This year's Plant Bio-Industrial Oils Workshop was a great success! Ag-West Bio and NRC-PBI would like to extend a special thanks to our  speakers, panelists, and Chairs for sharing their knowledge and ideas, and to the sponsors who helped make this workshop happen. And, of course, thank you to everyone who attended; the workshop drew an enthusiastic audience, and the discussions were lively and thought provoking.

Presentations and photos are now available by clicking on the following links:

Click here to view photos from the workshop.

Workshop attendees: To view presentations, click here and enter the password you received by email. If you haven't received your password, please contact us.

If you did not attend the workshop, but would like a copy of the presentations, they are available on disk for a fee. Please call 306-975-1939 for more information.

Accommodations

The beautiful and historic Delta Bessborough Hotel --  the 'castle' on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River in downtown Saskatoon -- will be the venue as international experts share their knowledge and insight.

Call the Delta Bessborough at 1-877-814-7706 to book your room.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Registration

Ag-West Bio Member Registration Fee $177.30 + $ 10.64(GST) = $187.94
Non-Member Registration Fee $195.00 + $ 11.70(GST) = $206.70
 
Corporate members: The membership rate applies only to the 3 designated contacts listed in your membership application form.
Call 306-975-1939 for more information.


____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Program
Program is subject to change. Last update: Feb. 22, 2007. Download pdf document.
 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Speakers
16 international and local experts (from both industry and research) will speak on the topic of plant bio-industrial oils from the perspective of producers, breeders, and business. An overview of current and potential applications will also be presented, as well as an update on what's happening around the world.

Click on a name to learn more about a speaker or to read their abstract:

Sten Stymne | Allan Green | Take Constantinescu |  Hamdy Khalil | Richard Larock | John Dyer | Dean Bushey  | Eric Seewald Raymond Bergstra | Duane Johnson  |  Paul Dribnenki  |  Martin Reaney  |  Stéphane Guilbert  |  David Maenz  | Dwayne Hegedus Siegfried Meyer | Zenneth Faye |

Panelists:
JoAnne Buth | Keith Downey | Zenneth Faye | Peter McVetty

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Sten Stymne
Professor, Department of Crop Science
Swedish University of Agriculture

Sten Stymne is presently professor at Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agriculture in Alnarp, in the South of Sweden. Since his Ph.D. studies started in 1976 his research activities have concerned plant lipid biochemistry and genetics, in particular, biosynthesis of vegetable oils. He is regarded as one of the leading scientists in this area during the last 20 years. A pathway of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in plants, which was proposed in 1987 by Stymne and Stobart, is now a part of most biochemical text books. More recently, his research has concerned the production of unusual fatty acids in plants and their channeling to triacylglycerols.

His major scientific achievements include:

• The first to show that polyunsaturated fatty acids are produced on phospholipids and then channeled to triacylglycerols.

• Demonstration that the reverse reaction of the lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase catalyses the transfer of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the phospholipids into the acyl-CoA pool for further incorporation into triacylglycerols.

• His research has revealed the biochemical natures of the enzymes producing gamma-linolenic acid, hydroxylated, expoxidated and acetylenic fatty acids that accumulate in some oil seeds and mosses.

• His research group was the first in cloning genes encoding enzymes producing acetylenic fatty acids and the first in cloning a fatty acid epoxygenase of the non-heme type.

• Identified a novel class of enzymes (PDAT) producing triacylglycerols from phospholipids and diacylglycerols in yeast and plants and cloned the encoding genes.

• First in cloning a gene encoding a plant sterol ester synthesizing enzyme and in purifying low molecular weight phospholipases in plants and cloning their encoding genes.

Plan(t)s for the future: Industrial oils initiatives
Replacing fossil oil with sustainable alternatives is perhaps the most important and urgent challenge for the global society today. Vegetable oil is the agricultural product that chemically most resemble the fossil oil and therefore has the greatest potential to replace it both for fuel and for production of various chemicals and materials. I will, in this presentation, go through the various initiatives that are now taken to form a world-wide network of research to develop vegetable oil qualities and production systems through biotechnology, which will meet the future demands for an environmental, economical and social beneficial production of vegetable oils for both energy and the chemical industry.

These initiatives are taken both by individual scientists, as well as well as by EC/US Biotechnology Task force for Bioproducts and an EC project (EPOBIO). The planned activities can be split into two different categories which may eventually merge.

