Connect to the world
Priorities:
- Organize financing partnership missions to Europe and Asia to secure
funding for bioenergy projects
- Coordinate with Trade Commissioners to maximize the quality of
technology trade missions to Europe
- Secure travel support funding from Department of Foreigh Affairs and
International Trade for mission participants
- Facilitate business to business exchanges to open markets
- Match Members with overseas investors, project partners, and
equipment
Technology Mission in Koli, Finland (February)
Canbio led a delegation of 26 Canadians from four provinces and one territory to the Wood Energy Solutions conference and study tour in North Karelia, Finland.The Federal Government's Global Opportunities for Associations program provided travel support to companies interested in attending the event and Finland's Wood Energy Network supported the mission by developing the tour itinerary. In addition to the conference itself, a number of operating fa
cilities were toured including the Fortrum heat and power plant which generates 50 MW of power and provides heating for Joensuu's 70,000 citizens.
Fluidized bed gasifier technology is being used in these Finnish facilities.
See extract from Spring 2011 edition of Bioenergy Now.
Financing Mission in Asia (June 8-14)
The firs
t venue was in Seoul, Korea (June 9 - 11)- The delegation participated in ENVEX 2011, a green energy event organized by KEPA that drew over 1,000 overseas buyers. Ten small-to-mid-sized Canadian companies presented 20 investment opportunities to 53 Korean investors resulting in over 40 business-to-business meetings that may yield $500 million in investment and significant job creation in regions that are depressed by difficult conditions in the forest products industry in Canada. The Korean leg of the of the mission concluded with a special reception sponsored by KEPA, and the Government of British Columbia.
The second venue held in Beijing, China (June 12-14)- Eighty-one (81) local companies attended the event yielding over 80 business-to-business meetings. China has a new focus on renewable energy in its new five-year Energy Plan, including a target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. Demand for Canadian biofuels and bioenergy technology is sure to increase significantly; Chinese companies are thus extremely interested in new Canadian technologies, and in investing in bioenergy projects in Canada.
Read more details in extract from our Fall edition of Bioenergy Now.
Financing Mission in Berlin, Germany (June 6 – 8) 
CanBio led a delegation to the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (European BC&E). For over 30 years, the European BC&E has combined a renowned international scientific conference with an industrial exhibition.
Ten Canadian participants presented their projects to 25 investors and stakeholders at a special business-to-business session in Berlin, Germany. The projects ranged from small to large scale, including biorefineries from canola oilseeds, pyrolysis and char from wood residues. During the session, a "bio-trade equity fund" was proposed that would invest not only in biomass conversion plants but also associated supply chain investments.
To complete the mission, the Canadian Embassy sponsored a Canada Biomass Buisness Breakfast to promote Canada as an investment destination and to provide further networking opportunities. Presentations were made to an audience of about 60 international companies, and research organizations.
The mission succeeded in increasing awareness of Canada's investment opportunities and sustainability record.
Read more details in extract from our Fall edition of Bioenergy Now.
More missions are being planned for 2012; for all upcoming events, click here.