Origin Materials marks mechanical completion of Sarnia, Ont., plant

Origin Materials, Inc. announced the mechanical completion of Origin 1, the company’s first commercial manufacturing plant, in-line with the previously disclosed timeline.

As part of mechanical completion, the plant’s critical mechanical systems have been successfully installed and commissioning has begun. Work onsite will continue, including electrical work, adding new equipment, and further refining technology.

“The mechanical completion of Origin 1, our first commercial plant, is an important milestone in our mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials,” said John Bissell, co-founder and co-CEO of Origin Materials. “I’m proud of how our team has executed as we draw closer to commercial production to meet over $9 billion in total customer demand for our carbon-negative materials. What we’ve been able to accomplish to date, despite the pandemic and related supply-chain headwinds, demonstrates the capability, efficiency, and efficacy of our project team. I’d also like to express our gratitude to BioIndustrial Innovation Canada, the Sarnia-Lambton community, Sarnia’s mayor, Mike Bradley, the Honourable Bob Bailey, the Honourable Marilyn Gladu, along with support from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (“SED), for their partnership and support. As we look ahead, we are excited to start up the plant, begin commercial production, deliver product to our customers, and take the next step in our journey to decarbonize the world’s materials.”

Work at the plant continues following this key achievement, with plant commissioning to support start-up anticipated to be complete around the end of Q1 2023 and start-up beginning shortly thereafter. Origin 1 is expected to start to address growing customer demand for the company’s renewable materials and allow customers to qualify products and applications beyond PET. The company expects to provide guidance on revenue, EBITDA, and other financial metrics for full year 2023 on its next earnings call.

Origin 1 is located in Sarnia, Ont. This commercial-scale plant is anticipated to produce sustainable materials including chloromethylfurfural (CMF), which can subsequently be converted into high-performance products used in packaging, textiles, apparel, automotive, and other applications, as well as hydrothermal carbon (HTC). HTC can be used in fuel pellets, as activated carbon, and as a replacement for carbon black. Origin’s patented technology platform can turn the carbon found in sustainable wood residues into useful materials while capturing carbon in the process. The plant is expected to be able to convert an estimated 25,000 dry metric tons of biomass each year into products for a wide range of end markets.

Origin 1 Construction Update, November 2022 from Origin Materials on Vimeo.