The Ontario government is investing more than C$2.1 million in four forest-sector projects intended to expand exports, modernize production and develop new uses for forest biomass.
The largest allocation will provide more than C$1.9 million to Ben Hokum and Son, a sawmill in Golden Lake, through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program. The company will install two biomass-assisted steam kilns that are expected to triple its lumber-drying capacity and improve operating efficiency.
According to the province, the project could increase the company’s export sales by more than 30%, while protecting 115 direct jobs and supporting over 100 indirect positions.
Ben Hokum and Son, established in 1956, produces more than 40 million board feet of white and red pine lumber annually.
Three additional biomass projects
Ontario is also supporting three additional projects through its Forest Biomass Program, including a second project at Ben Hokum and Son. Together, the projects have the long-term potential to use more than 350,000 tonnes of forest biomass annually.
Ben Hokum and Son will receive an additional C$100,000 to plan a biomass-powered electricity and thermal energy facility incorporating carbon capture and storage. The proposed system is intended to produce net-negative emissions.
TorchLight Bioresources will receive C$87,500 to study the feasibility of a combined heat and power plant in Petawawa. The proposed facility would replace natural gas with energy generated from forest biomass.
Carboform will receive C$62,500 to optimize technology that converts forest biomass residues into lower-carbon coatings and inks. The company conducts research and development at the SpinUp incubator on the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus.
Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland said the funding is intended to help Ontario forest companies expand their international reach and bring more competitive products to market.
Supporting sector diversification
The investments form part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector, a 10-year strategy focused on strengthening competitiveness, developing new forest products and expanding access to international markets.
The province says its Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program has approved nearly C$90 million in funding, helping secure another C$420 million in external investment. The Forest Biomass Program has committed more than C$66 million to over 60 projects.
Ontario’s forest sector generates close to C$21 billion in annual business revenue and supports approximately 155,000 jobs, according to provincial figures.
The funding package combines near-term sawmill modernization with longer-term bioenergy and bioproduct development, as Ontario seeks to expand markets for forest products and create higher-value uses for underutilized wood fibre.
