Canada's forests are among the most sustainably managed in the world, and its forest sector is leading the way in innovation and environmental responsibility through new clean technologies. Michel Picard, Member of Parliament for Montarville, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honorable Jim Carr, this week announced The funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program.

Enerlab 2000 Inc. will use its iso-lignin technology to produce insulation panels using lignin from black liquor, a byproduct of the pulp and paper process and an underutilized renewable resource. The project's objective is to replace petroleum-based raw materials in the manufacture of insulating and structural panels. By using its iso-lignin technology, the facility expects to cut its production cost of raw materials by 20% and reduce its environmental footprint.

The project will deliver economic benefits to the local community and surrounding region by improving the facility's competitiveness, enhancing productive capacity, and diversifying its product base.

On June 1, 2017, the IFIT program received a further C$55 million over three years as part of the Government of Canada's C$867-million response to support worker and forest-dependent communities that have been affected by U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber. This new funding will enable future innovative transformative technologies for the sector.

"Today's announcement is a further example of our government's dedication to supporting renewable resources to further the advancement of clean technology in Canada. By using a waste product of the pulp and paper process in place of petroleum-based raw materials, Enerlab is helping address the challenge of climate change," said Michel Picard, Member of Parliament for Montarville.