History

In 1998, NRCan initiated the Value-Added Program, a four year program aiming to enhance the competitiveness of the value-added wood industry.  The Program provided $1 million per year to Forintek Canada Corp. to conduct value-added wood product research.  Complementary to provincially run technology transfer programs, the program was guided by a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) consisting of federal and provincial industry and government representatives.  Building on the Value-Added Program, in May 2002, the Government of Canada announced an expansion of the Program, renamed the Value-Added Research Initiative (later renamed the Value to Wood Program). 

In 2007, the federal government renewed the Value to Wood Program to continue to facilitate the productivity and competitiveness of Canada's value-added wood sector by funding needs-based research, and providing advisory services to industry.  The program currently funds research at the University of New Brunswick, Laval University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and FPInnovations.  Through a network of Industry Advisors across the country, the program transfers the results of the research to manufacturers and provides direct technical advice.

Successes

Value to Wood has demonstrated results for the secondary wood products industry.  An independent audit of the program found, for example, that research projects on the performance of fingerjointing and I-Joists resulted in new and improved products, new process standards, and a product quality guide/handbook.  This resulted in an estimated economic impact of over $10 million annually to the finger jointing and I-joist manufacturing sector. 

Another research project identified the most effective durable factory applied finishes for wood siding and other wood products exposed to the weather.  As a result, firms manufacturing wood siding for exterior cladding have adjusted their choice of finishes and finishing processes to improve durability based on this research.  Lastly, two projects (by UBC and FPInnovations) on the integrated protection of structural composites for exterior exposure have helped manufacturers of glulam to improve the coatings used to reduce delamination and improve long term performance.  These are but a few examples of how the Value to Wood Program is supporting industry through applied research:  look through our research projects to discover research pertinent to your company.

To help transfer the research results to industry, FPInnovations manages a network of Industry Advisors across the country.  This network has grown significantly from 14 Industry Advisors in 2002, to 36 in 2008, and over the years has worked on hundreds of projects with value-added manufacturers.  Contact us to find out how an Industry Advisor can help your company, or submit your question online.

(Several areas of this website are password protected:  please register to gain access to exclusive program information.)