Background

In the spirit of the aims of the Quebec strategy on research and innovation, the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade (MDEIE) has included in its program of support for technology transfer and utilization a segment intended to develop support for industrial research clusters in key sectors.

In response to the creation of this segment, the CQVB (Centre québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies) submitted a business plan to the MDEIE in December 2008 proposing a research cluster dedicated to stimulating and financing the development of novel, high-performance bioprocesses in the province of Quebec. In April of 2009, the MDEIE approved the creation of the Quebec industrial bioprocess research consortium or CRIBIQ, for which financing totaling $4,741,828 has been granted for a period of three years.

A board of directors composed primarily of industrial partners was then created, followed by the signature of the agreement between CRIBIQ and the MDEIE as well as the contract for services binding CRIBIQ to the CQVB, which led to the launching of the first research program of the consortium in June 2009.

Mission 

Le Consortium de recherche et innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ) seeks to stimulate and finance the development of effective innovative bioprocesses in the Province of Quebec, and this, by facilitating collaboration between industrial partners and research institutions.

Lines of research

In establishing its research program, CRIBIQ has adopted an inclusive approach and a broad definition of bioprocesses. Research projects financed by CRIBIQ may thus focus on manufacturing processes using biotechnologies, conversion of biomass into saleable products or upgrading and treatment of wastes. Research along any of the following lines is therefore welcomed:

• Bio-fermentation
• Bioprocess engineering
• Bio-catalysis / Bioconversion
• Genomics / Proteomics / Bioinformatics
• Metabolic engineering
• Extraction and purification of bio-ingredients
• Bio-filtration
• Biomass processing