Saguenay, Quebec, January 9, 2007 The Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, today announced that BioMatera Inc.
will receive $836,750 in repayable funding for the precommercialization of a
promising product the firm has developed in the field of biotechnology. This
project, whose total costs are evaluated at $1,673,500, will generate some
13 new jobs.
BioMatera Inc., which operates in the sector of biopolymer materials for
industrial use, has developed a new, technologically-advanced and entirely
biodegradable PHA polymer material for multiple applications. Placing the firm
at the competitive forefront, this revolutionary new material, with potential
uses in the packaging, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries, among
others, holds tremendous promise for the future.
For this precommercial production phase, BioMatera intends to set up a
small-scale manufacturing site on the premises of the Centre de haute
technologie Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean, where the
firm is currently headquartered. The funds from
Canada Economic Development will enable the enterprise to acquire
various equipment and cover the costs associated with commercial development and
patent applications. Once this project has been completed, BioMatera will be in
a position to proceed to the industrial production stage and to better ensure
its corporate growth.
"Today, more than ever before, any realistic vision of the future must centre
on sustainable development and protecting the environment for the benefit of
generations to come. The research and development carried out by BioMatera have
led to the design of an innovative material that, by reducing the harmful
effects of plastics on our environment, satisfies a growing demand and offers
huge potential for the future. Moreover, the highly technological nature of this
value-added product makes it of key importance to the economic diversification
of the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean region," stated
Minister Blackburn.
The technological advances made by BioMatera give the enterprise a
significant competitive advantage in the area of sustainable development.
Indeed, these advances make it possible to replace petroleum-based products,
which take hundreds of years to decompose, with considerably faster degrading
PHA polymers.
"The activities carried out by BioMatera fit well with our country's
innovation strategy. Canada's new government is committed to encouraging SMEs to
turn to innovation as a means of rising to the challenges of the
21st Century and of making the most of new opportunities, both
here and around the world," added Minister Blackburn.
This funding from Canada's new government is awarded
under the Regional
Strategic Initiative (RSI) for Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean implemented
by Canada Economic Development, whose mission is to promote the
long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by placing particular
emphasis on those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for
productive employment inadequate.
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Sources:
Nadia MarceauCommunicationsCanada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-4602E-mail: nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
