-Lambton Bio-Hybrid and Chemistry Cluster. In 2019, the BPRC transitioned into a Technology Access Centre (TAC), experiencing a positive response and notable success. Collaborating with 434 partners on 333 projects, BPRC has contributed to the creation of 370 new products, the optimization of 301 processes, and the provision of 311 technical services, solidifying its position in the region and Canada. The Centre has successfully generated $2,212,442 in cash revenue from companies, of which $440,682 originated from fee-for-service work paid directly by the partner without any matching funds. It has further secured an extra $15,211,572 in grants and engaged 331 students in its initiatives. Currently, BPRC is supported by a dedicated team of 25 full-time and part-time faculty members and 19 research scientists and technicians. This collective expertise drives BPRC's research initiatives, enabling the Centre to address the dynamic requirements of an evolving industry effectively. In addition, BPRC's state-of-the-art facilities include 7 laboratories, 1 greenhouse, 2 pilot spaces, 6 single offices, 12 student researcher flex spaces, over 150 pieces of direct equipment (worth $12M), and $10M in indirect equipment access, all dedicated to fostering collaborative research activities. To sustain BPRC's ongoing initiatives and facilitate growth, Lambton is actively seeking a TAC renewal. Previous TAC funding has been integral to the Centre's achievements, providing crucial support for its fundamental operations. Building on past performance, BPRC anticipates attracting 770 projects, receiving $3,200,000 in cash support from industry ($2,080,000 for leveraging grants, and $1,120,000 for fee-for-service projects), securing an additional $17M in grants, and engaging 46 faculty and 495 students over the next five years. Demonstrating a commitment to staying at the forefront of cleantech research, fostering innovation, supporting industry and community engagement, and preparing students for success, Lambton has invested $34.2 million towards infrastructure for BPRC. As part of Lambton's continued commitment, the College intends to increase its annual cash contribution to $100K/year, totaling $500K.