Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Domtar is the largest integrated marketer and manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper and among the mostcost-competitive papermakers in North America. Domtar is working on the development of new products fromnew proprietary types of pulp and wants to use the pulp which they produce in excess by giving it a valueadded for the manufacture of new products. Trials will be done on a pilot scale refiner to determinefunctionality and optimum performance parameters for the manufacture of surface enhance pulp fibres withmechanical refining. Innofibre has the capability and the equipment to perform those trials and evaluation. Inaddition, Innofibre will work with Domtar on the development of new bioproducts with the use of the modifiedpulps. The properties of hardwood and softwood papermaking fibres will be changed in the near future and willbe very different to what we observe today. A number of fibre property combinations are theoretically possible,as well as the range of bioproducts that could be made with them. This represents a significant economicopportunity for Canada, given the abundance of the nation's forest biomass and forest sector commitment totransformation. Domtar must have innovative processes to produce high quality products. This is veryimportant to keep mills running and the associated jobs for many years to come.