Kang Kang, PhD, P.Eng
Research Associate Professor
Biorefining Research Institute (BRI) and Department of Chemical Engineering (Lakehead University)
Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario stand at a pivotal moment in their economic and social development. Historically, the region thrived as a center of forestry, pulp, and paper production. However, global market pressures, mill closures, and the decline of commodity pulp exports have threatened the economic vitality of the region. At the same time, new opportunities have emerged: the next-generation bioeconomy — using renewable forest biomass to produce clean energy, sustainable fuels, advanced functional materials (catalysts, battery components, etc.), and green value-added chemicals
