National Research Council / Iogen Corporation

FPTT Technology Transfer Award

National Research Council /
Iogen Corporation

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Successful design, development, transfer and commercialization of advanced xylanase enzymes for pulp bleaching applications

Wing Sung
Institute for Biological Sciences, NRC

Makoto Yaguchi
Institute for Biological Sciences, NRC

Jeffrey Tolan
Iogen Corporation

Theresa White
Iogen Corporation

A winning combination of the National Research Council (NRC) and Iogen Corp., a privately held company, produced an industrial enzyme that significantly reduces both environmental pollution and the cost associated with the production of bleached pulp. The new enzyme, with improved temperature and pH stability, can effectively function in the typical process environment of most pulp mills. The beneficiaries of the collaboration between public and private sectors are widespread. Now into development of second-generation products with NRC, Iogen Corp. has expanded its enzyme business, with construction of a new fermentation facility and the addition of 10 jobs, bringing its staff to 65 employees. On the environmental front, Iogen's xylanase enzymes reduce the use of chlorine or chlorine dioxide as a bleaching agent in pulp production and subsequently decrease the amount of the pollutant, organochlorine, discharged into Canadian waterways by as much as 100 tonnes a year. As a result, Iogen's pulp manufacturing clients are able to expand into new markets by meeting local regulatory requirements. Use of the cost-effective and environmentally friendly product has saved Canadian pulp mills approximately $500,000 in annual operating costs per mill. Success of the collaboration has led to a second project with the NRC with the objective of developing glycosidase enzymes to use in animal feed, recycled paper, detergent and renewable fuels, which will lead to reduced environmental impact and operating costs.

Sponsored by:
Smart & Biggar