Quesnel River Pulp facility
QUESNEL – West Fraser Mills Ltd. will receive over $449,000 in funding from the provincial and federal government’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program for two studies at its Quesnel mill.
Employees at West Fraser Mills Ltd. are currently conducting two studies, with the first taking place at the Quesnel River Pulp facility to explore market opportunities for Propel, a plastic bio-composite made from cellulose that has the potential to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics. The study will support efforts to identify market opportunities for fibre-based bio-composites.
The second, a collaboration with the City of Quesnel, will evaluate the feasibility of a district heating system using recovery of excess heat discharged from the Cariboo Pulp and Paper Mill. The recovered heat would help eliminate the use of fossil fuels for heating while
The funding was announced at the 20th Annual BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George in January. IFIT-funded projects such as these are contributing to the further diversification and enhanced sustainability of the forest sector and to the development of the Canadian economy through high-value bioproducts. The projects led by West Fraser Mills Ltd. showcase the economic and environmental opportunities presented by the deployment of innovative technology that reduces waste and lowers emissions.
“The IFIT program helps enable businesses like ours to test new technologies and concepts that can lead to climate-friendly solutions,” says Keith Carter, Senior Vice President, West Fraser Mills Ltd. “We are excited about both of these projects and their potential to deliver significant environmental benefits.”
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, states “Canada’s forest sector is a key part of our low-carbon economic future. Through the development, deployment and adoption of innovative new products and practices such as those announced today, we can help support a more competitive, dynamic and sustainable forest sector that will continue to support good jobs right across Canada.”
By Mark MacDonald
