17 July 2014

Enerkem continues down the path of innovation: this Sherbrooke company announced an energy production demonstration project from residual biomass, with the financial support of the Government of Québec.

The project will be carried out at the Westbury plant over a three-year period, and could see an investment of up to $6 million by Enerkem.  The Government of Québec will invest $1 million via the Technoclimat program.

Enerkem seeks to demonstrate its technology’s viability on an industrial scale, while evaluating its implementation potential in remote areas. Renewable energy would be produced from residual materials from communities and from residual forest biomass. Many systems –generators and such–are currently diesel-powered.

Demonstration Plant – Westbury

“Although biofuels and renewable chemicals are currently our flagship products in the North American market, we intend to take advantage of our technology’s flexibility to meet the constantly growing demand in renewable energy and for alternative solutions to landfill and waste incineration,” said Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The financial support announcement was made by the MNA for Mégantic, Ghislain Bolduc, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Pierre Arcand, and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Estrie region, Pierre Paradis.

Natural Resources Canada also contributes to the project via its ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative.

Sources: Enerkem, Government of Québec and La Tribune