About — Biolin Research Inc.

Founder & Principal Researcher

Alvin Ulrich

Alvin Ulrich has dedicated more than three decades to advancing flax research in Saskatchewan. As founder of Biolin Research Inc., he has developed the agronomic knowledge, variety performance data, and processing protocols required to establish a viable flax fiber industry on the Prairies.

His work spans the full value chain — from field agronomy and variety trials to fiber processing, end-use characterization, and market development — making him Saskatchewan's most experienced flax fiber researcher.

"The Black Soil Zone has everything needed to supply a world-class flax fiber industry. The science is proven. Now it's time to scale."

Areas of Expertise

Six Decades of Flax Knowledge

Flax Agronomy

Seeding rates, variety selection, input management, and crop rotation strategies for fiber flax production in Saskatchewan's Black Soil Zone.

Variety Development

Breeding and performance evaluation of fiber flax varieties suited to Prairie growing conditions, with emphasis on straw yield and fiber quality.

Fiber Processing

Retting, breaking, scutching, and hackling methods adapted for Prairie conditions and small-to-medium scale processing operations.

Market Development

Identifying and qualifying commercial end-uses for Saskatchewan-grown flax fiber, seed, and shive across industrial, textile, and biomedical sectors.

Crop Economics

Pro forma budget development and economic modelling for fiber flax production, demonstrating competitive returns against canola and other Prairie crops.

Indigenous Partnerships

Building relationships with First Nations communities in the Black Soil Zone to create economic opportunities through the Fiberbelt initiative.

Industry Memberships

Professional Affiliations

North American Linen Association (NALA) — Board Member Prairie Fibreshed Network American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) — D13.17 Bast Fibers and Plants

Research Activities

Past and Current

Fiber flax variety trials across multiple Saskatchewan soil zones
Dew retting and weathering protocols
Pro forma economic modelling for Fiberbelt farmers
First Nations community outreach and agricultural planning
End-use testing and qualification for long-line and tow fibers and for shive
Partnerships with post-secondary institutions on fiber characterization
Building, buying, modifying, and using lab and commercial-scale equipment to process flax straw, fiber, and shive in various ways for a wide range of end uses
Making connections and helping researchers, processors, and growers who are, or would like to, develop, grow, process, use, or research the properties of flax straw, fiber, and shive

Saskatchewan's Flax Fiber Expert

Alvin Ulrich

Six Decades of Flax Knowledge

Professional Affiliations

Past and Current

Stay Informed