1. Developing vegetable oil with fatty acids with novel functionalities for chemical industry. These qualities will, in most cases, include novel fatty acid structures that are not present in today's oil crops which are used for food. In order to avoid out-crossing or unintentional mixing with food crops there is a need to develop a ‘safe’ industrial oil crop platform for the production of these qualities. There are a number of such platform crops for different regions in the world discussed, but there is a common agreement that Crambe abyssinica is presently the most promising candidate. I will present ongoing efforts in the development of Crambe for the production of various industrial oil qualities as well as future plans for funding through EC FW7 programs as well as planned U.S., Canadian, Chinese and Australian collaborations.
 
2. Biodiesel production: The energy output/input ratio of converting vegetable oils to biodiesel is far better than converting sugars (in form of starch, cellulose or sucrose) into ethanol. However, high yielding oil crops are limited in number and in Europe it is virtually only rape that is economically realistic to use today for biodiesel production. If the photosynthate in plants that now are efficient in producing cellulose or starch could be diverted to oil production instead, cost-effective vegetable oil production for biodiesel on huge acreages, with low economic input and low environmental impacts, could be foreseen. Such a major change in plant metabolism is a great scientific challenge which require a systems biology approach. Nevertheless, we have today the tools to start to work towards such a goal and, as I will show, it might be feasible to achieve substantial oil production in certain starch crops in a relative short time frame.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Allan Green
Program Leader
CSIRO Plant Industry
Metabolic Engineering of New Plant Products

Dr Allan Green is a Program Leader – Metabolic Engineering of New Plant Products for CSIRO Plant Industry located in Canberra, Australia. CSIRO is the principal scientific research agency of the Australian Government. His main research activity has been the genetic modification of fatty acid composition in oilseed crops. In the 1980s he pioneered the use mutagenesis to reduce linolenic acid content in flax seed oil, creating the new crop “Linola” which has become well established as a specialty oilseed in Canadian agriculture. His CSIRO research group has since led the way in applying RNAi gene silencing techniques to improve the nutritional value of food oils, creating new forms of canola and cottonseed oils combining high-oleic and low-saturate contents. In 2005 they were also the first in the world to report the synthesis of the valuable omega-3 fatty acid DHA in seed oils. They are now engaged on a significant new Crop Biofactories Initiative aimed at metabolic engineering of oilseeds to produce high-value specialty oils as renewable raw materials for industrial use.

The CSIRO-GRDC Crop Biofactories Initiative: Australian research to develop novel industrial oilseeds
Australian grain growers are experiencing lower financial returns for grain and increasing global competition. This has provided an impetus to develop new crop types that have higher farm gate values and greater overall returns. Crop biofactories - the use of crops as bioreactors to manufacture industrial chemicals that have high net values - is one area of high potential value that is currently being explored by CSIRO in partnerships with Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and industrial partners. Crop biofactories are inherently suited to Australia because of its advanced agriculture and downstream processing capability, diversity of crops and growing seasons and strong R&D and regulatory infrastructure. The potential attractiveness of crop sources of industrial chemicals is driven by global chemical industry interest in replacing petrochemical feedstocks with renewable resources and by the capability to make new products of greater specificity and complexity using biological systems. Many speciality industrial chemicals currently produced from finite petroleum resources have significantly higher value than commodity food oils. If these compounds can be synthesised at high yield in planta they could provide opportunities for higher value crops and expanded industry access to renewable raw materials. This talk will provide an Australian perspective on some of the opportunities for development of novel industrial oilseeds and the challenges confronting their successful commercial application.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Take Constantinescu
Managing Director
Chemont SA, Germany

Dr. Take Constantinescu has dedicated many years of his career to academic and technical research. He has delivered several lectures and seminars on Organic Chemistry. Moreover, he has written numerous publications, including: “Supported catalyst containing rhenium and method for hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds in liquid phase by means of said catalyst” in 2005, and “Process to afford gamma butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran” in 2002, to mention a few.

In 1964, Dr. Take Constantinescu obtained a degree Chemical Engineering with major in Technology of Organic Products from the Polytechnic Institute Bucharest. His PhD work includes a research on synthetic organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms at the Polytechnic Institute Bucharest (“Halogen elimination catalyzed by halide ions; reaction mechanism and stereochemistry”), and on bridged aromatic systems at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg (“Sulfur derivatives of 1,6-methano[10] annulene”).

Dr. Constantinescu has delivered lectures and seminars on Organic Chemistry and on Catalysis Applied in Organic Chemistry at the Industrial Chemistry Department of the Polytechnic Institute Bucharest, and at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, where he became Head of the Analytical Department in 1985. In addition, he was member of the Chemistry Curricula Commission of the Romanian Ministry of Education.

