Elevance Renewable Sciences Invests $1M in Trent University Biomaterials Research Laboratories

27 October 2009

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. is investing $1 million in a partnership with Trent University Biomaterials Research Laboratories, based in Peterborough, Ontario. Elevance attended the official opening of the laboratories, which will be used to develop new biomaterials, biochemicals and bioproducts from natural oils.

This partnership will combine the findings of Trent University’s team of researchers, led by Dr. Suresh Narine, with Elevance’s expertise at commercializing bio-based products. Elevance is currently a leader in converting renewable resources into performance products such as specialty waxes, personal care ingredients and lubricants.

Through this collaboration, new biomaterials will be developed from oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola, flax, hemp and jatropha. In addition, the Ontario Soybean Growers organization will work with Elevance and Trent University on a major industrial research project.

Research into biomaterials allows for the development of products that perform as well or better than their petroleum-based alternatives and that are also safe, toxin-free and environmentally-sound. Unlike fossil fuel-based products, those developed using renewable resources leave a minimal carbon footprint and can be generated with a naturally recurring supply of materials.

Based in Bolingbrook, Ill., Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. creates a wide range of specialty chemicals from natural oils. Using a Nobel Prize winning technology called olefin metathesis, the company creates high performance waxes, functional oils, anti-microbials, lubricants, additives and other chemicals.