News Bioeconomy
New name, focus for Canada’s longest-running bioenergy event

Sept. 7, 2017 – The International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition is being reborn as the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition.

The new name reflects a growth in the use of woody biomass from legacy industries such as wood pellet production and cogeneration to a full menu of products such as biofuels, biogas, biochemicals, biopharmaceuticals and other bioproducts.

“The original name and mandate were chosen to focus attention on the emerging bioenergy industry in Northern BC and on creating a venue for Canadian wood pellet producers to connect and network with their customers and colleagues in other parts of the world,” explained Jim Martin, Chair of the Board of Directors of the conference.

“The bioenergy industry in Canada has grown and matured since we founded the conference in 2004. We felt it was important that, as the leading conference of its kind in Canada, we should reflect the diversification in the use of woody biomass across the full value chain of bioproducts.”

North-Central British Columbia continues to be the largest producing region in Canada of wood pellets, and one of the largest in the world. It is home to Pinnacle Renewable Energy, Pacific Bioenergy and Premium Pellets, as well as to some of the longest-operating pulp mill cogeneration facilities in North America and a number of district energy systems.

But with projects such as the groundbreaking Canfor-Licella biofuels project in conference host city Prince George, the industry is now moving quickly toward new technologies and new innovations in wood-based products that are fuelling the new bioeconomy.

The new conference will continue its predecessor’s legacy of excellence in showcasing the innovation of the companies, organizations and researchers who make Canada a global leader of the bioeconomy.

“The Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition will build on the success of the International Bioenergy Conference,” said Martin. “We will continue to bring expertise from around the globe to share knowledge and best practices with Canadian industry members, and to demonstrate Prince George’s and Northern BC’s leadership role in the Canadian bioeconomy.”

“Prince George is one of the most diversified and important forestry communities in Canada and continued innovation and leadership in this sector is critical to our economic development,” said Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall. “We’re delighted to be hosting the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition next June.”

In addition to being home to numerous pellet companies, pulp and paper and cogeneration facilities, Prince George is also home to a wood-based district energy system connecting eleven buildings through its downtown, including the conference venue. In addition, bioenergy facilities at the Prince George campus of the University of Northern British Columbia are venues for research and have reduced the University’s consumption of fossil fuels for heating by about 85 per cent.

The new Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition will take place in Prince George June 6-8, 2018. Register at www.bioeconomyconference.com.