Domtar Corporation announced today an investment by Schlumberger in CelluForce, a joint venture between Domtar and FPInnovations that manufactures wood-derived nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCTM). The investment is a collaboration to explore the use of NCC to enhance the productivity of oil and gas wells. Schlumberger is the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management and information…
Amendments to forestry legislation introduced today will enhance the effectiveness of BC Timber Sales and allow the transfer of pulpwood agreements to increase fibre supply to pulp mills. Acting on recommendations from the BC Timber Sales effectiveness review, the amendments will encourage more accurate timber pricing, help BC Timber Sales generate more revenue, and improve…
Intelescope Solutions is a forest analytics company that utilizes drone and satellite imagery to transform the massive forestry industry. Intelescope provides their clients with automated services at speeds of 50-100x faster than those of current processing techniques. This enables more efficient management and a richer knowledge of timber assets. To date, the company has raised $8.3…
The Invasive Species Centre has launched a comprehensive new website on invasive species in Canada’s forests. Forest Invasives Canada (www.forestinvasives.ca) provides an easily-accessible portal for information regarding the invasive species that threaten Canada’s urban and working forests and green spaces. The website features profiles of target species, recent research and management strategies, and in-depth discussions on the overall ecological, social,…
Ontario is investing in two projects to help Rentech Inc., a Northern Ontario fibre company, to convert two idle wood product mills into facilities that manufacture wood pellets, a sustainable energy source. The two facilities have created over 60 jobs in Northern Ontario, as the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines said in the press release…
If the 20th century was the century of the skyscraper, then the 21st century is shaping up as the century of the “plyscaper.” Despite its historical reputation for great city fires — London in 1666, the Great Chicago fire of 1871 and San Francisco in 1906 — wood is making a comeback as a construction…
The Northern Pulp mill is here for the long haul. “Rumours that our mill is closing any time soon are simply not true,” said Bruce Chapman, general manager of the Pictou County kraft pulp mill. Emphatically denying that the Abercrombie Point mill is considering such a drastic step, Chapman said it is rumour mongers who…
Proponents of the bill say it’s a win-win win for Alberta. The innocuous sounding Bill 203 titled “Safety Codes (Sustainable Structures) Amendment Act, 2014,” might sound dry but it could dramatically impact the province’s forestry industry and those who depend on it. The legislation was tabled as a private members bill back in December 2014…
Lumber stocks have taken a beating so far this year amid falling prices for the key construction commodity, but some investors see it as a buying opportunity, betting the U.S. housing market will bounce back and growth in Asia will remain steady. Lumber prices are down about 20 per cent since late last year amid…
Federal trade officials have launched an investigation of Canadian government subsidies to the Port Hawkesbury Paper mill, which two paper companies with mills in Maine argue unfairly undercut and damaged their business. The U.S. Department of Commerce has recommended opening an investigation of 28 instances of government help to the Canadian mill in response to…