Under the new ownership, Atikokan Granules was fully operational again and employed 25 experienced local employees. (Photo: Deb Cain)
Since the news spread more than a year ago, American grain giant Rentech has been struggling in Wawa and Atikokan, operations in northern Ontario. Now, Atikokan wooden pellets are again fully operational under new ownership and there is hope. Scale up.
BioPower Sustainable Energy Corp. acquired Atikokan Plant from Rentech in December 2017. BioPower is a subsidiary of True North Timber (TNT), a logging contractor located in Chapleau, Ontario. Both TNT and BioPower are from Northern Ontario. The born CEO Mark Guillemette owns and operates.
'We have been looking for suitable investment opportunities for the past few years, and this pellet plant is exactly what we want in northern Ontario. It is a clean, innovative and sustainable energy solution,' Guillemette said.
The Atikokan particle production plant complements TNT's existing business in sustainable forestry operations and allows the company to expand into emerging markets, he said.
Rentech was originally a chipboard processing plant, which purchased the Atikokan factory in 2013. In the same year, Rentech purchased a pretreatment plant from Wyer at Weyerhauser. Both plants were converted to pellet plants and received long-term contracts but due to equipment failures. Problems with material handling equipment and production delays.
In February 2017, Rentech idled its Wawa plant due to equipment and operational issues and uncertainties in the wood pellet market. Although Atikokan is still operating, it cuts production to 45,000 tons per year to meet the company and Ontario Power Group (OPG) Atikokan. The long-term contract signed by the power generation facility uses 100% wood pellets.
Under the new ownership, Atikokan Granules is fully operational again. It employs 25 experienced local staff to produce and deliver OPG contracts, which is a continuous guarantee for the next seven years. BioPower will reach 45,000 tons of commodity-grade pellets this year. Goals, and are looking to increase their customer base to produce more pellets. The current capacity and configuration of the plant makes it possible to produce 110,000 tons per year.
The pellet plant's fiber raw material continues to be supplied by Resolute Forest Products, which operates three sawmills and a pulp mill in the northwestern part of Ontario. Guillemette said: 'Our high-quality pellets have the best management and certification in the world. Sustainable forest procurement of raw materials. '
BioPower's particles are sampled and tested by the Biomass Energy Lab on a weekly, quarterly and yearly basis.
upgrade
Although the plant itself is in good condition, BioPower is undergoing some minor upgrades and capital improvements. One of the upgrades is the installation of an automatic bagging machine, which will enable the company to serve new customers and markets for residential wood pellets.
Guillemette said that new business development is delivering residential and commercial pellets to customers around the world.
'Our management team is keen to establish new relationships and build our network of customers, suppliers and partners globally. We are also focusing on the residential heating wood pellet market,' he said.
Guillemette said that as a North Ontario person, he is keen to maintain industry and employment in the north and help create a thriving community. His father, Albert Guillemette, is the founder of TNT. TNT now produces over 400,000 tons per year and employs nearly 100 people. .
'We are highly experienced and experienced employees, environmental management, efficient processes and customer-centric approach to trust and recognition. Through more than 20 years of experience and working together from TNT, I believe we have regional and global The unique potential for new opportunities, ' Guillemette said. 'Our vision is: 'Efforts to create a sustainable energy future''.
