Dec 8 2009
Pierre Lapointe was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors of ArboraNano, the Canadian Forest NanoProducts Network, on November 16, 2009, in Edmonton, Alberta.
"The appointment of Pierre Lapointe, who is president and chief executive officer of FPInnovations, is a strategic plus for ArboraNano, as it ensures close collaboration between the network and FPInnovations, the organization that has developed a strong leadership position in nanotechnology research related to the forest sector," said Ron Crotogino, President and Chief Executive Officer of ArboraNano.
ArboraNano is a network of multisector businesses, universities and not-for-profit organizations created by FPInnovations and NanoQuébec in 2009. Calling on forest sector and nanotechnology expertise, it is exploring opportunities for innovation of advanced manufactured products that are enhanced through the use of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from wood fibre and other nanomaterials. Its goal is to create a new Canadian bioeconomy based on innovative, highly-engineered, carbon-neutral products containing nanomaterials.
According to Pierre Lapointe, "FPInnovations' scientific research has shown that NCC has remarkable, unique properties. It thus has a very bright future when it comes to the creation of new, ecological, manufactured products. I have therefore agreed to chair the Board of ArboraNano by conviction, in order to contribute to the development of new markets for NCC-based products."
The properties of NCC and the many forms in which it can be made create the potential for its use to enhance the properties of a wide range of products including advanced building products, recyclable structural and interior components for the transportation industry, innovative coatings and fillers for papermaking, novel bioplastics, fibre-reinforced composites, switchable optical films, biocomposites for bone repair, additives for paints/pigments/inks and for cosmetic products, iridescent or magnetic films, electrically conductive membranes, printed paper electronic devices, encapsulated quantum semiconductor crystal dots, and advanced or "intelligent" packaging materials.
"ArboraNano is an exciting new programme that is drawing together many of Canada's leading innovators from industry, government and academia around an area of emerging Canadian technology leadership. The appointment of Mr. Lapointe will help accelerate the development of new markets and products enabled through the effective use of nanocrystalline cellulose and other nanomaterials, both within the wood products sector and across the Canadian manufacturing landscape," added Robert Crawhall, President and Chief Executive Officer of NanoQuébec.
"The creation of new, high-performance, ecological products that generate added value for Canada's high-tech industry is an important aspect of the Canadian government's development strategy. ArboraNano and FPInnovations are both pursuing this objective. Hence, we are very pleased to welcome Mr. Lapointe as chairman of the board of ArboraNano, to facilitate the collaboration between these organizations" concluded Ron Crotogino.