$110 million on research for Canada’s forest sector

Buoyed by near-record pulp prices, the Canadian forest industry has embarked on a research-and-development program that is being described as second to none in Canada. The Canadian forestry sector has built and is now implementing a strong innovation strategy that includes developing new bio-products from pulp, said Jim Dangerfield, president of the cooperative forest research group FP Innovations.

Dangerfield said in an interview that 12 major forest products research programs are underway valued at $110 million. Much of the money is going into pulp research. He said Industry Canada has pronounced the Canadian forest sector, along with the textile industry, the leaders in Canada in developing and implementing new products and strategies.

Nowhere is that more evident than at Canfor Pulp, B.C.’s largest pulpmaker, where the company has just opened a new facility in Burnaby complete with a mini pulp plant where new bio-products can be researched and efficiencies developed for the company’s three Prince George-area pulp mills. The $2-million-a-year facility is the only in-house pulp research facility in Canada and part of a $12-million-plus research and innovation program Canfor Pulp President Joe Nemeth recently announced.

Source: Tree Frog Daily Forestry News