Research Areas

Biomaterials and Chemicals

As fossil fuel stores are depleted, there is greater demand for alternative technologies. Research in this area will develop technologies based upon the cost effective harvesting of biomass. Applying technologies in the wood and pulp and paper sectors will require better fermentation and extraction – including rapid and efficient processing of residues such as short cellulose fibre.

Innovative Wood Products and Building Systems

Research in this area will identify how to apply new technologies in emerging wood-based materials – as well as engineering and design – to new and sustainable building systems such as wood-biopolymer based composite materials. These buildings will include novel and innovative design elements but will also take into account guidelines surrounding fire safety, acoustic performance, structural integrity and overall durability.

As part of this, researchers will conduct life cycle analyses and environmental impact assessments to demonstrate that the materials they use are sustainable. Overall, the initiative will improve the capability to commercialize the next generation of wood-based building systems.

Innovative Green Papers

Research in this area will develop profitable, specialty pulp and paper grades that combine Canadian fibre with new manufacturing technologies.

More specifically, NSERC encourages researchers to develop:

• fine papers in combination with Canadian softwood chemical pulps to compete with tropical, short-rotation species grown in other countries;
• mechanical pulp and paper grades from Canadian species that are cost-competitive; and
• "green chemistry" solutions such as the pre-treatment of wood chips.

Value Chain Modeling

Research in this area will develop efficiencies across the supply chain – from harvesting the trees to bringing a product to market by examining product and market opportunities that will shorten the time it takes to use the materials harvested.

Research is required to develop better models and tools that identify how consumer needs drive demand within the forest industry.