Funding supports two bioproducts projects

Winnipeg, MB – Federal funding of $210,000 for two projects will help the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) evaluate, develop and apply composite material technology using hemp and flax fibre to build high-performance biomaterials. With considerable global interest in developing light-weight vehicles from renewable materials, the CIC will collaborate with industry, government and educational institutions to achieve measurable economic benefits for farmers through the value-added use of the flax and hemp they grow.

Funding of $154,000 for the first project will help to find a use for locally grown fibres in the development of biocomposite prototype parts for the agricultural machinery sector, including tractor hoods, side shields and operator cabin roofs.

For the second project, $57,000 will help to evaluate the use of flax fibre as a lightweight reinforcement in injection molded plastic for use in car interiors.

“These new projects will allow farmers to realize a direct benefit from agricultural fibre improvement research,” said Dr. Simon Potter, CIC’s Sector Manager for Product Innovation and Civil Infrastructure. “From now on, it will be possible for them to use agricultural machinery built from the very products of their own fields.”