Currently, Take Constantinescu is the Managing Director of Chemont SA in Germany, working on the development of polymers, adhesives, bio-composites and fuel additives based on modified linseed oil. Previous to his position at Chemont SA, Dr. Constantinescu was the R&D Director at Vandeputte Oleochemicals, where he contributed with an extensive research on various modified linseed oils; maleinization of vegetable oils; bio-polymers based on modified vegetable oils; release agents for concrete, based on modified linseed oil.

Chemont S.A. is a small independent research and development company, recently founded (2003) in Mouscron, Belgium, as a spin-off of a linseed oil and oleochemicals producer (Vandeputte company, second largest European supplier of linseed oil).

Chemont is developing new products and processes involving renewable materials. Products targeted are bio-polymers, new composites incorporating natural fibres, adhesives, coatings, bio-fuels and fuel additives, products used in wood protection. Raw materials currently used are vegetable oils, mainly linseed (flax) oil.

Other areas of research interest of Chemont are catalytic oxidation and catalytic hydrogenation.

Vegetable Oils: Versatile Raw Materials for Industrial Products and Consumer Goods
With the huge interest in products and technologies which can help to diminish the consumption of petroleum, renewable materials are acquiring an increasing importance. It is surprising to note, however, that vegetable oils, with their remarkable chemical versatility, are largely ignored commercially as a possible source of polymeric products, while materials based on starch and cellulose have already many applications. Examples are given of possible ways of obtaining polymers based on highly unsaturated oils, like linseed oil.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top
 
Hamdy Khalil
Global Director of R&D and Product Development,
Woodridge Foam Corporation - Canada

In 1973, Hamdy Khalil received a Ph.D. in Organic Polymer Science. He served as a Post Doctoral fellow at NRC from 1974 to 1975. Then, in 1976, he joined Polystar Corporation as a Process Chemist for Halobutyl Manufacturing, later on serving as Analytical Laboratory Supervisor, and finally as Technical Marketing Manager. In 1983, Dr. Khalil started working as a Research and Development Manager at BF-Goodrich then as a Technical Director until 1994. Since 1994, Hamdy Khalil has been the Global Director of R&D and Product Development at Woodbridge Foam Corporation.

Recent Advances in the Manufacturing of Polyurethane Automotive Parts Using Renewable Resources
The presentation will review the need to reduce the dependency on fossil oil to manufacture Polyurethane Automotive Parts.
Emphasis will be given to Polyols derived from renewable resources.
 

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Richard Larock
Department of Chemistry
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Dr. Richard Larock, currently Professor of Chemistry at the Iowa State University, obtained his PhD from the Purdue University under the mentoring of 1979 Nobel Laureate, Herbert C. Brown. His Postdoc was mentored by 1990 Nobel Laureate E.J. Corey at Harvard University in 1971.

Dr. Larock research interests include: the development of useful, new synthetic methodology via Pd catalysis; heterocycles and carbocycles; electrophilic cyclization of acetylenes; aryne chemistry; and the preparation of useful bioplastics from agricultural oils, like soybean and corn oils. He is author of more than 300 publications (36 in the last year), 33 patents and four books, including two editions of "Comprehensive Organic Transformations”.

Major Awards:
DuPont Young Faculty Scholar, Iowa State University (1975-1976)
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow, Iowa State University (1977-1979)
Merck Academic Development Award (1997)
Regent’s Award for Faculty Excellence (1998)
Merck Academic Development Program Award (1998)
American Chemical Society Edward Leete Award (2003)
American Chemical Society Arthur C. Cope Senior Scholar Award (2004)
Paul Rylander Award of the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society (2004)

Novel BioPlastics and Composites from Natural Oils
The Larock group at Iowa State University has developed a very simple procedure for the synthesis of industrially promising biopolymers ranging from elastomers to hard composites by the cationic copolymerization of natural oils, like soy, corn, tung, and fish oils with styrene and divinylbenzene. The starting materials are readily available, renewable and inexpensive. These thermoset polymers possess good thermal and mechanical properties and some unique properties, like excellent dampening of sound and vibration and shape memory properties. Their synthesis, characterization, properties, and potential applications will be discussed. New thermal and free radical polymerization results using tung, linseed and conjugated soybean and linseed oils will also be discussed, as well as the latest work on the preparation and characterization of biocomposites and coatings from these materials.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

John Dyer
Research Chemist
U.S. Department of Agricultural, Agricultural Research Service
Commodity Utilization Research Unit

