The government of Ontario in Canada has announced more than CA\$6.2 million (€5.7 million) in new investments through its Forest Biomass Program, backing eight initiatives focused on research, innovation and industrial modernisation across Northwestern Ontario.
The latest round of funding aims to support sustainable harvesting from Crown forests, stimulate regional economic development and unlock new commercial uses for forest biomass – the underutilised by-products of wood processing and sawmilling.
It follows earlier investment announcements made in May and July by Kevin Holland, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products.
The largest allocation – CA\$5 million (€4.6 million) – has been awarded to the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bioeconomy (CRIBE) in Thunder Bay.
The funding will support CRIBE’s “Growing Ontario: Sustainable Wood-Based Materials for the Future” initiative, which aims to develop and commercialise new bioproducts to drive growth in Ontario’s forest sector.
Several Indigenous-led projects are also receiving support under the Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships stream.
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation) is receiving CA\$250,000 (€229,000) to advance a district heating system by assessing local biomass supply and purchasing fuel conversion equipment.
Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. (Hurkett) is also receiving CA\$250,000 to develop a biomass storage and merchandising yard to serve as a regional biohub.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (Big Trout Lake) is receiving CA\$249,544 (€228,500) to build community forestry capacity through training, equipment acquisition and a 10-year operational plan.
Pikangikum First Nation is receiving CA\$160,996 (€147,500) to train community members and develop a long-term forest management strategy.
Three additional projects are being funded under the Exploring Biomass Pathways stream.
White River Forest Products (White River) is receiving CA\$130,000 (€119,200) to explore replacing its on-site boiler with a pyrolysis energy system capable of producing biochar and biocoal.
Biopower (Atikokan) is receiving CA\$100,000 (€91,600) to assess the potential of forest biomass as a feedstock for renewable diesel production; and Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper is receiving CA\$87,750 (€80,400) to study technology upgrades to its boiler, fibre recovery and sludge processing systems.
Since its launch in May 2023, the Forest Biomass Program has committed over CA\$45 million (€41.2 million) to more than 55 projects, signalling a long-term push to accelerate biomass innovation and sustainable growth in Ontario’s forest sector.
Ontario funds CA$6.2 million forest biomass innovation push in Northwest
