Innovation and commercialisation in the Canadian bioproducts industry

Industrial biotechnology is an emerging industry in which firms are developing novel alternatives to petroleum-based goods. Canadian-based firms have an opportunity to capitalise on the availability of biomass from Canadian agriculture and Canada’s broad resource base. However, complexity of the product development process coupled with immaturity of this industry means little is currently known about these firms, their innovation activities and decision making. This study uses data from the 2003 and 2006 bioproduct development surveys to examine the Canadian bioproducts industry, focusing on factors conducive to innovative activity for bioproduct producing firms. Several factors are important in facilitating innovation, such as intellectual property, collaborations, focus on bioproducts relative to other business activities, the dominant product type and region in which the firm operates.