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Scientist Helps Build Green Economy

Dr. Suresh Narine is researching how soybean oil can replace petrochemicals in a variety of products.

Ontario soybean oil is being positioned to replace petrochemical ingredients in everything from cosmetics to adhesives thanks to a new research program at Trent University.

The new bio-materials research program is one of only a handful in the world focused on lipid utilization.  Canada’s only other research program is at the University of Alberta.

The Trent Biomaterials Research Program is led by Dr. Suresh Narine whose previous work at the University of Alberta has already led to commercialized technology and patents.

Ontario’s soybean industry and Trent University are moving toward not only replacing many high-value petrochemicals ingredients but improving the characteristics of many products where soybean oil will be a new, organic component.

The Research Centre is a perfect complement to the bio-manufacturing research being done at the University of Guelph.  Trent’s program will focus on high-value uses of soybean oil while Guelph’s research is advancing the use of proteins and fibre.  These universities have already discussed sharing specialized lab equipment as they move forward.

Another important aspect of Trent’s strategy is the involvement of investors capable of commercializing Trent’s research.  Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc has invested $1 million toward the start-up and will pay royalties so Trent and the Ontario Soybean Growers can further their research.

The soybean industry’s Identity Preserve (I.P.) system fits this research perfectly since it guarantees that beans grown for specific qualities can be segregated from field to oil extraction plant. 

The start-up money for this research centre is strategic.  It started with a $1/2 million each from Ontario Soybean Growers; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and an anonymous benefactor from Peterborough.  That attracted $1 million from private industry.