John Dyer is a Research Chemist and Lead Scientist working at the USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Dyer received his PhD in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University where he conducted work on the engineering of seed storage proteins for enhanced nutritional quality. As an NIH postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, he provided significant insight to the cellular properties of membrane protein targeting and assembly into peroxisomes. Since joining the ARS, he has focused on unraveling the cellular details of storage oil biosynthesis in plants, making substantial contributions to our understanding of protein targeting, assembly and regulation of oil biosynthetic enzymes. With over 51 publications and 26 invited presentations, he has been recognized with various awards at each stage of his career including the Distinguished Dissertation Award in Science, Engineering and Technology, an Outstanding Research Paper Award from the International Symposium on Peroxisomes, and an Outstanding Early Career Scientist award from the USDA-ARS. Since 2004, Dr. Dyer has served as co-Chair (along with his European counterpart, Sten Stymne) for the development of the US-EC Oilseed Flagship Project, which is a science and policy program being developed under the auspices of the US-EC Task Force on Biotechnology Research. He is currently conducting a fellowship at the University of York with Dr. Ian Graham to use advanced technologies of metabolomics and transcriptomics to identify bottlenecks for production of industrial oils in crop plants.

The Oilseed Flagship Project: A US-EC Initiative for Production of Industrial Oils in Crop Plants
Our society is heavily dependent on crude oil as a source of fuel and chemical feedstock, and with increasing concerns about availability, security of supply, and impact on the environment, there is substantial interest in developing alternative sources of fuels and feedstock to maintain our way of life. Plants offer an attractive platform for the production of both fuel and feedstock, and biotechnology can be used to greatly expand the number and types of oils that are produced in plants. A significant amount of basic research is still required, however, to establish the knowledge base and molecular tools required for rational engineering design. This talk will provide an overview of a US-EC initiative called the Oilseed Flagship Project, which includes a consortium of scientists and policy makers whose goal is to establish the research policy and scientific framework required for delivery of high value industrial oils in engineered crop plants. By directly engaging both scientists and stakeholders, a number of specific oil targets and traits have been identified, and in some cases, research has been initiated to achieve these targets. Moreover, additional funding for “Green Oil” research is now becoming available, and there is an outstanding opportunity to establish formal collaborative networks that are focused on the production of industrial oils in crop plants.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Dean Bushey
Bayer Crop Science - U.S.A

•  BA, Gettysburg College; PhD, Univ of South Carolina; Post-Doctorate, MIT

• Joined Union Carbide in 1977 and worked in the Insecticide Discovery Chemistry Group.

• Visiting Scientist to Cornell Biotechnology Institute in Ithaca, New York for two years.

•  Has since worked for Rhone Poulenc Ag Co, Aventis CropScience and presently with Bayer CropScience,
  all located in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

•  Managed Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, and University Relations.

• Now working in BioScience Business Development in Health, BioMaterial, and BioEconomy areas.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Eric Seewald
Bayer Crop Science - U.S.A

• BSc, University of British Columbia, MSc University of British Columbia, MBA University of Alberta.

• Joined Bayer MaterialScience, Germany in 2001 and work in the New Technologies department from 2003 - 2005 as the biotechnology manager.

• Joined Bayer CropScience in 2005 as Business Development Manager for BioMaterials.

Selecting a Plant Vehicle for BioMaterials Production - by Dean Bushey and Eric Seewald
Plants are proven and versatile production systems that have the potential to become widely used “bio-factories” in the production of biomaterials. The trend toward plant biotechnology-derived materials is expected to increase as production economics improve through advances in technology and demand increases through “green” procurement policies, the implementation of political initiatives such as carbon taxes and heightened consumer awareness.

To support this trend, careful consideration needs to be given to selecting the appropriate plant vehicles to produce biomaterials. Beyond technological and economical considerations, environmental and social perspectives need to be addressed when selecting plant platforms, as securing stakeholder confidence is a prerequisite for the successful adoption of this promising technology. This presentation describes relevant selection criteria for selecting the appropriate species for plant molecular farming.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Raymond Bergstra
MTN Consulting Associates
Dr. Ray Bergstra is the sole proprietor of MTN Consulting Associates, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Ray completed a B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry at McMaster University in Hamilton and obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1991 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Prior to establishing MTN Consulting Associates in 2003, Dr. Bergstra spent 9 years in industrial research, product development, and product line management with Mobil Oil Corporation based in New Jersey, Virginia and the UK, followed by three years in lubricants marketing and sales with ChevronTexaco in Alberta.

Dr. Bergstra has authored four technical papers and is a co-inventor of two patents. He has lectured both university-level General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry courses, is a contributing writer to Lubes 'n Greases magazine, and a speaker at the Alberta Annual Education Seminar for Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). He is a member of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, BioAlberta, and the STLE and has acted as an expert reviewer for projects submitted for funding to Sustainable Technology Development Canada.

