Biobased Products

Advancing Sustainable Practises in Industrial Chemical Processes

Renewable Chemicals and Biobased Products

BC Research Inc. leverages decades of experience in biobased chemicals and materials to help out clients create value-added products from renewable, natural resources. Working closely with the Pulp and Paper, and New Ventures divisions of NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd., we have built a strong understanding of the opportunities offered by biobased materials.

From producing and refining cellulose nanocrystals to deriving green chemicals and recovering tall oil from the kraft pulping process, BC Research Inc. has long contributed to helping Canada diversify its bioeconomy. Our commitment to developing sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical processes drives our team to design and scale up chemistries based on natural materials.

Some recent examples of our work in this space include:

  • Developing and testing a novel reactor for the continuous production of cellulose nanocrystals from wood pulp, leading to pilot testing at Innotech Alberta.

  • Continuing the development of cellulose nanocrystal related technologies both in-house and in collaboration with external partners.

  • Testing the NORAM–FPInnovations LignoForce™ process for producing odour-free lignin from kraft pulp.

  • Developing a lignin-fractionation technology to isolate higher-value components from kraft lignin, and testing lignin-depolymerization processes.

  • Collaborating with the petrochemical sector on pathways to produce renewable feedstocks and biocrudes for co-processing.

  • Conducting a joint project with a polyurethane manufacturer to develop a process for bio-sourced BTEX via pyrolysis of black liquor.

  • Working with pulp mills to optimise the flotation and subsequent recovery of tall oil from black liquor.

Our Core Research Areas

Biobased Products

Converting renewable feedstocks into sustainable chemicals, fuels, and functional materials

Chemistry of Multiphase Systems

Leveraging interfacial phenomena to control reaction kinetics, phase separations, mass and heat transfer, rheological properties and overall process efficiencies

Challenging Industrial Chemistries

Designing systems with real chemistries, using real feedstocks and operating at industrial temperatures and pressures to develop and validate chemical process technologies

Hydrogen Separation and Processing

Developing processes and unit operations that support a growing hydrogen-based economy

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BC Research Inc. provides expert research and development, and scale-up support to turn technical challenges and innovations into commercially viable solutions. Contact us today to discuss your technology and see how we can help accelerate your success.
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