$26M project implementing new process for extracting hemicellulose from wood chips at Cascades plant
14 April 2015
Canada-based Cascades Inc., a company that recovers recyclable materials and manufactures green packaging products and tissue paper, is investing in a new technology at its Norampac – Cabano facility to extract hemicellulose from wood chips. Hemicellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls, presents myriad opportunities ranging from power generation to biofuels such as ethanol, as well as the production of natural sugar-based value-added products.
The project, worth a total of $26 million, is backed by a $10-million investment from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program and an additional $4.4 million from the Québec Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.
The Cabano plant will replace its current process—the production of sodium carbonate-based chemical pulp —with this new, more environmentally friendly and economical one that was developed in conjunction with a US partner.
This new process will replace the use of chemical products, which would otherwise have to be purchased, shipped and disposed of responsibly. Another benefit is the plant’s reduced energy consumption, which will boost Cabano’s competitiveness. The facility’s reduced environmental footprint will position Cabano to offer products that are even more environmentally friendly.
Pre-extraction of hemicellulose from wood chips prior to transformation into kraft and paper gives a welcomed extra value to wood mill operations.
Hemicellulose can later be transformed into ethanol, butanol, cosmetics, animal feed stocks, to produce special stronger paper etc.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 April 2015 at 02:11 PM