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Domtar and FPInnovations to build nanocellulose demonstration plant in Quebec (September 01, 2010)

MONTREAL — Domtar Corporation and FPInnovations have formed a new joint venture company to build the world’s first one-tonne-per-day commercial-scale nanocrystalline cellulose demonstration plant at …

MONTREAL — Domtar Corporation and FPInnovations have formed a new joint venture company to build the world’s first one-tonne-per-day commercial-scale nanocrystalline cellulose demonstration plant at the Domtar Windsor, Quebec, pulp and paper mill site. Construction will take approximately 20 months.

Nanocrystalline cellulose is a renewable, recyclable, and abundant nanomaterial made of cellulose fibers from the wood pulp manufacturing process.

The cost of construction of the demonstration plant is approximately $32.4 million and operating costs are estimated at $8.4 million, for a total investment of $40.8 million. Domtar is submitting $12 million of its total contribution for funding approval under the federal Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. Natural Resources Canada and Quebec’s Natural Resources and Wildlife Ministry are contributing $10.2 million each to FPInnovations’ portion of the funding of this project. All funding is still subject to approval.

“The remarkable properties of nanocrystalline cellulose and wide range of potential applications speak volumes about the commercial potential of new fiber-based products that go beyond traditional pulp and paper applications” said John D. Williams, president and CEO of Domtar Corporation.

Two Canadian engineering firms, Teknika and Noram, will contribute to the project. Approximately 10 permanent positions will be needed to operate the demonstration plant. In addition, numerous researchers and scientific personnel have been and will continue working to deliver on the potential new nanocrystalline cellulose applications and products.