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Forest Innovation & Bioeconomy Conference 2025 coming to Vancouver

The Forest Innovation & Bioeconomy Conference (FIBC 2025) returns May 6 to 8, 2025, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, bringing together industry, researchers, policymakers, investors, and First Nations leaders to explore the future of forest sector innovation. Hosted by the B.C. Ministry of Forests, the University of British Columbia’s BioProducts Institute, and Foresight Canada, this international event will focus on forest product innovation, diversification, and the commercialization of high value bioproducts.

Key highlights

• Lab-to-Market: The Pathway to Commercialization – Breakthrough research and transitions into large-scale bio-based solutions, covering challenges like securing investment, navigating regulatory approvals, and scaling production.
• Horizon Europe and Canada Collaboration – With Canada now an associated country in Horizon Europe, new funding and collaboration opportunities are emerging for Canadian universities, startups, and the forestry industry. European researchers will share how to leverage these partnerships.
• Europe Bioeconomy Cluster Development – Leading European bioeconomy clusters will showcase how international cooperation can accelerate bioproduct adoption and bio-based manufacturing.
• B.C.’s Forest Bioeconomy and Sector Diversification – Industry leaders will explore how B.C. can strengthen its bioeconomy and position itself as a global hub for high-value bioproducts.
• Business to Business Matchmaking – Designed to build connections between bioproduct start-ups, investors and other potential partners to identify and support mutually beneficial business opportunities.

Featured speakers
The speaker lineup includes top industry leaders and researchers shaping the future of the bioeconomy:

• Dr. Orlando J. Rojas, UBC BioProducts Institute – Advancing biomaterials research.
• Mark Newman, R&D Director, Unilever UK – Sustainable packaging innovations.
• Bill Adams, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mercer International Inc.,-Mercer’s lignin valorization.
• Elicia Maine, Associate Vice-President, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation (AVPKMI) and Professor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Canada-Strengthening Canada’s Forestry and BioEconomy innovation ecosystem.
• Juha Salmela, CTO, Spinnova, Finland – Wood-based textile fibre development.
• Joshua Henry, CEO, Timber HP, USA – Innovations in wood fibre insulation.
• Sang-young Lee, Professor, Yonsei University, South Korea – CNF applications in energy storage.
• Alina Ruonala-Lindgren, Co-creation Manager, VTT Technical Research Centre, Finland – VTT’s Innovations in Biomaterials and the Power of Partnerships.
• Dr. Lukas Bichler, UBC Okanagan CleanTech Hub – Synthetic graphite from forestry residuals.
• Lars Sandberg, CEO, Blue Ocean Closures, Sweden – Fiber-based alternatives to fossil plastics.

And more…

Networking and sponsorship opportunities
FIBC 2025 will offer exclusive networking and matchmaking sessions, allowing attendees to connect directly with investors, policymakers and industry leaders. Sponsorship packages provide premium visibility, including exhibition tables, speaking opportunities and brand placements. Companies looking to position themselves at the forefront of sustainable innovation are encouraged to explore sponsorship options.

Register now
Early Bird Registration – Save by registering early by March 31, 2025.
Showcase your brand and support the conference. Email us at fibc2025@gov.bc.ca for opportunities.
For more details, visit www.fibc2025.ca.

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