Research Projects

Key partners in this project’s research component are CBPPL, GC, and CNA. This component of the project consists of two phases: first, the identification of incremental innovation opportunities for mill by-products for use in western Newfoundland’s agriculture sector, and more long-term radical innovation opportunities for high-tech bio-based product development. By focusing the first phase of research projects on by-product upcycling for soil amendment and other uses, the project delivers direct benefits to the region by building capacity to achieve food security. The research partners have agreed to a research agenda focused on 1) better utilization of ash and sludge from the mill, 2) composting wood waste, 3) utilizing waste heat from the mill in a greenhouse initiative, and 4) exploring international marketing opportunities for current and potential paper products.

The research component of the project responds to a need for post-secondary-industry collaboration to ensure long-term regional employment and training opportunities and will strengthen the position of CBPPL through improved competitiveness and repositioning from its current newsprint focus to diversification through research and development. The long-term sustainability of the mill will require CBPPL to pivot away from newsprint to new product lines in growing markets such as bio-based sustainable materials. The project will facilitate research to encourage environmentally sustainable industry practices and investigate new opportunities in clean technology (e.g., through projects such as studying the use of waste heat from the mill to power a commercial greenhouse that will also address concerns related to food security and the availability of local produce). The projects within the research component hope to sustain CBPPL’s place as a significant regional employer into the future and to strengthen the economy of western NL by building on the mill’s existing knowledge and by exploring related opportunities in high-tech, high growth sectors. 

Current research projects on the use of waste by-products of the mill and new product development include:

4. Study of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPPL) by-products and potential uses for food production

Funded by:

5. Low-Input Agriculture

Funded by:

• The Agricultural Clean Technology Program