Green energy projects

Tembec is making major investments in green energy that will boost our production of cogenerated electricity, and in bioenergy projects that are win-win-win stories – lower costs, higher productivity and improved environmental performance.

Béarn, Québec, lumber sawmill:
$6 million biomass boiler will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs

Construction began in 2011 on a new seven megawatt boiler, to be fueled by biomass bark produced at the sawmill. This new boiler will provide the energy to operate the sawmill’s wood kilns when it begins operating in the spring of 2012.

The new biomass boiler will replace two oil-fired six megawatt boilers, reducing the sawmill’s use of fossil fuels and lowering its greenhouse gas emissions by 88%. So it’s a win-win-win in terms of costs, productivity and environmental performance.

In addition to producing softwood lumber, Béarn provides the Temiscaming specialty cellulose operation with wood chips for pulp, and biomass used as an energy source. Both facilities are nearby so this helps control transportation costs for specialty cellulose.

Tartas, France, specialty cellulose biorefinery:
$21 million investment will increase cogeneration of green electricity

The investment covers a new electrical turbine, and improvements to the existing biomass boiler system, that will come on line in mid-2012.

The new equipment will boost production of green electricity at Tartas by nine megawatts, and increase revenues from this source through a new cogeneration contract. All this will put Tartas in the first quartile for costs among specialty cellulose producers, in line with Tembec’s objectives. 

Tartas is the world leader in cellulose ethers and nitrocellulose, used in consumer-oriented industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, as well as construction and mining.

Matane, Québec, high-yield pulp operation:
$25 million investment will reduce use of fossil fuels and improve competitiveness

The heart of this two-phase project, now underway, is construction of a $23.9 million anaerobic effluent treatment facility. It will use less energy than conventional aerobic systems, and also produce methane biogas for use as fuel in Matane’s pulp-drying process. In addition, a new $1.8 million electric boiler will replace an oil-fired boiler.

All this will greatly reduce fossil fuel consumption, and eliminate the use of heavy oils, that previously fueled Matane’s process steam and pulp-drying needs. 

Result: significantly lower costs, improved competitiveness for a core business line, and better environmental performance. Our Temiscaming and Tartas operations also have anaerobic effluent treatment facilities, so it’s a proven technology.

The new equipment goes into operation in mid-2012.