The funding will support biomass supply chains, export growth and new uses for underused wood and mill residues.
The Ontario government is investing more than $3m in initiatives to expand markets for forest biomass and strengthen supply chains across the province’s forest sector.
The funding will support five projects, including new biomass energy facilities, technology that converts wood residues into coatings and inks, and a programme to connect privately owned forests with businesses seeking biomass.
More than $2.1m has been allocated to four projects through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Programme and the Forest Biomass Programme.
The largest share, more than $1.9m, will go to Ben Hokum and Son to install two biomass-assisted steam kilns. The investment is expected to triple the company’s lumber-drying capacity, improve efficiency and increase export sales by more than 30%.
Ben Hokum and Son will receive a further $100,000 to plan a biomass-powered facility that would generate electricity and thermal energy. The proposed facility would incorporate carbon capture and storage technology, with the goal of achieving net-negative emissions.
Ontario is also providing $87,500 to TorchLight Bioresources for a feasibility study into a combined heat and power plant in Petawawa. The proposed project would replace natural gas with energy generated from forest biomass.
Carboform will receive $62,500 to further develop technology that converts forest biomass residues into low-carbon coatings and inks.
Together, the three biomass projects have the long-term potential to use more than 350,000 tonnes of forest biomass a year, according to the provincial government.
A separate investment of $865,000 will support the Ontario Woodlot Association in improving the management of privately owned forests and developing new supply chains for underused wood and mill by-products.
Of this, $790,000 from the Forest Biomass Programme will support the association’s Wood Stewardship Programme, including the creation of three jobs and the purchase of equipment.
The programme will establish three regional networks linking landowners, forestry service providers and forest-sector businesses. It is expected to use up to 100,000 cubic m of forest biomass over five years.
The biomass could be used in value-added products including biochar, compost and mulch. Additional revenue from underused wood could also help landowners offset the costs of forest management.
The remaining $75,000 will support workshops, conferences, publications and collaboration to promote sustainable forest management on private land. The funding will also help develop an inventory of private forests using remote-sensing technology.
The investments form part of Ontario’s 10-year Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, which aims to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness, support innovation and develop new markets for Ontario-made forest products.
“Our government is helping forest sector businesses build international reach and bring competitive products to market,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “Under our forest sector roadmap, we’re driving the industry’s continued growth and showcasing Ontario’s capacity as a G7 leader in innovative manufacturing.”
Ontario’s forest sector generates close to $21bn in business revenue and supports nearly 155,000 jobs, according to the provincial government.
