The Media Room

Natural Resources Canada

2010/49

July 7, 2010

Government of Canada Leading Forest Sector Renewal:
New Investment Announced for Environmental Improvements at Canfor Pulp’s
Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership is improving its environmental performance and contributing to a more sustainable pulp and paper industry in Canada with help from a $15.6-million investment by the Government of Canada, the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced today. Canfor Pulp’s Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill will receive funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program (PPGTP) for two capital improvement projects that will raise renewable energy production and improve local air quality.

“Investing in green technologies that improve environmental performance and increase renewable energy production is an important step in the evolution of Canada’s pulp and paper sector,” said Minister Day. “Our Conservative Government is driving the renewal of this sector by supporting these types of investments so companies like Canfor can continue to provide important forest products for consumers.”

To produce more electricity from black liquor — a liquid by-product of the pulping process used to generate heat and power — part of the PPGTP funding will go toward the installation of two new pipelines between Canfor Pulp’s Prince George and Intercontinental mills. The facilities already share a number of transfer pipes that help the mills streamline their production processes.

The remainder of the funding will go toward reducing mill odour emissions in the surrounding community by 60 percent. The mill will install a Dilute Non-Condensable Gases (DNCG) system, which will lower the level of odour-causing sulphur vapours in the local air shed.

CEO Joe Nemeth says the project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year. When complete, the new technology will lower total reduced sulphur (TRS) by 60 percent, which will be a significant improvement in the quality of Prince George’s air.

Canfor Pulp is one of 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada that qualified for credits under the $1-billion program, based on their 2009 production levels of black liquor.

The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program complements initiatives that are being delivered under Canada’s Economic Action Plan to sustain and improve the forest industry in Canada. Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth is delivering $100 million over four years to support the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced technologies in the forest sector — helping create a world-class industry able to compete in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Asia–Pacific Gateway Minister Stockwell Day today announced that Canfor Pulp’s Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill in British Columbia will receive $15.6 million under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. The funding will support two capital improvement projects designed to increase renewable energy production from black liquor and reduce odour levels in the local community.

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