Dr. Bergstra has contributed to a range of market research and industry review projects focused on the development of new business opportunities relating to bioindustrial technologies. These projects include:

• a comprehensive review of the agriculture business in Canada for a major supplier of fuels and lubricants to the agriculture sector.

• a study of industrial alcohols markets, with focus on biobased products as part of the Alberta’s bioplastics initiative;

• a review of current biomass processing technology towards industrial chemicals and bioenergy;

• a feasibility study for a pilot scale biomass processing plant;

• a comprehensive review of the business case for vegetable oil based lubricants based on western Canada oilseeds

• a review of the non-nutritive sweetener markets with a focus on the market opportunities for xylitol;

• a review of the potential markets and applications for Camelina, a new oilseed crop;

• development of strategies and business cases for various components of the emerging bio-based economy.

Emerging Opportunities for Natural Oil Based Chemicals
Plant based oils have been important feedstocks in industrial markets for many years. They have been used as refined oils, as sources of fatty acids and glycerol, and for manufacture of a wide range of organic chemical derivatives. The oleochemical industry continues to look at new opportunities as costs for petrochemicals increase but also as global growth in biodiesel has increased demand for natural oils for fuel. While western Canada is a well recognized source of oilseed production, the agricultural industry has had little integration with the chemicals industry. A number of opportunities for natural oil based chemicals will be discussed, with a view toward oilseed crops with unique fatty acid profiles.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Duane Johnson
Montana State University – USA

Duane Johnson received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences at California State University, Fresno. He received his Ph.D at Montana State University, Bozeman in Genetics and Plant Breeding. Professionally, he has worked on vegetable gum and natural rubber crops in Arizona (1978-1981); gluten-free cereals, oilseeds, and products derived from grain and oilseeds in Colorado (1981-2001). While in Colorado he initiated several new crop value-added ventures, the preeminent one being a canola-based motor oil. In 2001, he returned to Montana as a new crop specialist with Montana State University stationed at the Northwestern Agricultural Research Center in Kalispell, Montana. The focus of his oilseeds project involves development of low cost biodiesel and biolubricants as well as developing an emerging omega 3 industry. Duane was the Director of the Montana Institute for Biobased Products and Director of the Montana Agricultural Innovation Center. He is currently working on developing camelina as a source of vegetable oil for biodiesel, omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable gums and waxes.

Developing Camelina-based Industries: Energy and Nutrition
Camelina is an old European crop which has received very little attention as a food or industrial crop. The oil quality was unlike canola, flax or soybean and therefore it was discounted. With the development of an emerging bioenergy industry, camelina has caught the attention of researchers in the United States, eastern Europe and Canada. The Montana project curently is developing a comprehensive program looking at farmgate and industry enterprise budgets and finds camelina appealing as a low cost crop to grow and to process, resulting a low cost biodiesel. The oil itself is very high in various omega 3 fatty acids and some important precursor fatty acids to produce EPA and DHA, two important long chain omega 3s. Using cold-press systems, the residual meal typically contains 9-12% oil. Feeding trials of this meal with cattle, chickens, trout and dairy have shown significant increases in omega 3 from meat to milk and cheese over soy- or flax-fed animals. Current research in Montana involves developing cultural practices for camelina, new products from camelina oil and by-product consumption.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

 Paul Dribnenki
Agricore United – Canada

Dr. Paul Dribnenk was born and raised on a mixed farm in NE Alberta. He completed a Master’s degree (pulse breeding) under the guidance of Dr. Al Slinkard of the University of Saskatchewan, and a PhD (canola breeding) under the guidance of Dr. Keith Downey, AAFC, Saskatoon, SK.

Dr. Dribnenki was Program Leader for Agricore United’s Linum (flax) R&D program since 1990. With the R&D team, he registered seven Linola varieties in Canada and six Linola varieties in Europe.

Since 1990, he has been working on Linola variety development under a Joint Venture Agreement with CSIRO of Australia. He recently began working on high omega-3 flax (NuLin) variety development.

Dr. Dribnenki just moved Agricore United’s flax R&D program from southern Manitoba to the Alberta Research Council facility at Vegreville, AB.

