BC Announces Additional Support for Wood Products Manufacturing

On Thursday, British Columbia announced new support for forest-sector manufacturers throughout the province that will create jobs, strengthen local economies, and promote the transition to high-value, made-in-BC forestry products.

“Making the best use of available fiber is a key part of the blueprint for sustainable forestry in BC,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation. “The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is working with forestry companies throughout our province to create new jobs and highly sought-after engineered wood products. Helping manufacturers expand their operations to create more made-in-BC products is what the BCMJF is all about.”

Kruger Kamloops Pulp Mill

Kruger Kamloops Pulp mill, one of Kamloops’ largest employers, will receive up to C$5 million to support the commissioning of a new pressure diffusion washer with an AI-powered control system that will be the first technology of its kind in Canada.

In addition, the Government of Canada is also providing C$4.9 million under the Investment in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program for this initiative.

This project will allow Kruger to diversify its product offerings to include new, in-demand innovative products. These capital improvements will help keep the business competitive while reducing production costs and removing bottlenecks to render a better-quality pulp product.

Power Wood Corporation

Power Wood Corporation is an Agassiz-based specialty and value-added wood product manufacturer, primarily producing highly specified architectural finished products from coastal BC forest products. Power Wood, in partnership with Squiala First Nation, will receive up to C$3.4 million for their project to create a new state-of-the-art thermal modification manufacturing facility that will produce high value, thermally modified wood products that are known for their stability and durability.

In addition, the Government of Canada is also providing C$3 million under the IFIT Program for this initiative via the Squiala PWC Wood Modifying Limited Partnership.

This will help Power Wood decrease its reliance on old-growth fiber and diversify its fiber sources to increase the use of under-utilized species primarily from second-growth forests.