Canada’s legacy mill sites poised to power new biofuels future

A new collaboration between Ecostrat Inc. and the BMI Group is set to accelerate Canada’s transition toward advanced biofuels by transforming former pulp and paper mills into next‑generation biorefinery hubs.
The partnership will apply BDO Zone Ratings—an investment‑grade system for assessing biomass supply and site readiness—to prepare BMI’s portfolio of legacy industrial sites for large‑scale biofuel production and related biobased industries.
At the heart of the initiative is the drive to unlock Canada’s vast fibre resources for renewable energy. By using BDO Zone Ratings, the partners aim to de‑risk early‑stage development and give investors clearer confidence in the availability, reliability, and sustainability of biomass feedstocks.
This is particularly significant for biofuels developers, who depend on long‑term, stable supply chains to justify major capital investment.
Jordan Solomon, CEO of Ecostrat, noted that Canada has the raw materials and communities eager for new economic opportunities, but often lacks consistent regional intelligence to attract global developers.
BMI Group CEO Paul Veldman emphasised that repurposing former forest‑industry assets for biofuel and bioproduct manufacturing can revitalise rural economies while ensuring every part of the fibre stream is put to productive use.
BMI’s Bioveld North project in Espanola, Ontario, illustrates the model: a full‑fibre bioproduct hub designed to support renewable energy, advanced materials, and next‑generation manufacturing. Tools like the BDO Zone framework can accelerate similar investments across Canada.
The collaboration signals strong private‑sector support for expanding BDO Zone assessments nationwide, reinforcing Canada’s ambition to become a global leader in sustainable biofuels and the broader bioeconomy.