The Biorefining Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) is a $7 million CAD (2017) facility funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, BC Knowledge Development Fund, Pacific Economic Development Canada, and UBC that enables researchers to develop new technologies and bioproducts at an industrially relevant scale. It houses advanced biomass processing reactors, lab and office space for graduate students, and a growing suite of specialized analytical equipment to assess current systems by-products and develop new value-added bioproducts. The BRIC building is next to, but a separate facility from the Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility (BRDF) and continues to access BRDF system by-products for use in experiments.

The BRIC research program is led by faculty members from the Faculties of Applied Science and Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, and explores a wide range of topics, including gasification, pyrolysis, and chemical conversion of biomass into new biofuels and bioproducts. Since the facility’s completion, BRIC researchers have successfully produced biochar, bio-oil, and syngas for use in other industrial processes. BRIC enables UBC researchers to study biochemical and thermochemical pathways for transforming the production waste from sawmills and forestry practices into fuels, chemicals, and products that offer more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products. BRIC researchers are also collaborating with the BRDF operational team to analyze the GHG emissions profiles of novel fuel sources —demonstrating the integration of operations and applied research.

Learn more about BRIC.