Industry News News
West Fraser receives $6.1M to build pulp mill waste recovery plant

The Vancouver-based company will receive $6.1 million to build the plant, courtesy of funding provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources. B.C.’s Minister of National Revenue, Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, made the announcement on March 16.

In addition to the West Fraser Mills project, nine other clean energy projects across the province will be given funding, for a total investment of $27.3 million over the 10 projects. The projects will be funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan investment in Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s (SDTC) SD Tech Fund.

“West Fraser is proud to be the recipient of SDTC funding in support of the world’s first commercial demonstration LignoForce System lignin recovery plant,” said Ted Seraphim, president and CEO for West Fraser Mills Ltd. “Working with FPInnovations and NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd, the project will use Canadian-developed proprietary technology and will also explore opportunities for the use of extracted lignin in new, marketable higher value products. This process is innovative in our industry and we are excited to explore new markets and commercial opportunities for this novel, renewable bioproduct. It further reinforces the competitiveness of our operations and supports rewarding careers in our business.”

Other companies receiving funding for clean technology projects include:

• BBCP Conductor Inc. in Richmond, which will receive $3,660,000 to develop a way to add nanotubes to aluminum wires;
• David Bromley Engineering in Burnaby, which will receive $3,225,000 towards the development of a new system for filtering wastewater;
• Carbon Engineering Ltd. will receive $3,000,000 to conduct a demonstration project in Squamish, testing its new technology for extracting carbon dioxide from the air, which could then be used to produce ultra-low carbon fuels as well as for enhanced oil recovery;
• ZincNyx Energy Solutions in Vancouver will receive $2,900,000 towards developing a battery that runs on zinc and air that could augment, or even displace, diesel generation in a power grid;
• Saltworks Technologies Inc. in Vancouver will receive $2,500,000 for developing two processes for treating water that could cut electricity consumption and reduce chemicals used in the oil sands;
• Switch Materials Inc. in Burnaby will receive $2,500,000 towards creating a new glazing for car windows that reduces the need for air-conditioning;
• Terramera Inc. in Vancouver will receive $1,985,000 to develop a Neem-oil based pesticide with extended shelf life;
• Polymer Research Technologies in Vancouver will receive $1,116,826 to demonstrate its technology that converts waste polyurethane foam into a petroleum-based product called polyol that can be re-used in other products; and
• Unit Electrical Engineering Ltd in Okanagan Falls will receive $344,217 together with its consortium, to build lighter, more efficient drivetrains for mass transit systems.