Federal Government Grants $1.5 Million to Support McGill University Pulp and Paper Research
Montréal, Quebec, December 15, 2004 – On behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and the Minister responsible for Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC), the Honourable
Lucienne Robillard, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced NSERC funding of $1.5 million for two new Industrial Research Chairs in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University.
The industry partner in the initiative is the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada (Paprican). The research aims to improve the papermaking process, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the industry and further reducing its environmental impact.
“Pulp and paper is a vital sector of the Canadian economy. It contributes more than any other industry to Canada’s trade surplus. But to stay competitive, this industry must constantly innovate, and design processes and products that are marketable and environmentally sustainable. These Industrial Research Chairs will provide the foundation of new knowledge that can open doors for us,” said Minister Emerson.
“The partnership between McGill University and Paprican is an excellent example of how Canadian universities and industry are collaborating for the benefit of the economy and society,” added
Minister Robillard.
The federal funding is being provided over five years through NSERC’s Industrial Research Chairs program. Paprican will also contribute $1.5 million in direct funding, along with significant in-kind resources for both the research and the dissemination of results. The chairs will support the training of some 20 master’s and doctoral students.
One of the two new chairs, Dr. Theo van de Ven, will look at the chemistry of paper while the paper is being formed and still wet. “The ‘wet’ end of the process is of growing importance in papermaking due to increased emphasis on recycling and reduction in water usage,” he said. “It’s a field that has direct industrial applications and provides challenging research topics for students.”
The other new Chair, Dr. Derek G. Gray, will examine novel properties and uses of wood pulp fibres. “The goal of our research will be to better understand how the cellulose fibres bond together in paper sheets. We also will work on new value-added products based on the unique properties of the fibres,” he said.
Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC, added, “The new chairs and Paprican are working to build innovative research and training programs that will help Canada take its rightful place as a world leader in pulp and paper research. Their collaboration offers a remarkable research and education opportunity for the participating students.”
For more information, contact:
Martine Perreault
Media and Public Affairs Officer
NSERC
Tel.: (613) 995-8824
E-mail: martine.perreault@nserc.ca
Jennifer Towell
McGill University
Tel.: (514) 398-8585
E-mail: jennifer.towell@mcgill.ca
Theo van de Ven
Department of Chemistry
McGill University
Tel.: (514) 398-6177
E-mail: theo.vandeven@mcgill.ca
Derek G. Gray
Department of Chemistry
McGill University
Tel.: (514) 398-6182
E-mail: derek.gray@mcgill.ca
David McDonald
Vice-President, Research and Education
Paprican
Tel.: (514) 630-4129
E-mail: dmcdonald@paprican.ca
Stéphanie Leblanc
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
Tel.: (613) 995-9001
Isabelle Mignault
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Tel.: (613) 943-1838
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