Systems

De-risking the supply chain: Salvage harvesting for wood-based bioenergy

Salvage feedstock is particularly suitable for the bioenergy sector since the moisture content drops rapidly after disturbance. Photo by Jesse Seniunas.

April 12, 2019 - With the most biomass per capita in the world, and 6.5 per cent of the world’s theoretical bioenergy potential, Canada is well positioned to play an increasing role in the future of global bioenergy and the emerging bioeconomy. However, the economic and environmental benefits of replacing fossil fuels with wood-based bioenergy are complex, and debates are ongoing on issues such as environmental sustainability of biomass procurement, profitability of supply chains and carbon neutrality.

CO2 Solutions starts up carbon capture unit at Saint-Félicien

The Serres Toundra greenhouse facility adjacent to the Resolute pulp mill will receive the carbon captured from the CO2 Solutions unit.

March 15, 2019 - A CO2 capture unit installed by CO2 Solutions Inc. has started commissioning at a Resolute Forest Products pulp mill in Saint-Félicien, Quebec.

SMU researcher studying purpose-grown biomass crops

March 6, 2019 - Research into how poor-quality, marginal land can be used to produce biomass as a potential revenue stream for farmers underway at Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia received $1.2 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience program and the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub Fund.

BC salvage firewood company doubles production

Daniel Francoeur, owner and operator of Comox Valley Firewood, in the new Bell’s Machining 4000 Series firewood processor.

March 1, 2019 - With the recent release of a new climate change report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, many in the industry might be wondering what they can do to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Registration opens for Canada North Resources Expo 2019

Feb. 20, 2019 - The Canada North Resources Expo is preparing for its big return to the CN Centre in Prince George, B.C. on May 24 and 25. The biennial trade event focuses on major resource sectors vital to Northern Canada’s economy, including forestry and heavy construction. Visitor registration is now open for this key trade event.

New product offers end-to-end ecosystem for supply chain management

Jan. 11, 2019 - Trimble today released its Connected Forest Xchange (CFX) and Connected Forest Business (CFB) as core solutions to provide the global forestry industry with an end-to-end ecosystem for supply chain management, trading partner collaboration and financial settlement. CFX and CFB are integral to Trimble's Connected Forest initiative to provide solutions to manage the full raw materials lifecycle of planning, planting, growing, harvesting, transporting and processing.

Chinese imports of hardwood chips reaches record highs: WRQ

Jan. 7, 2019 - In the 3Q/18, Chinese importation of hardwood chips reached a record high, and Vietnam substantially increased its shipment as compared to 2017, reports Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). While the average import price has only increased slightly in the past year, Australian prices have gone up substantially from the end of 2017.

DEMO 2020 prep underway outside of Ottawa

The DEMO 2020 advisory committee at the demo site with the Low mayor and fire chief. Local support for the event is high.

Nov. 5, 2018 – The industry advisory committee helping to organize DEMO International 2020 got its first peek at the active logging site just north of Ottawa/Gatineau, and early indicators are very positive.

Mobile app accelerates European bioeconomy through big data

Oct. 25, 2018 - VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Finnish Forest Centre and MHG Systems Oy have developed a mobile application to efficiently use forest data.

BC First Nations communities to benefit from forestry agreement

Sept. 12, 2018 - People in the Cowichan Lake communities and Pacheedaht First Nation will benefit from a unique community forest agreement for the Qala:yit [Kwah-LIE-it] Community Forest, reached in partnership with the provincial government.

Ottawa to fund First Nation forestry management in Nova Scotia

Sept. 10, 2018 - The federal government is funding a Mi'kmaw forestry approach that will help Mi'kmaq communities incorporate traditional knowledge, data and values into a strategic forest management plan for their land.

Business opportunities in the log sort yard

Aug. 24, 2018 - As the Canadian wood recycling industry expands, one industry sector for which members are providing exceptional new closed-loop diversionary wood and solid waste material recycling services, is the Canadian logging industry — log sort yard sector.

New tool forecasts availability of agricultural biomass in Europe

Aug. 7, 2018 - Biomass is quickly becoming a sought-after resource as an alternative to fossil fuels, chemicals and energy in the bioeconomy. Having recognised the potential of agricultural and forestry waste for commercial use, the Rehap project has recently developed a unique tool that can forecast their future availability

Scientists identify enzyme to breakdown biomass 30x faster

Imperial scientists altered the glucosidase enzyme.

July 6, 2018 - Imperial scientists have enhanced the process of using biology to make products such as fuels, plastics, medicines, and cosmetics. This could lead to cheaper and more environmentally friendly biofuel production and more efficient plastic recycling.

Breakdown breakthrough: NREL finds easier ways to deconstruct biomass

Roman Brunecky (left), Yannick Bomble, and Melvin Tucker discuss the deacetylation and mechanical refining process developed at NREL to soften biomass.

May 30, 2018 - If there's an easier, more efficient method, science will find a way. That's certainly the case in producing cellulosic biofuels, which, at least for now, requires a two-step process to free the sugars trapped in plant matter and convert them into something else. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) think that's one step too many.

Energy options for heavy industries under Canada’s carbon pricing policy

May 10, 2018 - Canada’s heavy industries are notorious for being the biggest emitters of carbon in Canada. With a price of carbon being tagged onto emissions, these heavy industries are finding ways to reduce emissions. Despite the government narrative about fossil fuel use reduction, there is no perfect substitute to fossil fuel for heavy industries like steel, cement, mining and insulation manufacturing.

Veolia launches online marketplace for organic resources in the UK

April 23, 2018 - As part of the drive to increase the circular economy global resource management company, Veolia is launching an online trading platform that makes it easier to sell and buy organic resources. Designed to save users time and money, BioTrading will provide businesses the opportunity to better leverage the 100 million tonnes of raw materials and biofuels we produce every year.

Growing Canada's new field of dreams

Robynne Anderson is a member of the Bioenterprise board of directors and President of Emerging ag.

Feb. 12, 2018 - Canada has always been an agricultural powerhouse, but these days it’s not just about selling prairie wheat, P.E.I. potatoes and maple syrup to the world. Now we’re also building bio-cars from ag-based fibres, composites and foams. We’re creating naturally derived pharmaceuticals and functional foods that help fight disease. We’re cutting carbon emissions by finding valuable uses for agricultural wastes, and we’re boosting agricultural productivity in all kinds of ways.

FPInnovations outlines best practices for utilizing forest harvest residue

Feb. 7, 2018 - FPInnovations has released a special guidebook outlining best management practices for integrated harvest operations in British Columbia.

Enviva’s newest Track & Trace data confirm sustained forest growth

Jan. 25, 2018 - Enviva, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets, today released its latest Track & Trace sourcing data, marking one year of public reporting and two years of tracking the company’s sustainable sourcing practices. These data are a key tool used to measure, maintain and validate the Enviva’s sustainability practices throughout the Southeastern United States.