Grant: Strategic Workshops Program
Memorial University of Newfoundland
$25,000.00
Development of biopathways for the forestry industry in Newfoundland and Labrador
EF 2012-13
Résumé
The forest industry is under increasing pressure to diversify due to a decrease in world demand for newsprint.
The forestry sector in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has a major dependence on newsprint production; as
world demand for this product has reduced in recent years, the industry has faced hardships. Two mills have
closed (Abitibi mill in Stephenville in 2005; AbitibiBowater mill in Grand Falls-Windsor in 2008), and
production has been reduced at the remaining Kruger mill in Corner Brook. This not only impacts these
forestry communities in terms of sustainability, but also impacts neighboring communities that rely on
downstream industries such as saw mills. As such, the traditional industry structure needs to change to
re-energize the NL forest industry. The scope of the forestry-related challenges is worldwide, however, unlike
other regions where significant infrastructure and adjacent large industries exist, in NL the industrial base is
sparse and spread out across the province, and there is no railway system. This situation-remote locations
combined with limited infrastructure-is not unique to NL and, therefore, any solutions developed can be
applied to other regions (for example, Northern regions).
The overall goal coming from the workshop will be to develop a long-term strategic plan for the roll-out of
bio-refinery technologies in NL. This strategy is intended to assist in the creation of a vibrant forest sector in
the province that will include the production of new value-added materials, economic development and job
creation. This will be achieved by analyzing biomass availability, current infrastructure and transportation
routes, market demand and available technologies. The application of these technologies will be assisted
through the formation of local, national and international research partnerships. The focus of the workshop will
be on further identification of the availability of biomass, markets, bio-refinery technology, development of
strategic partnerships, and the definition of the roles of stakeholders in further development.
Programme
Strategic Workshops Program
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
437482-2012
Name nom
Hawboldt, KellyAnne
Department département
Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of
Organization id
89
Institution établissement
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Province en
Newfoundland and Labrador
Province fr
Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2012
Competition year année de concours
2012
Award amount
25000
Program id
STPWS
Program name en
Strategic Workshops Program
Program name fr
Programme d'ateliers stratégiques
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1551
Committee name en
Atlantic Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour l'Atlantique
Area of application code
503
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Wood, wood products and paper
Area of application fr
Bois, produits du bois et papier
Research subject code
7003
Research subject group en
Other studies in natural sciences and engineering
Research subject group fr
Autres études en sciences naturelles et en génie
Research subject en
Renewable and non-renewable resources management
Research subject fr
Gestion des ressources renouvelables et non renouvelables
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Development of biopathways for the forestry industry in Newfoundland and Labrador
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The forest industry is under increasing pressure to diversify due to a decrease in world demand for newsprint.
The forestry sector in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has a major dependence on newsprint production; as
world demand for this product has reduced in recent years, the industry has faced hardships. Two mills have
closed (Abitibi mill in Stephenville in 2005; AbitibiBowater mill in Grand Falls-Windsor in 2008), and
production has been reduced at the remaining Kruger mill in Corner Brook. This not only impacts these
forestry communities in terms of sustainability, but also impacts neighboring communities that rely on
downstream industries such as saw mills. As such, the traditional industry structure needs to change to
re-energize the NL forest industry. The scope of the forestry-related challenges is worldwide, however, unlike
other regions where significant infrastructure and adjacent large industries exist, in NL the industrial base is
sparse and spread out across the province, and there is no railway system. This situation-remote locations
combined with limited infrastructure-is not unique to NL and, therefore, any solutions developed can be
applied to other regions (for example, Northern regions).
The overall goal coming from the workshop will be to develop a long-term strategic plan for the roll-out of
bio-refinery technologies in NL. This strategy is intended to assist in the creation of a vibrant forest sector in
the province that will include the production of new value-added materials, economic development and job
creation. This will be achieved by analyzing biomass availability, current infrastructure and transportation
routes, market demand and available technologies. The application of these technologies will be assisted
through the formation of local, national and international research partnerships. The focus of the workshop will
be on further identification of the availability of biomass, markets, bio-refinery technology, development of
strategic partnerships, and the definition of the roles of stakeholders in further development.
