Catalyst for innovation from forest to bio-based products (CIFPROB-FRQ)

CATALYST FOR INNOVATION FROM FOREST TO BIO-BASED PRODUCTS (CIFPROB FRQ):

A new Quebec network to strengthen the province’s forest bioeconomy and support climate change adaptation

Forests are essential to the people of Quebec—for their ecological, recreational, cultural, and economic value. However, climate change threatens their stability. Several impacts are already being observed and are expected to intensify in the future. The growth and survival of tree species, as well as the volume and quality of marketable wood, could be affected, along with the carbon sequestration potential of the forestry sector. More frequent and intense disturbances are also anticipated, such as insect outbreaks, droughts, and forest fires. These issues are likely to cause significant economic losses for the forestry industry due to a decline in fiber quality, a decrease in the value of its product mix, and increased supply costs—prompting the need to adapt forest management practices.

To address these threats, several large-scale research initiatives in Canada are focusing on carbon sequestration in forests and wood products (AccFor), forecasting and monitoring forest impacts, and enhancing forest biodiversity (DIVERSE) as adaptation strategies. Another promising approach to increasing the resilience of the forest sector is the development of new bio-based products. The diversity of potential forest-derived bioproducts represents an opportunity to adapt the industry to the consequences of climate change while also helping reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Examples of high-potential bioproducts include wood-fiber-based insulating foams, textiles, lignin-derived bioadhesives, and biocarbon/biochar made from processing residues. These products can replace fossil-based alternatives and thereby contribute to climate change mitigation.

It is in this context that the Catalyst for Innovation from Forest to Bio-Based Products (CIFPROB FRQ) was established in May 2025 with the support of the Fonds de recherche du Québec. CIFPROB FRQ’s mission is to bring together stakeholders from across the wood products value chain to foster innovation and diversification in the forest and bio-based products sectors—generating economic, social, and environmental benefits in Quebec’s regions and contributing to the sector’s adaptation to climate change.

The CIFPROB FRQ includes 13 researchers from 8 CCTT (College Centers for the Transfer of Technologies)—Biopterre, CERFO, CEDFOB, CGQ, Innofibre, Inovem, Serex, and CIRADD—as well as 4 university professors from UQAT, UQTR, UQAC, and Université Laval. These experts specialize in forestry, forest management, silviculture, wood processing, bio-based products, social innovation, and sustainable development.

The network also includes key partners from the forest bioeconomy ecosystem and regional communities in Quebec: the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Industrial Bioprocesses in Quebec (CRIBIQ), which has over 230 members; Signature Bois Laurentides (SBL), with more than 50 members; the Société de développement économique ilnu de Mashteuiatsh (SDEI); the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation (MMBC) of Gesgapegiag; Innovation et développement économique Trois-Rivières (IDETR); and Les Jardins forestiers de l’Ours Alpha (JFOA).

To fulfill its mission, CIFPROB FRQ has set several objectives and a six-axis program (see diagram).

Now launching its activities, the group aims to align with existing initiatives to effectively coordinate efforts in building a strong and resilient forest bioeconomy. A key objective of CIFPROB FRQ is to integrate new companies involved in the value chain and attract more domain experts.

CIFPROB FRQ invites interested parties to contact the group’s coordinator,

Nathalie Bourdeau, researcher at Innofibre, for more information: nathalie.bourdeau@cegeptr.qc.ca