Canadians are moving toward more sustainable options across the supply chain. As industrial facilities move away from fossil fuel sources, Canada’s forest resources have the potential to drive low-carbon economic growth while creating sustainable jobs. The production of renewable bioproducts from low-value woody biomass provides the opportunity to minimize waste in the forest sector while reducing emissions.
Today, Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of $4.9 million for CHAR Technologies Thorold Inc. (CHAR) for a woody-biomass-to-renewable-energy facility in Thorold, Ontario. This amount is in addition to $1.5 million provided by FederalDev Ontario, bringing the total current federal investment for this project to $6.4 million.
CHAR’s Thorold facility will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind solution for converting underutilized woody biomass into valuable bioproducts including biocarbon and renewable natural gas (RNG), which may be used to produce hydrogen in the near future. This will help to displace fossil fuel use for heavy emitters such as steel manufacturers, mining operations and pulp mills to support the decarbonization of Canadian industry.
Support for this project is delivered through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, alongside FedDev Ontario’s Jobs and Growth Fund and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. In addition to the investment from CHAR, the total investment in this project is $27.5 million.
When commercially operational, the facility will divert 75,000 tonnes of woody biomass from being landfilled or burned to simultaneously produce 500,000 gigajoules of RNG and 10,000 tonnes of biocarbon per year.
By providing alternate fuels and diverting mill byproducts from the landfill or burn sites, this project will result in a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 60,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of over 18,000 passenger vehicles off the road.
This investment demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to innovative projects that support a clean, sustainable and competitive forest sector while reducing GHG emissions and fighting climate change.
Quotes
“Congratulations to CHAR Technologies on the development of a novel facility that will help to reduce emissions while creating jobs for Canadians. This facility will help displace fossil fuel combustion while diverting wood waste from being burned or landfilled. This will reduce carbon and methane emissions while contributing to Canada’s ambitious climate goals. The Government of Canada is pleased to support this important work.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources
“Today’s $4.9-million investment is another example of how the Government of Canada is supporting sustainable jobs, innovative technologies and green businesses. This support will help CHAR Technologies Thorold Inc. use wood waste to produce renewable natural gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the decarbonization of Canadian industry. This investment also exhibits the government’s commitment in strengthening the economy in Niagara Centre and its confidence in the Niagara Ports Multimodal Trade Corridor and all of its partners to help achieve expected economic outcomes.”
Vance Badawey
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting companies that are leading the charge on the development of innovative, clean solutions to help Canadians build a greener future for their families. Through investments like the one today for CHAR Technologies Thorold Inc., we are creating skilled jobs and helping to grow the economy toward a cleaner, greener Canadian economy.”
The Honourable Filomena Tassi
Minister of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Thanks to the confidence and support from the governments of Canada and Ontario, CHAR is proud to demonstrate what can be accomplished when industry and governments work together toward a green energy transition. Today represents climate change action in action and is a major win for Canada’s growing bioeconomy as we move toward a net-zero future in collaboration with Ontario’s resilient forestry sector. This facility will position CHAR as a leader in environmentally sustainable, renewable natural gas and biocoal production and will help create a significant competitive advantage for long-term growth. We will continue to divert increasing volumes of wood wastes from landfill and increase the supply of clean, direct, drop-in replacements for fossil fuels.”
Andrew White
Chief Executive Officer, CHAR Technologies Ltd.
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