Toward a Bio-Processing Eco-Industrial Alliance

The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SD&G) Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) has recently completed an economic development project which uncovers major business opportunities for agriculture and manufacturing companies in SD&G.

The report also assesses the feasibility of establishing a bio-processing eco-industrial alliance in the United Counties of SD&G.

“Based on this research project we feel justified in stating that by 2020 there will be an alliance of companies in SD&G working together to create 10 new companies employing 200 people in the supply of goods and services to markets that are driven by the agriculture and food processing industries,” said Gay Hamilton, Executive Director of the SD&G CFDC.

There is, in fact, evidence to show that a cluster is already taking shape in SD&G. The final project report, commissioned to Doyletech Corporation and Milne Consulting and Research Services, is therefore optimistic about the feasibility of establishing a cluster of bio-product companies in SD&G.

For example, the project highlights an opportunity to re-introduce flax into crop rotation in SD&G. Locally grown flax could be used to produce pet food, aquaculture food, cold pressed flax oil, flax fibre-based bioproducts and other products by companies located within SD&G.

This is an important first step toward establishing a bio-processing eco-industrial alliance in SD&G. The report also points to additional revenue from “matching existing material and energy flows, filling upstream value chain gaps, extending downstream processing opportunities and realizing new product potential”.

Click here to view the full report.