BMI Group Laying Groundwork for Redeveloping Former Pulp Mills

BMI Group and Ecostrat are partnering to get former pulp and paper mills across Canada ready for new biomass projects.

In a March 12 news release, the firms announced they are looking to establish some of the properties as Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zones to attract investment at former pulp mills across the country owned by BMI.

Through the BDO Zone process, properties are evaluated on criteria that makes them appealing for bio-based development. That could include producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.

Regions that score high in the system receive a BDO Zone rating, which identifies them as being “optimal” areas for bio-based development. Communities can then use that rating in economic development and marketing activities.

Ecostrat sources and delivers wood waste products for use in biomass products, and provides advisory and risk management services to project developers.

“Canada has legacy mill assets, fibre resources, and communities looking for new investment,” Jordan Solomon, CEO of Ecostrat, said in a news release.

“What is often missing is consistent, investment-grade regional intelligence that helps developers and investors assess where new projects can move with greater confidence. When that gap is filled, investment often follows, as demonstrated by more than $10 billion in plant announcements in BDO Zones to date.”

BMI Group has acquired nine former pulp and paper mills across Canada in recent years — including those in Espanola, Iroquois Falls and Red Rock — with plans to redevelop them for new industrial uses.

The company said the Espanola property, which it has named Bioveld North, “exemplifies” the BDO Zone model in action.

BMI plans to redevelop the site into a “full-fibre bioproduct hub” focused on advanced materials, renewable energy, and fibre manufacturing. The company said a BDO Zone designation could help attract investment in the site.

“We are making our sites available as early candidates for this work because we believe Canada can lead the world in transforming legacy forest-industry assets into the next generation of biorefineries,” Paul Veldman, CEO of the BMI Group, said in the release.

“Putting wood back to work ensures that every part of the fibre stream supports new products, new industries, and renewed opportunity for forestry communities.”