ICNF 2025 - 7th International Conference on Natural Fibers
Mohini Sain
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Advancement of Natural Fibre Research in the Last 4 Decades - Author’s Perspective.Chair Professor of Ford Motor Canada in Sustainable Materials, and Director of the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing at the University of Toronto, CANADA |
Biography
Professor Mohini Sain, renowned Chair Professor of Ford Motor Canada in Sustainable Materials, is the Director of the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing at the University of Toronto. With expertise in bionanotechnology, sustainable materials engineering, CO2 capture and utilization, and lightweight carbon materials, Dr. Sain is a leader in innovative renewable energy materials and green engineering solutions. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (U.K.) and the Canadian Academy of Engineering, he contributes to transformative research in advanced biomaterials and eco-friendly industrial applications.
For over 20 years, Dr. Sain's groundbreaking work in sustainable materials for the automotive sector earned him the Ford Motor Canada Chair. Known for launching the “Biocar Initiative,” he has been featured as one of Toronto Life’s "World-Changing Ideas." His impactful research in biocomposites, nanocellulose materials, and functional carbon applications has led to over 750 publications and extensive recognition, including the North American Entrepreneurship Award, Plastic Innovation Award, and KALEV PUGI Award. As one of the most-cited researchers in materials science, his Google Scholar citations exceeded 2,700 in 2019 alone, underscoring his influence in sustainable materials research.
Professor Sain’s entrepreneurial impact includes founding several start-ups—such as Greencore Composites Inc., Nature’s Affinity Inc., and GreenNano Technologies Inc.—focused on sustainable materials commercialization. With more than 50 successful technology transfers, he has collaborated with industry leaders like Ford Motor, TOTAL North America, and Hutchinson Canada to drive innovations in biomedical devices, eco-friendly packaging, flexible electronics, and advanced building and transportation materials. Notably, he was a Carbon XPrize finalist for his work on CO2 conversion into lightweight nanocellulose composites.
A pioneer in bio-based PPE technology, Professor Sain played a key role in COVID-19 initiatives, including N95 mask recycling in partnership with Ford and Airbus. His expertise is further reflected in his authorship of the world’s first book on cellulose nanocomposites, co-editing additional volumes on advanced nanobiomaterials and enzyme-based biological materials. As a consultant and strategic advisor to nearly 100 global companies, Dr. Sain influences global policy and standardization in green materials engineering.
A champion of sustainable innovation, Dr. Sain co-founded the Canadian Natural Composites Council, the Ontario BioAuto Council, and the Ontario-Jianshu Nano-Innovation Centre. His efforts have catalyzed the growth of the global wood-plastic composites (WPC) industry into a $5 billion market, demonstrating his vision for a sustainable future. Professor Sain’s contributions make him an influential figure for ICNF2025, advancing global discourse on biocomposites and sustainable materials in engineering and environmental sectors.
Abstract
TBA.