Systems

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.

Lignin technology receives $3M grant for commercialization

Jan. 15, 2018 - Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services and innovative technology company, announced today the award of a US$3 million grant from the USDA to support the commercialization of patented and patent-pending lignin conversion and refining technologies owned by Meridian’s subsidiary, Attis Innovations, Inc. Attis Innovations is the combination of recent transactions with American Science and Technology Corp. and Advanced Lignin Biocomposites LLC.

Tolko and Splatsin further partnership with letter of intent

Jan. 12, 2018 - Tolko Industries and Splatsin, the southern-most community of the 17 that make up the Secwepemc Nation, have further strengthened their long-standing relationship with the signing of a letter of intent (LOI).

Demo days target corn stover producers in southern Ontario

Oct. 19, 2017 - The Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative is calling on corn stover producers to attend ‘Field Demo Days’ taking place in three communities across Ontario in November.

Small communities driving bioeconomy in northern Ontario

Oct. 17, 2017 - First Nations and small municipalities are spearheading the development of the bioeconomy in northern Ontario, according to Dawn Lambe, executive director of Biomass North Development.

US NEWBio project concludes, advances biomass energy efforts

NEWBio researchers worked to develop new variations of bioenergy crops through multiple methods including hand pollination of willow.

Sept. 12, 2017 - The land stretching between New England and the Ohio River is a critical region dominated by agriculture and forests, but also hosts four of the largest metropolises in the nation with rapidly increasing demand for sustainable energy. With countless rural communities suffering decades of decline, the economic, social and ecological potential for biomass energy is greater than ever.

Paper explores risks in cellulosic biofuel development and operations

Sept. 11, 2017 - There has been an increasing interest in cellulosic biofuels. However, developers are struggling to control development and operational risks. This makes it difficult for companies to attract financing. Understanding what risks should be prioritized in the planning stages of a project is highly important.