Features Research & Innovation
Tembec puts its pulp and chemicals to use in unique structural composite

Tembec will build a pilot plant for the development of a high performance structural product known as Next Generation Sustainable Fibre (“Next Gen”). This project is based on an innovative, Tembec patented process that will use Tembec’s pulp and lignosulfonates within a modified phenolic resin to produce a structural material with unique strength-to-weight and durability characteristics.

“The Next Generation Sustainable Fibre initiative recognizes the growing demand for environmentally-friendly, lightweight structural composites suitable for applications in such areas as infrastructure and engineered components,” said Randy Fournier, senior vice-president, chemical products and kraft pulp. (Both the pulp and lignosulfonates will come from FSC-certified forests.)

 “Our initial end-use application will be a railway tie for environmentally sensitive areas, with other applications such as automotive components, land and marine transportation infrastructure, and electrical energy generation and transmission infrastructures to be assessed.”

The cost of the pilot plant is estimated at approximately $8.4 million, with the majority of the funding being provided equally by the Quebec and federal governments. Support from the Province of Quebec in the amount of $3.45 million will come from the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, through FPInnovations, and the Ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation. Federal funds of $3.45 million will come from Natural Resources Canada/FPInnovations, through the Federal Transformative Technologies Pilot Scale Demonstration Program.

Tembec is a large, diversified and integrated forest products company with operations in Canada and France.