Arbios Biotech, a joint venture of Canadian Forest Products Ltd. and Licella Holdings Ltd., is pleased to announce the decision to proceed with the development of a pioneering low carbon biofuel plant in Prince George, British Columbia. The plant will use innovative and one-of-a-kind technology to convert sawmill residues, primarily bark, into high-value, renewable biocrude that can be further processed in refineries to produce low-carbon transportation fuels. .

“We are excited to take this next step in our journey towards our vision of delivering low carbon circular economy solutions around the world. The evolution of this project will help transportation fuel suppliers in British Columbia and Canada meet their emissions and low carbon targets, ”said Don Roberts, Chairman of the Board of Directors of British Columbia. ‘Arbios. “I am also pleased to announce that Alan Nicholl has been appointed to the role of President and CEO of Arbios. Alan’s strategic leadership and financial discipline will be critical assets as Arbios continues to develop and grow and his appointment enjoys the full support of Canfor. Alan has been a member of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of Arbios since their inception.

Arbios plans to proceed initially with a processing line that will convert 25,000 dry metric tonnes of wood residue into 50,000 barrels of sustainable bio-oil per year, a direct substitute for fossil crude oil, from post-waste wood biomass. -consumption. The plant is expected to start producing renewable biocrude in the first half of 2023, the plant is expected to be built on part of Canfor’s intercontinental pulp mill site, and Arbios will have the potential to expand to four processing lines in the existing footprint. The new Arbios plant will use Licella’s patented Cat-HTRTM decarbonization platform. The plant represents the next scale-up of its hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology, building on the recent commissioning of the Arbios CS-1 facility on the central New Wales coast of the South (Australia), which continues to demonstrate the ability of the technology to produce low carbon products.

The project is located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, with whom Arbios worked closely on a joint project development plan, in order to understand their interest and ensure meaningful commercial and practical participation for the Nation in the project. The proponents are also collaborating on an environmental due diligence process with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

“The sustainable use of our resources to work towards a low carbon future is very important to the Lheidli T’enneh people. Since Arbios approached us about the project, we have been working closely to ensure that the Nation’s values ​​are respected and protected, ”said Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

As an important step towards increasing the availability of low-carbon transportation fuels, the project receives strong support from federal and provincial government programs, including the provision of credits under the Law of British Columbia on greenhouse gas reduction (renewable and low carbon fuel requirements); the Canada Sustainable Development Technology Fund; and the Innovative Clean Energy Fund of the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Innovative Clean Energy Fund. “Support from all government sources is sincerely appreciated, and special recognition should be given to the British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard and its Part 3 agreement with Arbios for helping us achieve reach that milestone, ”Roberts continued.

Canfor has committed to funding this phase of the project, underscoring the company’s commitment to playing a leadership role in the transition to the low-carbon economy the world needs.