Forest biomass is the main target of a funding announcement in Timmins by associate provincial forestry minister Kevin Holland.
Biomass is the unused portion of wood that’s often left in the forest, including sawdust and wood chips.
A program launched in 2023 has granted more than $30-million to about 40 projects, including the $11.3-million for five projects in the northeast this time around.
“Under this strategy, developed in partnership with the forest industry, municipalities and Indigenous communities, our ministry aims to promote stewardship and responsibility, put more wood to work, improve cost competitiveness and foster innovation, markets and talent,” Holland told a small crowd that included the mayors of Timmins, Elk Lake, Hearst, Kapuskasing and Iroquois Falls.
Biomass can be used for everything from producing electricity to fertilizer and other products for other industries.
“The opportunities that exist with biomass right now is tremendous and is an opportunity that our government is committed to to make sure that we maximize the benefits of,” the minister stated.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
- Hornepayne Power Inc., who are receiving $7,500,000 to increase regional energy production by modernizing and upgrading power generation equipment. The funding will also support research into on-site green hydrogen production.
- GreenFirst Forest Products Inc., who are receiving nearly $3 million to boost productivity, cut costs and improve product quality by upgrading the company’s biomass cogeneration plant, and an additional $130,000 to research the use of mill by-products for torrefied pellets, a green alternative to coal.
- Circular Carbon Canada Inc., who are receiving $500,000 to study northeast sawmills as potential sites for pyrolysis plants, which use forest biomass to produce biochar, which is a substance used in power generation, soil amendment and water filtration.
- Wikwemikong Development Commission, who are receiving $200,000 to support the development of a combined wood pellet and biocoal facility by assisting with permitting, contracting, business development and community engagement
