FIBRE, or Forest Innovation by Research and Education, is the newly created organization that has been structured to build synergies among eight forest sector university R&D networks funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research…
FIBRE, or Forest Innovation by Research and Education, is the newly created organization that has been structured to build synergies among eight forest sector university R&D networks funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The mandate for FIBRE to work toward forest sector innovation comes from a partnership comprised of: FPInnovations, Natural Resources Canada, NSERC and the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC).
“The FIBRE partnership is a unique opportunity to create and share knowledge and best practices from eight forest research university networks which draw on the R&D strengths of each other in an innovative approach,” says Theo van de Ven of McGill University and spokesperson for FIBRE. “It will also allow us to ensure better connectivity with other key components of the Canadian Forest Sector Innovation System.”
FIBRE is composed of seven NSERC strategic initiatives, which are: ForValueNet Network, and Value Chain Optimization Network, both led by Laval University; Bioconversion Network, led by the University of Guelph; Lignoworks, led by the University of British Columbia; Innovative Green Wood Fibre Products Network, led by McGill University; Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network, led by McMaster University; and NEWBuildS, led by the University of New Brunswick. The eighth R&D network is ArboraNano, the Canadian Forest NanoProducts Network, a Business-led Centre of Excellence.
“FPInnovations has been a strong proponent of FIBRE from the outset because we believe that universities are playing a key role within the Canadian Forest Sector Innovation System,” states Pierre Lapointe, President and CEO of FPInnovations.
FPInnovations has hired Paule Têtu as FPInnovations-University Strategic Partnership Advisor. Mrs. Têtu will be working with networks and partners to stimulate the commercialization of R&D results generated through FIBRE’s university networks. Her mandate includes ongoing consultation on network programs with the forest sector, provincial governments, as well as non-traditional industries that can benefit from innovation in the forest sector.
“Ground-breaking research is helping transform our forest products sector into a dynamic and future-oriented industry,” says Avrim Lazar, the President and CEO of FPAC. “This type of partnership is crucial as Canadian forest companies compete to take advantage of an estimated $200 billion market for new bio-products made from trees.”
For more information, visit: www.reseauxfibrenetworks.ca.
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