Breeding Progress for Industrial Linseed; Emerging Opportunities for New Uses and Potential Significance for Canada
An overview of Canada’s flax industry; past and present as well as predictions on the future is discussed. Major changes are highlighted as well as potential future challenges and opportunities. Biosafety work is described that could lay the foundation for the future. A number of high value fatty acids based on flax platforms are illustrated. The impact of biotechnology on the flax industry will occur with or without flax playing a role.

back to list of speakers

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to to

Martin Reaney
University of Saskatchewan - Canada

Dr. Martin Reaney holds a research Chair (the SAF Chair of Lipid Quality and Utilization) at the University of Saskatchewan. The SAF chair is mandated to develop new technology for oilseed processing and producing commercial bioproducts with enhanced value. The ensuing commercial activity resulting from this research is intended to generate wealth for the Canadian agriculture sector. Dr. Reaney works with industry and has worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (1990-2004). He has filed 15 patents of which many are in use by Canadian and US industry. Dr. Reaney's processes are used by industry in commercial production of biodiesel, conjugated linoleic acid, ionic fluid catalysts, feed ingredients, photoprotective compounds, dust control agents, fertilizer solutions, lubricants and fatty acids.

Biodiesel Recipes - with Appetizers
A succulent array of prime technologies for adding zest to the biodiesel industry will be unveiled for the first time. Opportunities for profit abound when biodiesel is augmented with a novel co-product. New catalysts convert biodiesel to nutraceuticals and bioproducts while a simple but elegant treatment gets all of biodiesel lubricity in a useful concentrate. Recipes for enhancing flax, mustard and canola are on tap for the discerning enterprise.

Translation...
Formerly proprietary AAFC technologies for enhancing the value of biodiesel production will be presented for the first time. These new technologies are protected by patent applications and are being made available for licensing by AAFC. Methods to produce new catalysts and value added product streams will be discussed.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

 Stéphane Guilbert
ENSAM-INRA – France
Professor
Supérieure Agronomique Montpellier

Dr. Stéphane Guilbert obtained an engineering degree in Food Science and Technology from "Institut des Sciences de l'Ingénieur de Montpellier", in 1978. In 1980, he obtained his PhD from the University of Montpellier II, focusing his research on "Intermediate Moisture Foods; development and study of water activity lowering agents". In 1985, he obtained a Doctorat d'Etat at the University of Montpellier for his works on "Effect of structure and composition of foods on water and solute activity and mobility".

In the last 10 years, Dr. Guilbert has led more than 40 scientific research projects carried out with major companies and SME. Also, he has collaborated in more than 30 international projects with European Union, USA, Australia or developing countries.

Dr. Guilbert has been a member of numerous national scientific committees and associations, and in the last five years, he has been involved in the organization of eight international scientific congresses. Moreover, he has written several international journals, and is author of more than 140 publications 130 communications and 35 book chapters.

Dr. Guilbert specializes in Food Technology and Process Engineering; water activity, glass transition and mass transport within foods and packaging materials; formulation, processing and properties of "bioplastics" based on thermoplastic proteins such as wheat, corn, soy, cotton seed proteins.

Currently, Dr. Guilbert is Professor in Food Technology and Process Engineering at the ENSAM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier) and Director of the INRA/Agro-M/University of Montpellier 2/CIRAD Joint Research Unit, where he researches "Agropolymers Engineering and Emerging Technologies" (IATE, UMR 1208) (http://www.montpellier.inra.fr/umr-iate). The Joint Research Unit is composed of 50 researchers, and 50 post doc, PhD and post graduate students, technicians and administrative staff.

Protein based plastics and materials: New opportunities for Meal Utilization
Since the 1980’s, research programs and R&D projects on protein-based bioplastics have boomed. This is due to the larger availability of plant protein as co-products of biofuels production (proteaginous cake meal / diester production and wheat or corn gluten meal / bioethanol production).

Meal protein concentrates, wheat gluten meal, and corn gluten meal are rich in protein, inexpensive and widely available. Homogeneous, transparent, strong, water resistant, highly permeable to water vapour, and highly gas selective, protein-based materials have been obtained either by "casting" techniques or by "thermoplastic processing". Depending on the density of hydrogen bond versus covalent bonds (e.g. disulfure bonds), the behaviour of the end products resembles that of thermoplastic or elastomers (rubber-type) materials. It is important to notice that physically induced treatments has similar effects on protein structuration (cross linking degree) than chemically induces ones (e.g. thermal cross linking of wheat gluten matrix can be as important as formaldehyde one). In addition, the activation energy of thermally induced cross linking is strongly reduced when mechanical energy is applied.

Formulation of blends, composites (protein/lipidic compounds, protein/paper, protein/other biopolymers such as PLA as well as proteins/fibres of cotton, sisal, coconut, straw, wood particles), or nanocomposites (protein/nanoclays or nanofillers) have given good test results and could be used to modulate protein based materials mechanical and transport properties.

