Wednesday 23 November 2016

Ontario Pledges $4.5 Million For Bio-Refinery Pilot Plant


In August, the Ontario government made its intentions clear about investing $4.5 million into a bio-refinery pilot plant with the aim to produce eco-friendly products in the area of Thunder Bay.
Pilot Plant
Pilot Plant

The financial aid will allow FP Innovations to set up a pilot plant, which will aid in producing green chemicals from wood to be used in the construction and mining industries, thereby replacing petroleum-based chemicals. Government officials believe that this financial investment will give Ontario's forestry sector the boost it needs to create jobs for the residents of Thunder Bay.

When the project hits the ground running, it will help Ontario’s pulp and paper industry to become more sustainable and profitable. How can they achieve it? By making the big shift from newsprint to the use of other products, said Pedram Fatehi, the industrial research chair in green chemicals and processes at Lakehead University.

Fatehi was quick to point out that the paper industry has been struggling because newsprint was their major product. He added that the consumption of newsprint is very low at the moment. Therefore, they want to do their best to convert the current process into something that will be more profitable and sustainable. If this plan comes into fruition, it will definitely be a win-win for everyone involved.

The proposed pilot plant will be set up at Thunder Bay plant of Resolute Forest Products, which has also pledged an addition amount of $3.5 million for the project.According to media reports, the new plant will help with mass production and the commercialization of green bio-chemicals that have been derived from wood





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