For Rod Albers, Manager of Bioproduct Development for West Fraser, the secular decline in printing and writing grades has pushed his company to take a strong look at what opportunities exist for its feedstock.
In discussing with PaperAdvance during PaperWeek 2016, Albers noted that energy generation and lignin extraction are two such opportunities, and with the support of FPInnovations, West Fraser is working on a new venture in the latter.
"We have gone through the building and constructing phases, we've run water through the plant, so we know the technology for moving water around is there. We will be adding liquor this year." Albers also noted the company will be its own "first customer" with plans to consume roughly 10-20% of its own feedstock, but that the search is on for new partners to develop applications with.
View the interview conducted by our journalist Mark Williamson at the conference:
For more information on PaperWeek Canada: www.paperweekcanada.ca
