Government of Canada Invests in First-of-its-Kind Filtration Technology in Grande Prairie to Help Reduce Carbon Emissions

June 13, 2023       Grande Prairie, Alberta                             Natural Resources Canada

Clean technologies and low-carbon solutions are a critical part of our plan to lower emissions while growing Canada’s economy. Developing and deploying these technologies not only helps to fight climate change but also creates sustainable jobs.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced funding of over $3.6 million to International Paper Company, in collaboration with Via Separations Inc., for the implementation of a first-of-its-kind filtration technology aimed at reducing the energy intensity and carbon emissions associated with the kraft pulping process. The project is funded through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, which aims to create a more competitive and resilient forest sector focusing on low-carbon projects that result in new or diversified revenue streams.

After successful pilot demonstrations of the technology, International Paper will be the first manufacturer to deploy Via’s Black Liquor Concentration System at commercial scale. The project will help minimize the mill’s carbon emissions, improve throughput and increase the production of valuable coproducts like converting the black liquor soap into crude tall oil, which can be used in several applications, including as a potential biofuel for transportation.

Deployed in Grande Prairie, Alberta, this project demonstrates how pulp mills can implement low-carbon solutions to help move toward net-zero emissions while advancing the competitiveness and efficiency of the forest sector and enabling clean tech innovation through a cross-industry partnership.  

This breakthrough filtration technology will lead to major environmental benefits and has significant replicability potential, providing valuable revenue diversification opportunities for mills across Canada.