Wawa’s Idle Strandboard Mill Converting To Industrial Wood Pellet Production Facility

Written by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on 12 November 2013

Supplied photo

Supporting Growth in Ontario’s Forest Industry

Ontario is helping to build a stronger, more diverse northern economy while supporting approximately 40 jobs in Wawa.

Beginning with the Wawa pellet facility, which will currently be our largest pellet plant, and together with our Atikokan project, Rentech is on track to become the largest producer of wood pellets in Eastern Canada. We are grateful to have the backing of Ontario and the Ministry of Natural Resources to support our investments. We are excited about building safe, world-class businesses, which will provide regional jobs and economic opportunities for Ontario’s local communities and First Nations.” Hunt Ramsbottom, President and CEO, Rentech, Inc.

With support from the Ontario government, Rentech, Inc. is converting the idled oriented strandboard mill in Wawa to an industrial wood pellet production facility. The new facility will employ 40 workers and support an additional 200 forest industry jobs in surrounding communities.

This is a prime example of our government’s commitment to the forestry industry and to preserving and creating jobs in Northern Ontario. The opening of the Rentech facility will provide economic benefits for Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River and Chapleau as well as local First Nations communities. Our government continues to work with forestry businesses to strengthen their competitiveness and to help create long-term prosperity in Northern Ontario communities.” David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources

Production is expected to begin in the fall of 2014 with an annual production of 360,000 tonnes of pellets by 2016.

Supporting Ontario’s forest industry is part of the government’s economic plan to invest in people, invest in modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

Quick Facts

The Ministry of Natural Resources has issued a Forest Resource Processing Facility Licence to Rentech, Inc. to support the conversion and operation of the Wawa pellet facility.
The forestry sector supports more than 150,000 jobs in over 260 communities across the province.
Rentech, Inc. will ship its wood pellets to Drax Power, a 4,000-Megawatt U.K.-based electricity generator that is currently converting much of its coal-powered generation facility to sustainable biomass fuel energy production.
The Ontario government has introduced a new three-part plan to help create jobs and economic growth: investing in people, building modern infrastructure and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate.
Configuring the plant will involve approximately 100 construction jobs