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Zenneth Faye, P. Eng.

Executive Manager, Milligan Bio-Tech Inc.
Foam Lake, SK, Canada

The Business of Building a Biorefinery

Tuesday, September 14, 2010
11:30 - Noon

Abstract:  Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. has always been a forward-thinking company and developer. Starting a Bio Refinery from concept in 1991, the company has built its reputation on product quality and added value.

This presentation will look at the struggles of commercialization: from the concept stage, to research, to scale up, to optimization, and finally to production. Highlighting the growing pains associated with being the first bio-refinery in a new industry this discussion will broach challenges it has faced and continues to face regarding policy, standards, regulations, and more. At times making one ask the question “Is it really worth it”?

Essentially, you will hear in detail, the good, the bad, and the ugly of Milligan Bio-Tech’s commercialization developments.

Biography

Zenneth was raised on the family farm near West Bend, SK in the Parkland Region of the province. He received his Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Following his graduation he was employed by John Deere Canada Ltd. as an Agricultural Engineer working in the agricultural division across Canada and the United States.

Zenneth and his wife Cindy returned to the family farm full time in 1978 where he started a small manufacturing business designing and building cattle handling and feeding apparatus. The farming operation consists of direct seeding crops such as spring wheat, winter wheat, oats, barley, flax, peas, triticale, canola, and alfalfa for hay and occasionally experimenting with lentils, buckwheat, sunola, soybeans, and corn. Aside from cropping they also run a 100 cow commercial herd of beef cattle. Having this extensive background of agriculture has been the main driving force to creating value added production for producers and rural initiatives, like inland grain terminals and bio-based co-products.

Zenneth became a director of the Sask. Canola Growers Association in the mid 1980’s, during which time he worked on various committees, one of which was to establish the Sask. Canola Development Commission that administers a check-off fund from canola producers in Saskatchewan. He was appointed to the board and became the first chairman. He then served for three terms on the Commission in various capacities, including the market development area where he promoted “non-food uses of canola” to whoever would listen. This is where the start of bio-diesel “OIL” exploration began in Canada. While on the Board of the Commission, he also served on various positions with the Canola Council of Canada such as Vice-Chair of Market Development committee. He represented Canola producers on other federal and provincial committees, such as: Vice-chair of the Canadian New Uses Council and Co-chaired the Sask. Non Food Uses section of the Agri-Food Innovation Fund. Zenneth then became Western Vice-President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

Zenneth’s other accomplishments include;
• Advisor to the NorthEast Terminal, a producer owned inland grain terminal, at its early stages of conception and startup.
• Serving on the federal Blue Ribbon Panel of the P.F.R.A. developing the document ‘Prairie Landscapes for Western Canada’
• Advisor/consultant to bio-diesel projects in Canada for Milligan Bio-Tech, of Foam Lake, SK, that was the first commercial Canola bio-diesel plant in Canada. He is now the Executive Manager / Project Engineer of the Company.
• Presentations on bio-diesel and Non-Food Uses of Canola to audiences across Canada, United States, Europe and Australia earning him the honour of sometimes being referred to as Mr. Bio-Diesel.
• Honoured with a life time membership to the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.


Click to view Zenneth Faye's ABIC 2010 presentation