Wednesday, 18 April 2012 12:30

CelluForce's nanotechnology scientist awarded 2012 Doug Purvis Memorial

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Dr. Richard Berry honoured by award from the Society of Chemical Industry

CelluForce’s , Richard Berry PhD, a leader in the development of NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC) is honoured today with the 2012 Doug Purvis Memorial award by the Society of Chemical Industry at the SCI Canada Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Toronto.

Dr. Berry is recognized for his contribution in the industrial development of NanoCrystalline Cellulose, a recyclable, non-toxic and renewable material extracted from trees. ‘’It is an honour to receive this recognition for work that has been done by remarkable teams at FPInnovations, Domtar and now CelluForce’’, says Dr. Berry.While at FP Innovations, he developed significant pulping technology in the elimination of dioxins, high-temperature peroxide bleaching, aldehyde-enhanced bleaching and more recently neutral bleaching.

Dr. Berry’s initiatives in the past four years helped to convince industrial and Government stakeholders of the huge industrial potential of NCC and have allowed Canada to take NCC research in university and industry laboratories to industrial and commercial reality. This has positioned Quebec and Canada as world leaders in the development of this new nanotechnology and emerging industry.

He now has moved to CelluForce – the joint venture of Domtar Inc and FPInnovations, where he is working to ensure the technical and business success of the demonstration plant which has a capacity of 1 tonne per day.

The Purvis Memorial Awards honors Canadians in academia or an industry, based on chemisty, who have significantly strengthened their sector or an institution that industry relies upon. The chemical industry embraces traditional chemical companies focusing on chemical manufacture and distribution, but also industries such as coatings, crop protection, environmental services, food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic fibres and pulp and paper.

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