News Bioeconomy
Forest Innovation and Bioeconomy Conference in June 2023 to benefit B.C.’s forest sector

British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests is organizing the Forest Innovation and Bioeconomy Conference 2023 (FIBC) – Commercialization and High Value Applications to accelerate bioeconomy development for the province’s forest sector. FIBC will be held from June 19 to 21 at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia and UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

The FIBC, held in collaboration with the University of British Columbia’s BioProducts Institute, Foresight Canada, and FPInnovations, attracts renowned keynote speakers.

A press statement from the B.C. government explains that the event will present the global scientific, technological and business landscape to nurture forest bioeconomy development in the province.

Registration for the conference is now open.

The conference highlights a broad range of topics including innovation research and development; bioproduct commercialization; bioeconomy cluster development; and Indigenous community bioeconomy development. The event is expected to bring together a broad range of attendees from forest companies, bioproduct startups, government, research institutes, Indigenous communities and media, to inspire research and business ideas, facilitate collaboration and exchange information on forest bioeconomy development.

“The FIBC is an excellent opportunity to bring together industry, government, and First Nations to explore how we can work together to accelerate the growth of BC’s forest bioeconomy,” according to Honourable Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, “We’re excited to continue to drive innovation and economic development in the province. The presence of the Swedish Ambassador and other foreign representatives underscores the importance of developing sustainable and innovative solutions for the forest sector, not only in BC but worldwide.”

Representatives from global organizations, including Metsä Spring (Finland), Spinnova (Finland), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Paper Province (Sweden), Scion (New Zealand), Suzano, West Fraser, the BioProducts Institute of UBC, BC Pulp and Paper BioAlliance, and Bio-Industrial Innovation Canada, will present or participate in panel discussions.

FIBC will run back-to-back with the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry’s (TAPPI) Nano Conference, which will take place from June 12 to 16 in Vancouver.

The conference will also host an International Innovation Day on June 21, 2023, which will feature a delegation from Sweden, led by Ambassador Urban Ahlin, as well as representatives from Finland. The event will provide an opportunity for the B.C. government and industry to share information, help BC’s Indigenous communities develop business opportunities, and build partnerships among participants.