Meal protein-based materials have lower mechanical properties than reference materials such as low-density polyethylene or plasticized PVC, but the addition of fibres (composite materials) can considerably improve them. The thermoplastic properties of proteins and their water resistance (for insoluble proteins) are especially interesting for natural resin uses to produce particleboard type materials.

The water permeability of protein-based films is very high (water permeability around 5 10-12 mol.m-1.s-1.Pa-1 ) but affected by cross-linking density and material formulation. This high moisture permeability is especially attractive for the design of cheese, fruit and vegetable packaging, and for agricultural material and cosmetic applications. The gas barrier (O2, CO2 and ethylene) properties of protein based materials are highly interesting as they are exceptionally low under low relative humidity conditions. O2 permeability (around 1 amol.m-1.s-1.Pa-1) properties are close to those of EVOH and much lower than those of low density polyethylene. The gas barrier properties are closely dependent on the material structure, relative humidity and temperature. The CO2/O2 selectivity coefficient, which can rise from 3 to more than 50 when the relative humidity increases from 0 to 100% and the temperature rises from 5 to 45°C. This property can be utilized in designing selective or active materials for modified atmosphere packaging of fresh products such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, etc. Solute retention properties (especially antimicrobial and antioxidant agents) have been studied and modeled, thus paving the way for potential applications involving controlled release of beneficial agents (phyto-chemicals, bioactive compounds, …) for food, agriculture (e.g. coated seed), pharmacy (drug delivery) and cosmetic industries.

The environmental performance of wheat gluten materials was conducted following the life cycle analysis methods of the ISO 14040 family. The results were very positive (energy use=10 MJ/ kg and emission of green house gasses=0.72 kg CO2-eq/ kg). Both values are very low compared to starch or PLA based biodegradable polymers.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top
 
David Maenz
Chief Scientific Officer
MCN BioProducts Inc. - Canada

Dr. Maenz received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan in 1984. Dr. Maenz is the author or co-author of 29 full scientific articles and 2 book chapters, and the co-inventor on 7 patent applications. Dr. Maenz is a co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of MCN BioProducts.

Fractionation of the De-oiled Canola and Production of High Valued Canola Protein Concentrates
Current commercial processing of canola generates a valued oil and a low value meal. The protein within the meal is of exceptional value; however, this value is not realized due to the high levels of fiber and antinutritional factors. MCN BioProducts Inc. has developed a proprietary process for the fractionation of de-oiled canola into high valued protein concentrates. Commercial implementation of this process increases the fraction of seed converted to high valued products.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Dwayne Hegedus
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Siegfried Meyer
Founder – MeyerOil, Austria / Member – Austrian Biofuels Institute, Austria.

Siegfried Meyer is a leading member of the Austrian Biofuels Institute in Vienna and the owner of the trading company MeyerOil which has its important role in supplying the Biodiesel industry with appropriate feedstock. MeyerOil today is active in sourcing of rapeseed and rapeoil throughout the EU 25, Ukraine and Russia. The Austrian Biofuels Institute is an international centre of competence for liquid biofuels and was founded in 1995. It maintains a team of presently 52 independent experts from eight countries and four continents. The Austrian Biofuels Institute provides professional support for biodiesel projects, including, feasibility studies and business plans, partner searches, due diligence and second opinion studies, industry surveys, development of fuel standards and quality management programs, research, development, and dissemination.

Key Trends in the Development of Biodiesel Worldwide
Current Biodiesel development in Europe and globally. Perspective on the future relating to feedstock, food versus fuel issues, multifeedstock facilities and Biodiesel 2nd generation. Further more, considerations on process yield, logistics, new crops, feedstock markets, legislation in the EU and quantitative targets for the next few years.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Zenneth Faye
Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. - Canada
Executive Manager

Zenneth Faye has an extensive background in Agriculture which has been a driving force to creating value-added opportunities for producers and rural initiatives, such as inland grain terminals and Bio-based co-products.

In the mid 1980’s, Zenneth was director of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, and one of the key drivers in the establishment of the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, which administers a check-off fund from Canola producers in Saskatchewan. Later, he became the first Chairman on the Board of Directors. The market development area was one of his main interests, promoting the “non-food uses of Canola” to all interested audiences. This marked the beginning of the Bio-diesel “OIL” exploration in Canada.

Zenneth Faye represented canola producers on various federal and provincial committees, such as the Canadian New Uses Council, the Saskatchewan Non Food Uses – Agri-Food Innovation Fund, and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. He was also an advisor to the North East Terminal - a producer owned inland grain terminal - at its early stages of conception and startup. As well, he served on the federal Blue Ribbon Panel of the P.F.R.A., where he developed the document: Prairie landscapes for Western Canada.

