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Lambton College Recognized with National Award for Research Collaboration with Origin Materials
SARNIA, November 8, 2024 – Research & Innovation at Lambton College has been honoured with a national award on behalf of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The Synergy Awards for Innovation, presented Wednesday, November 6 in Ottawa as part of the annual NSERC Prizes, celebrate outstanding research partnerships between academic institutions and industry partners across various sectors. The awards recognize collaborations that create meaningful impact and drive positive change, enriching Canada’s post-secondary institutions and delivering tangible benefits to Canadians.
Lambton College Research & Innovation was recognized in the College Partnerships category for their impactful collaboration with Origin Materials on groundbreaking research to optimize the production of chloromethylfurfural (CMF), a sustainable material with broad applications across multiple industries.
The nomination was submitted courtesy of Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC), recognizing the importance of the longstanding partnership between the two organizations.
The award-winning project focuses on CMF—a sustainable, plant-based compound which can be used to produce recyclable plastic bottles and other products that combat climate change. Origin Materials, a leader in sustainable materials production based in West Sacramento, California, selected Lambton College’s Bioindustrial Process Research Centre (BPRC) to support their vision of a renewable, bio-based future by optimizing their oxidation pilot plant in Sarnia-Lambton. This pilot plant has laid the groundwork for Origin’s commercial-scale CMF production facility, Origin 1, which began operations in October 2023.
Lambton College is committed to fostering innovative partnerships that drive economic growth and environmental sustainability, and our collaboration with Origin Materials exemplifies this mission,” said Rob Kardas, President & CEO of Lambton College. Being recognized with the Synergy Award for Innovation speaks to Mehdi’s continued leadership in this area and the quality of the work being done by our staff, faculty and students. It also reinforces the power of academic-industry partnerships in providing applied research support to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are essential to expanding Canada’s bio-industrial sector and advancing our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Colleges play a critical role in supporting industry technology development and commercialization by providing research infrastructure and specialized expertise. The partnership with Origin Materials is one example of how Lambton College supports industry R&D goals, benefiting not only industry partners but also Lambton College students and researchers who gain hands-on experience in real-world innovation. Furthermore, collaborations like this support local communities and beyond by generating economic growth through job creation, new revenue streams, and investment.
To learn more about Research & Innovation at Lambton College including funding opportunities, past and current projects, or to inquire about partnership opportunities, visit lambtoncollege.ca/research.