Arbios Biotech, a joint venture between technology leader Licella and forest products company Canfor, has successfully completed the construction of Chuntoh Ghuna, the world’s largest hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) facility, in Prince George, British Columbia.
The facility uses Licella’s patented Cat-HTRTM technology to convert 25,000 dry tonnes of wood residue biomass into 50,000 barrels of bio-oil annually, with plans for future expansion to double its capacity.
The plant, named Chuntoh Ghuna—meaning "the forest lives" in the Dakelh language—was developed in partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and represents a step towards creating a circular bioeconomy. The facility will produce renewable bio-oil that can be refined into sustainable transportation fuels, particularly for the aviation and marine sectors.
Rune Gjessing, CEO of Arbios Biotech, emphasized that this facility sets a new benchmark in biofuel production and provides a blueprint for similar projects globally. "We are creating a renewable resource from low-value residues, transforming them into valuable bio-oil,” he said.
The project has received significant support from the Government of British Columbia, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and Natural Resources Canada. The collaboration with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation highlights the facility’s focus on long-term environmental sustainability and the positive impact of Indigenous partnerships.
With operations set to begin in 2025, the Chuntoh Ghuna facility will play a key role in advancing low-carbon biofuel technologies and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also contributes to the local economy, creating jobs and fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Arbios Biotech’s leadership in this field, supported by its partnership with Canfor, underscores the growing global shift toward sustainable energy, positioning the company as a trailblazer in renewable biofuel production.