GOLDEN LAKE – The Ontario government is putting more than $2.1 million into four projects designed to grow markets for forest products from Ontario, enhance the use of forest biomass, and strengthen the forestry supply chain.
The announcement was made Wednesday at Ben Hokum and Son Limited in Golden Lake, where Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland revealed over $1.9 million in provincial funding for the company.
This funding will enable Ben Hokum and Son to set up two biomass-assisted steam kilns, which will triple its lumber-drying capacity, boost efficiency, and enhance its competitiveness in international markets.
The province anticipates that this project will raise the company’s export sales by more than 30 percent while safeguarding 115 jobs and supporting over 100 indirect jobs.
“Our government is helping forest sector businesses build international reach and bring competitive products to market,” said Holland. “Under our forest sector roadmap, we’re driving the industry’s continued growth and showcasing Ontario’s capacity as a G7 leader in innovative manufacturing.”
This announcement is part of Ontario’s Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program as well as the Forest Biomass Program.
The province is also backing three additional projects with potential uses exceeding 350,000 tonnes of forest biomass annually.
Ben Hokum and Son will receive $100,000 to plan a biomass-powered clean electricity and thermal energy facility that would utilize carbon capture and storage technology to create net-negative emissions.
Torch Light Bioresources is getting $87,500 for a feasibility study regarding a combined heat and power plant in Petawawa that would substitute natural gas with energy produced from biomass.
Carboform has been granted $62,500 to improve technology that utilizes forest biomass residues to produce high-value, low-carbon coatings and inks.
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault noted that these investments emphasize how vital forestry is to the Ottawa Valley region.
“The forestry sector has helped shape the Ottawa Valley for generations, and its history is woven into the fabric of our communities,” Denault said. “These investments mark the next chapter in that story. Through continued support for the Forest Biomass Program and the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, our government is helping local forestry companies create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen their competitiveness in the global marketplace. I want to thank Minister Holland and the Ontario government for their ongoing commitment to Ontario’s forestry sector as well as to workers and businesses that are crucial to our local economy.”
Ben Hokum and Son president Dean Felhaber expressed gratitude for this investment’s role in aiding both his company and local forests.
“We appreciate the Ontario government’s support as we continue investing in our company, our workers, and our regional supply chain. These projects will allow us to increase the amount of export-ready lumber we produce while expanding our international markets further-and making better use of our forest resources-strengthening long-term competitiveness for both Ben Hokum & Son as well as Ontario’s forest sector,” Felhaber said.
Torch Light Bioresources managing director Jamie Stephen pointed out how biomass initiatives could open up new markets for lower-grade wood while emphasizing that forests represent Ontario’s most valuable publicly-owned asset.
“Torch Light is working diligently to advance low-risk bioenergy projects which serve as essential demand centres for low-grade wood; thereby supporting sustainable management practices within Ontario’s Crown forests. There are more than 50 district heating systems across Ontario ready to switch from imported natural gas over to combined heat plants powered by sustainable low carbon wood fuels produced right here,” Stephen stated.
Carboform co-founder and CEO Sneha Shanbhag indicated that her company’s project aims at developing new applications using wood residues. According to Shanbhag’s insights on investment impact: it’ll help speed up development efforts along with testing new ingredients derived from these materials intended specifically within paints & coatings industries.
“By collaborating closely alongside various forest-products companies plus coatings manufacturers alike-we hope not only create higher-value applications but also meet rising demands surrounding renewable lower-carbon alternatives,” Shanbhag explained further clarifying aspirations behind current developments underway during this venture together ahead now going forward too soon!”
North Algona Wilberforce Mayor James Brose remarked about how Ben Hokum’s proposed project could generate lasting markets aimed primarily around lower-grade fibre whilst producing energy supplies beneficial towards mill operations plus contributing back into provincial electrical grids effectively too concurrently together henceforth arising presently already steadily ongoing towards them eventually still!
The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) also embraced these investments warmly; Ian Dunn-their president & CEO-stated affirmatively how announcements like today highlight immense potentials tied directly linked specifically focusing solely upon utilizing available resources connected through managing forests responsibly-which helps lead positively toward transitioning operations gradually reducing emissions down overall too significantly throughout processes concerned herein themselves ultimately hereafter soon consequently thereafter moving forward through such initiatives taken thusly.”
Ben Hokum & Sons started operating back during nineteen fifty-six producing forty-plus million board feet worth covering white/red pines annually hitting targets consistently year after year since! In previous years past they secured one hundred nineteen thousand seven hundred thirty-five dollars via Forest Biomass programs exploring options surrounding harnessing locally sourced material transforming it safely delivering clean energies likewise desired throughout all aspects considered overall holistically encompassing everything necessary truly reliably enough!”
Source link
