Investing in Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry R&D

Global Perspectives

Rob WellwoodAlberta Research Council

Forest Products Business Unit

Alberta Research Council

Alberta Research Council

Develop and help deploy innovative science and technology solutions

for the benefit of Alberta.

Alberta Research Council

• Technology development and commercialization company

• Work in all areas of Alberta’s economy

• Owned by the Government of Alberta

− Oil and Gas − Heavy Oil− Pharmaceuticals − Materials− Sensors − Environment− Forest Products − Agriculture

Forest Products

Wood-based Composites

Agrifibre Utilization

Pulping & Paper

Cellulose & Hemicelluloses

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Cellulose Based Water Soluble Polymers:Some of the applications…

Construction materials

Textile industry

Cosmetics

DetergentsFoodstuffs

Oilfield industry

Paints and coatings

EngineeringPolymerization

Water soluble cellulosic polymer

Paper making

ARC Cellulose ProgramStart from high purity celluloseMake cellulose soluble and processable by modificationFunctionalize it for specific applications

– Associations– Rheology control– Suspensions

With partners develop applications for specific markets– ARCell 932 for Enhanced Oil Recovery– Cel-U-Fect for Gene Delivery

ApplicationsUnique thickener technology

– Oilfield chemicals– Functional fluids– Paints and coatings

Environmental– Water treatment

Industrial materials– Ceramic additives– Lubricants

Wood fiber compositesPlastic compositesAgricultural

Thank You…