Innovation Mission to Canada: Biorefineries and Bio-based Products

Biorefining plays a key role in making the chemical industry more sustainable. It converts biomass into basic chemicals, which are used to produce materials and fuels. In this way, we replace fossil-based raw materials, reduce our dependence on other countries and reduce our CO₂ emissions. Hence, biorefining contributes to a circular economy and a future-proof society.

Why Canada?

Canada is investing heavily in making its chemical industry more sustainable and aims to reduce its reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The country has a large amount of biomass, sourced from forestry, sawmills, food processing and crop residues. This aligns well with Dutch expertise and technology. In addition, Canada offers high-quality research partners and test facilities. The combination of Canada's strong feedstock and facilities with Dutch process and product innovation makes this collaboration both logical and promising.

The Netherlands and Canada are collaborating within Mission Innovation, in particular the Integrated Biorefineries Mission. There is also a Memorandum of Understanding between the Netherlands and Canada in the field of science, technology and innovation. Funding is available for joint R&I projects in the field of biorefining and bio-based products through Horizon Europe and Eurostars programs. During and following the innovation mission, we can explore the opportunities under these programs.

Themes

This innovation mission brings together Dutch and Canadian organisations in the following areas:

• Biorefining: (thermo- and bio)chemical conversion and/or mechanical separation of biomass into platform molecules and basic chemicals;
• Conversion to bio-based end products: processing of basic chemicals from biomass into bio-based materials (including polymers and construction materials) and fuels (including SAF and bioethanol);
• Process innovation and integration: validation, pilot and demonstration projects, process intensification and system integration.  

For whom?

The mission focuses on the following target groups active in biorefining and bio-based chemicals, materials or fuels:

• R&D managers;
• business development managers;
• CTOs and CEOs of companies and research institutions.

Mission objectives

By participating in this mission you will:

• engage with Canadian companies in the biorefinery sector (from biomass conversion to base chemicals up to and including biobased end products) and policymakers shaping the frameworks for the circular economy and green chemistry;
• explore opportunities for long-term collaboration in Canada for R&I-, pilot-, and demonstration projects;
• gain insight into feedstock valorization, technology validation, process innovation, and industrial applications.

Draft programme

The mission begins in Québec and is expected to end in Ottawa, with a stopover in Montreal. The programme is still being finalised. We will tailor the final programme as closely as possible to the participants’ interests. The following activities are planned:

• Visits to Natural Resources Canada, Enerkem and other leading organisations;
• A visit to the Scaling Up Bio conference in Ottawa;
• Networking events with local companies and research institutes, such as the National Research Council. It is expected that at some of these events, participants will have the opportunity to present their own organisations.

The delegation will be led by Jacqueline Vaessen, chair of the Chemistry & Materials sector board, and will be accompanied by further representatives from the sector board and the Dutch government.

Costs

The cost of participating in the innovation mission is €350 excl. VAT per person. This includes:
 
• Participation in the collective programme;
• Transfers to and from programme components;
• Lunch and dinners, if mentioned in the programme.
 
Participation does not include:
 
• Travel and accommodation costs (intercontinental and domestic flights and hotels);
• All individual costs, such as lunches and dinners outside the programme.

Registration

Would you like to take part in this innovation mission? Please register by 4 September 2026 using the online registration form.

The maximum number of participants is 30, with a maximum of 2 participants per organisation. If we receive more applications than this, we may have to make a selection. In that case, we will consider, among other things, how your expertise aligns with the mission. Once the registration period has closed, you will receive final confirmation of your participation. 

Want to know more?

Do you have questions about this innovation mission?

• For content-related questions, please contact Claudia Keijzer: claudia.keijzer@rvo.nl
• For logistical matters, please email our Innovation Missions team: innovatiemissies@rvo.nl