16 January 2015

The mandate of Université de Sherbrooke’s Industrial Research Chair in Cellulosic Ethanol and Biocommodities has been renewed through a $2.8 million grant from the Government of Québec’s 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan.

Created in 2007, the Chair aims to develop and support Québec’s technological expertise in producing biofuels and biocommodities – bioplastics, bioproducts, etc. – that would make it possible to reduce Quebec’s dependency on imported oil.

During its first mandate, the Chair notably contributed to the creation of two demonstration cellulosic ethanol plants, trained researchers who are now employed by Quebec companies, in addition to conducting research on marketable applications.

With a total budget of $3.6 million until 2017, the Chair will continue to build on the results obtained. “To achieve the mandate of providing gasoline with 5% ethanol content, we must harness multiple sources of carbon, such as residues from forestry and agriculture, as well as urban waste, to supplement our production of ethanol from grains,” explained Chairholder Jean-Michel Lavoie, professor in the Faculty of Engineering.

Source and photo credit: Université de Sherbrooke