Ecostrat and BMI Group to attract investment to former Canadian mill sites

Ecostrat Inc and the BMI Group have announced a collaboration to use BDO Zone Ratings to prepare BMI's legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation biorefinery investment.

The partnership will apply the ratings framework to advance multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties.

Jordan Solomon, CEO of Ecostrat, said the tool addresses a gap in regional intelligence that has historically slowed investment in Canada's forest communities.

"What is often missing is consistent, investment-grade regional intelligence that helps developers and investors assess where new projects can move with greater confidence," he said. "When that gap is filled, investment often follows, as demonstrated by more than $10 billion in plant announcements in BDO Zones to date."

Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI Group, added that the collaboration would help transform legacy forest-industry assets into next-generation biorefineries.

"Putting wood back to work ensures that every part of the fibre stream supports new products, new industries, and renewed opportunity for forestry communities," he said.

BMI Group has acquired nine former pulp and paper mill sites across Canada with the intention of repurposing them for new industrial uses.

Selected assets will be made available as early candidates for BDO Zone assessment work led by Ecostrat, with the aim of strengthening investment attraction, reducing early-stage development risk and supporting market diversification in Canada's forest regions.

BMI's Bioveld North project in Espanola, Ontario — a former pulp and paper mill site acquired by the company in October 2025 — is being developed as a full-fibre bioproduct hub focused on advanced materials, renewable energy and next-generation fibre manufacturing.

The companies said the collaboration is intended to serve as an early private-sector signal of confidence in the broader use of BDO Zone assessments across Canada, and to encourage government support for market-diversification efforts in its forest regions.