Biotechnologies

BioFuelNet Canada

Clémence Fandoux | 18 janvier 2021

BioFuelNet Canada is a non-profit organization that supports biofuels research. The network is composed of biofuels research and industrial, governmental, and investment communities. They contribute to the advancement of the biofuels industry while focusing on non-food biomass as a biofuel feedstock. 

Why use biofuels? 

Our consumption of fossil fuels has changed the global carbon cycle and new environmental concerns are emerging: ground contamination, earthquakes, and global warming. Our displacements and consumption of energy represent a major part of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Thus, producing energy with biofuels composed of plant material or other feedstocks that are renewable instead of traditional fuels contributes to the achievement of sustainable development objectives of Quebec.


Hydro, nuclear, photovoltaic solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and bio-solar power are resources for green energies. Moreover, a variety of materials or feedstocks can be used to make biofuels by using :

  • Direct combustion to make biomass;
  • Fermentation or gasification to make ethanol and cellulosic ethanol;
  • Transesterification to make biodiesel;
  • Fast-pyrolysis to make bio-oil;
  • Direct extraction of plant oil to produce hydrogen;
  • Biogas purification to produce biomethane.


Thus, biofuels provide energy security which is the most constant supply that is available and affordable for consumers and the industry. They also support economic development by creating more jobs and new sources of income for farmers. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced and finally, biofuels can help improve energy balance: the plants are used to produce biofuel in replacement of imported crude oil and then to reduce the importation of it.

BioÉnergie Québec

According to the declaration of December 8, 2017, in favor of bioenergy published by the network of BioFuelNet Canada, the organization is developing BioÉnergie Québec as a program to make bioenergy an energy pillar. Indeed, because of the vast interest in bioenergy in Quebec, this program will help decarbonize sectors such as transportation and large greenhouse gas emitters. 


Along with hydroelectricity and fossil natural gas, the development of bioenergies can :

  • Help the Government of Quebec achieve its climate objectives for 2030 and 2050 and those of its Energy Policy;
  • Create inclusive jobs with various skill levels in all regions of Quebec;
  • Quickly start the decarbonization of heavy transportation, in conjunction with energy efficiency measures and electrification;
  • Replace fossil fuels with bioenergy in large greenhouse gas emitters such as mining and industrial sites. Major projects are made more sustainable to stimulate the Quebec economy, such as the Northern Plan by integrating the use of bioenergy, for example, from Quebec residues;
  • Ensure the social acceptability of the energy transition;
  • Make Québec a global leader in bioenergy and greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies.

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