GOLDEN LAKE — The Ontario government is investing over $2.1 million in four projects to increase forest sector competitiveness and drive innovative uses for mill by-products and underused wood known as forest biomass. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and build a competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, these investments will position the forest sector to unlock new markets, bolster supply chains and protect good-paying jobs.
“Our government is helping forest sector businesses build international reach and bring competitive products to market,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “Under our forest sector roadmap, we’re driving the industry’s continued growth and showcasing Ontario’s capacity as a G7 leader in innovative manufacturing.”
Associate Minister Holland made the announcement at Ben Hokum and Son, which is receiving over $1.9 million to install two biomass-assisted steam kilns that will triple lumber drying capacity, improve efficiency and increase the sawmill’s competitive advantage. The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program funding will equip the company to boost export sales by over 30 per cent, building the presence of Ontario-made forest products in global markets while protecting 115 jobs and supporting over 100 indirect jobs.
Under the Forest Biomass Program, the government is also investing in three other projects with the long-term potential to use over 350,000 tonnes of forest biomass each year:
Ben Hokum and Son ($100,000) to plan a biomass-powered clean electricity and thermal energy facility that will use carbon capture and storage to produce net-negative emissions
TorchLight Bioresources ($87,500) to complete a feasibility study for a combined heat and power plant in Petawawa that would replace natural gas with biomass-generated energy.
Carboform ($62,500) to optimize and refine technology which uses forest biomass residues to produce high-value and low-carbon coatings and inks.
These investments are delivering on the Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, the government’s plan to Defend, Adapt and Grow the province’s cornerstone industry. Guided by the roadmap, the government will continue making strategic investments to protect and create good-paying jobs in forestry, empower the industry to develop and manufacture new forest products and position Ontario to lead in the global forest bioeconomy.
Quick Facts
*Ben Hokum and Son Limited (BHSL) was established in 1956 and produces over 40 million board feet of white and red pine lumber each year. Ontario’s support for the cogeneration facility builds on a previous $119,735 Forest Biomass Program investment, which helped BHSL conduct an initial investigation regarding the potential of local biomass as a clean energy source.
*TorchLight Bioresources is a bioenergy firm providing decarbonization strategies, system design, planning and project development. The government previously invested $100,000 in TorchLight’s biomass plant feasibility study at the Northcrest Downsview Airport Lands.
*Carboform is a clean technology company with research and development operations at the SpinUp incubator on the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus.
*The government released the Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector on April 28, setting out a 10-year plan to maintain Ontario’s position as a G7 leader in making and selling wood products, with the competitive excellence and transformative technologies to unlock new global markets.
*The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program has approved close to $90 million in funding to reinforce forest sector productivity, securing an added $420 million in external investments, creating close to 500 new jobs and helping to retain another 3,800 jobs.
*The Forest Biomass Program has committed over $66 million in targeted investments to more than 60 projects, securing close to $250 million in additional external funding and creating more than 110 new jobs.
*The forest sector is an essential industry, generating close to $21 billion in business revenue and supporting close to 155,000 jobs.
Wood produced from Ontario’s Crown forests is sustainably sourced and renewable. Wood is a renewable resource, a clean energy source, and a sustainable – and biodegradable – alternative to single-use plastics.
Quotes
“The forestry sector has helped shape the Ottawa Valley for generations, and its history is woven into the fabric of our communities. These investments mark the next chapter in that story. Through continued support for the Forest Biomass Program and the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, our government is helping local forestry companies create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen their competitiveness in the global marketplace. I want to thank Minister Holland and the Ontario government for their continued commitment to Ontario’s forestry sector and to the workers and businesses that are the backbone of our local economy.”
– Billy Denault
MPP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
“We appreciate the Ontario government’s support as we continue investing in our company, our workers and our regional supply chain. These projects will allow us to increase the amount of export-ready lumber we produce, continue expanding our international markets and make better use of our forest resources, strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Ben Hokum and Son and Ontario’s forest sector.”
– Dean Felhaber
President, Ben Hokum and Son Limited
“We are very grateful to the Ministry of Natural Resources for its support through the Forest Biomass Program. This investment will allow Carboform to accelerate the development and testing of new ingredients made from Ontario wood residues for use in paints and coatings. By working with forest-products companies and coatings manufacturers, we hope to create new, higher-value uses for forest biomass while helping meet the growing demand for renewable and lower-carbon materials. We are excited to contribute to the continued growth and innovation of Ontario’s forest sector.”
– Sneha Shanbhag
Co-founder and CEO, Carboform Inc.
“Forests are Ontario’s most valuable publicly-owned asset. TorchLight is working diligently to advance low risk bioenergy projects to serve as essential demand centres for low-grade wood, thereby supporting sustainable forest management of Ontario’s Crown forests. Ontario is home to more than 50 district heating systems that can be readily fuel switched from imported natural gas to combined heat and power plants fuelled by made-in-Ontario, sustainable, low carbon wood fuels.”
– Jamie Stephen
Managing Director, TorchLight Bioresources Inc.
“Regional biomass projects, such as the one that Ben Hokum’s Mill is planning, will create a long term market for low grade fibre, provide power and heat for the mill and renewable base load electricity for the grid.”
– James Brose
Mayor of North Algona Wilberforce
“Today’s announcement underscores the tremendous potential of forest biomass to decarbonize operations, generate clean energy, and create high-value bioproducts from underutilized wood. By supporting innovative clean-tech projects alongside sawmill modernization, Ontario is strengthening the entire forestry supply chain. OFIA thanks the government for continuing to invest in transformative technologies that ensure our sector remains competitive and resilient.”
– Ian Dunn, R.P.F.
President & CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association
Additional Resources
Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector
Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program
Forest Biomass Program
Media Contacts
Rebecca Petch
Associate Minister’s Office
Rebecca.Petch@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Services Branch
MediaDesk.MNRF@ontario.ca