Sector Highlight:

A bioproducts industry depends on ingenuity. Which depends on clever people.

The commercial results of our bioproducts are extremely diverse—biofuel produced from marine algae to replace the use of hydrocarbons; agricultural growth enhancers produced from seaweed; cellulose-based biochemicals extracted from wood waste that can be used for textile industries; specialty crop production to produce omega-3s for the natural foods market; pharmaceutical ingredients isolated from lobster and other shellfish processing waste. But a singular theme uniting these various successes is our people.

Is it boasting to claim that Halifax has more than its fair share of inventive and intelligent people? Perhaps. But the fact is, our people—among other factors—are cited again and again as a reason for our city’s success. When Dr. Shalabh Gupta, of California-based biopharmaceutical company, Biocycive, was asked why the company chose Halifax for its R&D headquarters, he said, “One of the foremost reasons is to have access to some very highly talented people. That includes Dalhousie University, which is a great centre of scientific research.” We’re blushing.

Our bioproducts industry is based on research excellence.

BioNova - leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector, including bioproducts.

Dalhousie University - one of Canada's leading research  institutions  with more than 50 research chairs.

The National Research Council (NRC) - with over 120 scientists, technicians, and support staff, NRC focuses on R&D in marine biosciences, biotechnology, and more.

Perennia  Innovation Centre  - a not-for-profit corporation with the mission to help farmers, fishermen and food processors be prosperous and profitable. 

Bioproducts companies thrive in Halifax.

DSM Nutritional Products
Advocates for healthy, enjoyable, and accessible food and nutrition solutions, respecting the limits of our planet. DSM is one of the world’s leading producers of essential nutrients like vitamins, carotenoids, nutraceuticals and nutritional lipids; as well as solutions for the feed, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.

Acadian Seaplants Limited
The world’s largest independent manufacturer of marine plant products and is exporting to more than eighty countries. The advanced methods used to harvest seaweeds as a sustainable, renewable resource and the technologies created to process the natural seaweed resources into value-added finished products for sale in international markets.

SabrTech
SabrTech is using microalgae, harvested from Nova Scotia’s shoreline, to design the next generation of biofuel, animal feed, and bioremediation needs. The company has partnered with Nova Scotia Community College and Acadia University to complete prototyping and optimize production of their algal biomass in a real-world setting.

In Halifax, we foster bioproduct development with investment.

Companies in Halifax benefit from a variety of financial incentives including the Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate, Atlantic Innovation Fund, Industrial Research Assistance Program, Innovation Equity Tax Credit, and many more.

Contact Discover Halifax to learn more!

Ready to learn more, or to start planning your event in Halifax?  Contact our sector expert today.