Cutting-Edge wood fibre technology receives $12.5 million in support
 
MASSON-ANGERS, QC - The Governments of Canada and Quebec  will provide $12.5 million in funding to Papier Masson, in Masson-Angers (Gatineau), Quebec, to help the company introduce a new process — the first of its kind in North America — to produce wood fibre to be used in the production of wood-plastic composites. 
 
As a result of this investment, the company's Gatineau mill will be able to produce 40 tonnes per day of densified wood fibre while reducing its energy consumption by 15 percent. This fibre will replace non-renewable polymers to make wood-plastic composites for diverse products such as interior car door panels.
 
"This project is an important strategic investment that will help strengthen employment at Papier Masson, bringing positive benefits to the surrounding community," said Stéphane Deshaies, General Manager, Papier Masson WB L.P.
 
Canada's forest sector is an important economic driver and employer: more than 200,000 Canadians work in this sector, including 9,500 Indigenous people. Investments that support innovation will help make Canada's forest industries greener, more competitive and able to continue to provide good jobs for Canadians in communities across the country.
 
"The forest industry plays a central role in combatting climate change, driving innovation and creating economic opportunities for local and Indigenous communities. This project is an excellent example of innovation that will help address climate change while transforming and improving the competitiveness of our country's forest industry," said Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources.
 
Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities and MP for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation, and Luc Blanchette, Quebec's Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, made the announcement today in Masson-Angers, a municipality within the City of Gatineau.
 
The Government of Canada is providing $10 million and the Government of Quebec is providing $2.5 million for this project, which will help secure more than 110 local jobs and lead to the creation of new positions for mill operations. Funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program and Quebec's Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks.
 
 "Our government is proud to support initiatives such as the one proposed by White Birch for its plant in Masson, a unique and innovative new technology that is a first in North America. The new fibre that can be extracted by this process will significantly enable the company to replace fibreglass and polymers in various applications. This project will have positive impacts on the regional forestry stream, through the greater use of wood chips, as well as on the fight against climate change by replacing fossil products with products made from renewable resources. This funding ties directly into the initiatives of the Forum Innovation Bois," said Luc Blanchette
Quebec Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. 
 
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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.