Partnerships with GN Bio Energy

GN Bio Energy worked with Lakehead University to develop and test various natural additives to enhance wood pellet performance. The targeted additive was lignin which is expected to be available in Northwestern Ontario. This research was performed with the support of the Centre for Research in the Bio-economy (CRIBE).

GN Bio Energy prepared an application for Atikokan Renewable Fuels (AR Fuels) to CRIBE. AR Fuels received a grant to help fund research into regionally-sourced natural additives to enhance solid biomass wood pellet performance.

Further, GN Bio Energy prepared an application for AR Fuels to NOHFC for assistance to help in the early conversion of a closed fibreboard plant into a wood pellet manufacturing facility. The result was the award of $1.25M in assistance from Ontario to the success of this plant. This facility became a supplier to OPG for the biomass conversion at the OPG Atikokan Generating Station.

In partnership with a number of regional Indigenous communities, GN Bio Energy has collaborated on initiatives to support the development of local wood pellet production facilities, including facilitating fibre handling, fibre processing and supply chain agreements. GN Bio Energy’s first collaborations were pursued for the AR Fuels wood pellet production plant in Atikokan.

Since then, GN Bio Energy has worked with a number of regional Indigenous communities to plan, develop, and operationalize biomass cogeneration and wood pellet production facilities.

GN Bio Energy worked with AR Fuels, Confederation College, and Whitesand First Nation to develop a 56-week Wood Forest Product & Energy Manufacturing Certificate Program specifically geared at establishing a local workforce for Whitesand First Nation’s wood pellet production facility. GN Bio Energy and AR Fuels provided funding and locations in both Atikokan and Thunder Bay to offer participants with hands-on learning opportunities in the biomass sector. As part of this training, GN Bio Energy provided tours to plants in the USA that allowed students the opportunity to visit an operating plant and to witness biomass jobs in action. These tours were held at a facility that was automated by Automation Now. The tours were attended by other area communities with similar interests in biomass-related businesses/facilities. Graduates of the training program are skilled in the construction and operation of biomass handling and wood pellet manufacturing facilities.