SARNIA, Ontario – Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is pleased to announce that it has made a COMM SCI investment in Origin Materials, Sacramento, California, through BIC’s Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (SCA) investment fund, as part of an investment round that will see Origin construct its first commercial scale demonstration facility in Sarnia by late 2018.
Origin has developed unique and proprietary technology which allows it to transform multiple bio-based feedstocks into a broad range of chemical intermediates with large existing market demand. The company has successfully demonstrated the technology in its Sacramento pilot plant but chose Sarnia for its first commercial scale demonstration due to the unique nature of the biocluster which has been growing in the Sarnia region in recent years.
This cluster allows Origin to not only locally source feedstocks but have a ready market in the biochemical value chain. Origin is supported by partnerships with several global consumer products companies that will benefit from bio-based packaging created from the Company’s bio-intermediates.
“The decision by U.S. based Origin to located their first commercial demonstration facility in Sarnia demonstrates the value of the Sarnia biocluster and validates the efforts of BIC and its local partners in creating the vision and executing the development of the cluster” said Sandy Marshall, Executive Director of BIC.
CEO and co-founder, John Bissell states, "The critical mass of infrastructure, expertise, and experience in Sarnia makes it a clear global frontrunner for commercializing industrial biochemical processes. We've found BIC to be a knowledgeable and capable partner and we look forward to further collaborations in the region.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, Executive Director Tel: 226.778.0020 ext. 237
Origin Materials Stephen Galowitz, Chief Commercial Officer Tel: 914.588.0221
About Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is a nationally focused not-for-profit organization based in Sarnia, Ontario. The Centre for Commercialization of Sustainable Chemistry Innovation (COMM SCI) acts as a hub for the commercialization of sustainable chemistry and bio-based innovation, providing businesses and technical support to participating small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in southern Ontario. COMM SCI was established with a $1-million contribution from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s (FedDev Ontario) Investing in Regional Diversification initiative and additional support from the Government of Ontario's Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science. Bioindustrial Innovation Canada creates jobs and economic value sustainably for Canada. We provide critical strategic investment, advice and services to business developers of clean, green and sustainable technologies. Our expertise in commercialization builds a stronger Canada. For more information, visit http://www.bincanada.ca/
About Origin Materials
Origin Materials tackles hard problems in materials in service of the world's great companies. Origin's technology produces bio-based intermediates from lignocellulosic (second generation) raw materials. Origin's intermediates can be used to make new polymers, surfactants, and carbon blacks, each with differentiated performance. For more information about Origin can be found at http://www.originmaterials.com/or hello@originmaterials.com