The federal government has given $750,000 to the Winnipeg based Composites Innovation Centre.


The money will be used to further ongoing research into bio-materials and bio-fibres.


The fibres, made from flax and hemp straw, may one day replace glass and carbon fibres in composite materials used in buses and aircraft.


Executive Director Sean McKay notes, since the Centre launched in 2003, more than 20 projects have been completed, and nearly two dozen more and currently underway.


McKay adds, even with all of the research being conducted, it may still be two years before bio-fibre can be widely commercialized.