A bio-based feedstock company from California is going to build its first commercial scale demonstration facility in Sarnia.
In a news release Wednesday, Sarnia-based Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) announced it has made an unspecified investment in Origin Materials of Sacramento.
The company intends to build the demonstration plant by late 2018, saying it chose Sarnia due to the unique nature of the biocluster which has been growing here in recent years.
Origin has developed unique and proprietary technology which allows it to transform multiple bio-based feedstocks into a broad range of chemicals with large existing market demand.
Sandy Marshall, executive director of BIC, says the decision by Origin to locate its 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."
Origin CEO and co-founder John Bissell says they've found BIC to be a knowledgeable and capable partner.
"The critical mass of infrastructure, expertise and experience in Sarnia makes it a clear global frontrunner for commercializing industrial biochemical processes," says Bissell. "We look forward to further collaborations in the region."