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Home > Funding Programs > Bitumen Beyond Combustion (BBC) Program
The BBC program develops technologies to convert oil sands components into non-combustion products, such as carbon fibre, asphalt binder, activated carbon, and other high value carbon materials.
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The BBC program develops technologies that convert Alberta oil sands components into non-combustion products (i.e., products that are not fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil). Examples of BBC products could include carbon fibres, high-quality asphalts, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and controlled-release fertilizers.
The BBC White Paper, linked under ‘Resources’, was prepared by our Clean Resources experts John Zhou, Paolo Bomben, Murray Gray and Bryan Helfenbaum. It lays out how the Alberta oil sands can significantly contribute to achieving net-zero goals and create products that are valued in the world.
The BBC program’s goals are to enhance the value of Alberta’s oil sands through:
The objectives of the program are to:
Due date: Continuous
Clean Resources Continuous Intake Program Guide
Funding is open to all categories of lead applicant including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, individuals and others, who are advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.
Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and be able to clearly demonstrate alignment to the program area priorities.
For full details of eligibility criteria, consult the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Program Guide.
Successful applicants must be legally able to execute the Investment Agreement.
For more details on eligibility and the intake process, consult the Program Guide.
If you have determined that your project meets our criteria, please contact a Project Advisor before submitting your Intake Form.
During the review process, Alberta Innovates leverages internal staff with subject-matter and business expertise and external reviewers to evaluate applications submitted.
Proposed projects will be evaluated against criteria in three major categories: Innovation; Execution; and Impacts. The considerations for each criterion are detailed in the SmartSimple online application form.
Senior Manager, Clean Technology Development
The BBC Program will launch targeted Calls for Proposals, such as the Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge, from time to time. However, even when there is not an active call, the Program is open to proposals on a Continuous Intake basis, like other Clean Resources programs.
Navius Research Inc.
November 1, 2021 – March 10, 2024
Queens University
Solideum
University of Victoria
Carbovate
March 21, 2024
The program develops technologies that convert components of Alberta oil sands into value added products.
February 14, 2024
Study found carbon fibre made from oil sands bitumen has 69 per cent lower emissions than conventional sources
November 8, 2021
Alberta Innovates identifies net-zero options for new bitumen-based advanced materials industry
Clean Technology, Energy, Environment