Get Involved

Industry

The BCN’s primary mandate is to advance Alberta’s bioindustrial sector by accelerating technology development and implementation. We believe in taking a collaborative approach to projects and are continually looking for companies interested in partnering with us.

The BCN helps companies develop new, innovative biomass conversion and biorefining technologies or optimize existing processes. The BCN has no interest in ownership of IP. Our experience has shown us that successful outcomes are the product of establishing trust relationships with industrial partners and maintaining a commitment to open and consistent communication. This interactive approach allows unforeseen issues to be dealt with efficiently and quickly with the flexibility to streamline the project if necessary. We have found this to be a rewarding model for all parties involved in a given project.

In addition to collaborative research projects, a key benefit of being part of the BCN is the ability to access a large pool of expertise and resources in bioindustrial technology. Our partners are plugged into the entire network and communication system, which offers substantial benefits such as access to a variety of funding agencies and government support groups, a breadth of academic expertise in engineering, agriculture, forestry, chemistry, biochemistry and biological sciences, and increased ability to leverage financial contributions. Since the BCN’s inception in 2009 we have been very successful bringing together academics, industry, and government, and creating crosstalk between traditionally separate sectors. As such, the BCN has become an effective conduit for bioindustrial information and communication.

If you are interested in learning more about the BCN and discussing how to get involved with the Network, please do not hesitate to contact David Bressler or Kelly Maher. In addition to being an active partner, there is opportunity to attend our Annual Strategic Retreat. Please contact us for further information on this event.

Researchers

The BCN’s primary mandate is to advance Alberta’s bioindustrial sector through accelerating technology development and implementation. We believe in taking a collaborative approach to projects and are continually looking for qualified national and international researchers, with expertise that fits within our core research themes, to join our Network.

The BCN strives to establish robust, collaborative research projects aimed at developing new, innovative technologies and optimizing existing ones in the area of biomass conversion and biorefining. We recognize that to do so we require a breadth of academic expertise including engineering, agriculture, forestry, chemistry, business, biochemistry and biological sciences etc. Benefits of joining the BCN as a researcher include greater access to resources such as funding agencies and government support groups, industrial partners, and additional academic expertise.

It is becoming increasingly clear that funding agencies and industry favour collaborative projects, especially if they are part of a larger program or network, because it lowers risk, increases the potential for success of the project and reduces redundancy in research. Since the BCN’s inception in 2009 we have been very successful bringing together academics, industry, and government, and creating crosstalk between traditionally separate sectors. As such, the BCN has become an effective conduit for bioindustrial information and communication.

There is opportunity to bring existing projects into the BCN as well as to establish new projects. If you are interested in learning more about us or how you can become involved, please do not hesitate to contact David Bressler or Kelly Maher. In addition to being an active partner, there is opportunity to attend our Annual Strategic Retreat. Please contact us for further information on this event.