Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith, MPP Kevin Holland, and President of the Thunder Bay Pulp & Paper Kent Ramsay
The Government of Ontario is investing more than $9.4 million in 14 research, innovation, and modernization initiatives to develop economic potential and environmental benefits of new and emerging uses of underutilized wood and mill by-products, collectively known as forest biomass.
Forest biomass is used in everything from food additives to building materials. It also has many emerging uses, including renewable natural gas, bioplastics, and hydrogen–responsible alternatives to carbon-intensive products.
The funding is coming through the second phase of funding under the new Forest Biomass Program.
“Our Forest Biomass Program has delivered dozens of critical investments to launch the future of Ontario’s forest sector,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith. “Today’s investment continues that progress, with targeted funding that will create jobs, strengthen communities, and redefine our forestry sector in Ontario.”
Of the $9.4 million investment, over half, or $5 million will be going to the Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Mill. The mill will use the investment for upgraded and improved equipment to modernize the mill’s electrical system, enabling future measures to expand green energy production, reduce emissions, and increase forest biomass usage.
The remaining $4.4 million has been divided between 13 other projects in three categories listed below:
Modernization funding stream:
- Biopower Sustainable Energy Corp. (Atikokan) – $997,500
- Whitesand First Nation (Thunder Bay) – $1,289,573
- FPInnovations (Thunder Bay) – $250,000
- Rutter Urban Forestry (Thunder Bay) – $245,000
Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships funding stream:
- Cat Lake First Nation (Sioux Lookout) – $250,000
- Jason Mattson 2538745 Ontario Ltd. (Atikokan) – $250,000
- True North Trucking (Thunder Bay) – $250,000
- Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation (Nipigon) – $250,000
- Lac Seul First Nation (Sioux Lookout) – $237,280
- Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. (Nipigon) – $200,000
Exploring Biomass Pathways funding stream
- FPInnovations (Thunder Bay) – $100,000
- Greenmantle Forest Inc. (Thunder Bay) – $62,500
- Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) – $32,000
This is the second phase of Forest Biomass Program funding. The first phase was announced in December 2023. Through the program, Ontario is investing $19.6 million in projects to increase the use of the province’s forest resources while developing new technologies, improving productivity, and providing environmental benefits.
For more details on how each company is utilizing their funding click here.
