Research summary
The bioeconomy, or bio-based economy, involves using renewable biological resources sustainably to produce food, energy and industrial goods. It also involves using the energy stored within biological waste. As Canada Research Chair in Valorization of Non-Edible Biomass Residues Into High-Value Platform Chemicals and Functional Materials, Dr. Marie-Josée Dumont aims to support the development of Canada’s bioeconomy.
The goal of her research is to convert biomass residues into high-value chemicals and functional materials. To achieve this, Dumont and her research team are maximizing the selectivity and production yields of platform chemicals through continuous processing and using recyclable catalytic systems. They are also synthesizing new functional polymers from bio-based platform chemicals that mimic or may even outperform their petroleum-based counterparts. By supporting Canada’s bio-based economy, their goal is to find ways to reduce greenhouse gases.