Currently, he is the Executive Manager/Project Engineer at Milligan Bio-Tech, the first commercial Canola Bio-diesel plant in Canada. Milligan Bio-Tech is located in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. Before his current position, Zenneth was an advisor/consultant to Bio-diesel projects in Canada, including Milligan Bio-Tech.

Mr. Faye has delivered presentations on Bio-diesel and Non-Food Uses of Canola across Canada, United States, Europe and Australia. He has been at times referred to as 'Mr. Bio-Diesel'. As a result of his efforts in this field, he was honored with a lifetime membership to the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.

Providing Bio-diesel Solutions: ‘The Milligan Model’
Incorporated in 1996, Milligan Bio-Tech is a company that is breaking through the barriers of value-added processing in agricultural communities. Since the mid 90’s, Milligan has been working to develop technology that utilizes local feedstock, and produces a product that is designed for the Canadian environment. Working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Saskatchewan, Milligan began to develop technology for efficient cold press oilseed extraction and bio-diesel production. Milligan’s new cold press technology has the ability to utilize distressed oilseeds from the Prairie region of Canada. Similarly, Milligan’s bio-diesel technology has the ability to adapt to different feedstock, which allows for flexibility in production. Milligan has also spent many years looking at how to add value to bio-diesel, and has developed co-products that replace traditional petroleum based products; Milligan’s Diesel Fuel Conditioner, and BioTec Penetrating Oil are two of the consumer products that are now on the shelves of Canadian Prairie Retailers. This presentation will examine Milligan’s struggle for commercial sustainability through value added research.

Milligan Bio-Tech has been in the Bio-Diesel Industry for over 10 years and through their ongoing research and development, Milligan plans to stay at the forefront of this industry, by producing environmentally friendly and renewable products. Milligan is focused on “providing the industry with Bio-Diesel Solutions”.

back to list of speakers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Panelists

JoAnne Buth
 Canola Council of  Canada

Keith Downey
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Zenneth Faye
Milligan Bio-Tech Inc.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Sponsors
Thank you to all the organizations who are supporting this event!

Gold Sponsors:

Genome Prairie is the leading organization for support and management of large-scale genomics and proteomics research projects in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. With its partners, Genome Prairie has supported more than $120M of research activity in plant, animal and human genomics, bioinformatics, instrumentation development and bioethics since 2000.

Genome Prairie works collaboratively with all levels of government, universities and industry as well as Genome Canada, a not-for-profit organization implementing a national strategy in genomics and proteomics research to benefit all Canadians.
 

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth. AAFC is proud to present the new Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP).

Silver Sponsors:

The Woodbridge Group is a private Canadian company with 64 facilities in 20 countries. We are a global leader in developing and producing polyurethane products for automotive applications such as seat components, structural support, occupant protection, headliner systems and acoustical management. Value added services include engineering, design JIT assembly and supply chain management.

Woodbridge has recently pioneered manufacturing capabilities for the inclusion of polyols derived from renewable resources in all Automotive products we manufacture. This technology is manufacturing ready. Woodbridge and our customers are collaborating on timely commercialization of this unique technology.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sponsorship offerings for the Plant Bio-Industrial Oils Workshop will provide varying levels of recognition and profile to an exclusive audience of key industry stakeholders. Research, industry and government representatives will comprise the delegates for this workshop. YOU decide how best to present your company to the bio-oils industry!

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jazmin Bolaños at 306-668-2659.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Media

We welcome credentialed, working journalists of the general media to attend Plant Bio-Industrial Oils Workshop. Media registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. Public relations executives and consultants, authors, researchers, and editors of trade association publications and newsletters may not register as media.

Conference organizers will review all media registrations for authenticity and have the authority to decline registration of persons who do not meet eligibility criteria. Conference organizers will contact you concerning the status of your registration request.

For media guidelines, interview scheduling, or other information, please contact Darcy Pawlik, Communications Director of Ag-West Bio at 306-668-2656.

Thank you for your interest and participation!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Contact
Ag-West Bio Inc.
101 - 111 Research Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
S7N 3R2
Tel: 306-975-1939
Fax: 306-975-1966
E-mail: agwest@agwest.sk.ca

Visit the Ag-West Bio Inc. website:
www.agwest.sk.ca


Ag-West Bio, at the forefront of Saskatchewan ’s bio-economy, works as a catalyst for partnerships and industry growth through investments, aiding strategic alliances, providing regulatory advice and communications.

Click here to check out previous conferences in this series.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________back to top

Thank you to our sponsors:
------------------------------
GOLD

------------------------------
GOLD

------------------------------
SILVER


---------------------------
BRONZE

------------------------------