Growth & Innovation

Building The Bioeconomy

Emerging industries turning wood chips, sawdust, and bark into bioplastics, textiles, and biofuels will not only create good green jobs for Canadians but are poised to reimagine the resources and products we use everyday through a greener, cleaner lens.

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Did you know?

Almost 60% of Canada’s forest industry runs on bioenergy (and that number is growing).

As our country moves to meet zero-emission targets by 2050, Canada has the potential to be a bioenergy and biomaterials powerhouse on the world stage. As a global leader in sustainable forest management, our sector is not only committed to keeping our forests as forests forever but dedicated to using technological advancements and exploring new ways to further reduce our environmental footprint. From pulp mills using "wood waste” as a biofuel to power their operations, to wood fibre being used as a sustainable manufacturing alternative for everyday essential products, and taller wood frame buildings offering safe, strong, and greener alternatives for construction, our sector is leading the way in building a more sustainable future for Canadians.

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Building tall with wood moves the carbon-capture potential of our forests into our cities.

By continuing to modernize the National Building Code to support Tall Wood Building projects, we can transform and expand the sustainable construction of affordable housing units, seniors’ residences and schools. And that’s not all! Mass timber construction can be completed 25% faster, can reduce carbon pollution during construction by 25% to 45%, and requires less energy to heat and cool, allowing us to build greener, more resilient communities.

Providing lower carbon alternatives to fossil fuels

Wood chips, sawdust, and bark — materials that might otherwise be considered “wood waste” — are not only being used by the mills that create them as a low-carbon energy source, but are being converted into biofuels to become an increasingly important energy source in Canada’s remote communities, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

A green alternative to everyday essentials

Wood fibre-based bioplastics offer Canadians a more sustainable option for everyday products like cosmetics, windshield wiper fluid, toilet paper, and biodegradable masks, while new uses for wood fibre are providing more biodegradable options to the number of single-use plastics currently flooding our landfills and oceans.

Growth & Innovation Resources

ReportS

Innovative, Sustainable, Resilient: Forest Products Association Of Canada Recommendations From Canada’s Forest Sector To Drive Economic Recovery and A Net-Zero Carbon Future

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Canada’s Bioeconomy Strategy: Leveraging our Strengths for a Sustainable Future

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Tackle Climate Change: Use Wood

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Suggested Content

March 29, 2022

Forestry Sees Opportunities in Emissions Reduction Plan

We will continue to work closely with the federal government on forestry solutions related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, wildland fire mitigation plans, and national adaptation strategies.

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March 21, 2022

Canada’s Forestry Sector Launches National Award to Celebrate Innovation

On the United Nations International Day of Forests, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has launched a new national award to recognize youth leadership and innovation in the forest sector.

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December 23, 2021

Seeing the Opportunity in Canada’s Forests: Looking Ahead to 2022

that Canada’s forests, manufacturing facilities, forest products, and Canadian forestry know-how give our country an advantage that is the envy of most countries on the planet. Let’s use it.

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October 28, 2021

International Wood Manifesto Launches in Advance of COP26

Growing Canada’s low-carbon future by building with wood.

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The Facts

Mass timber construction can be completed 25% faster, can reduce carbon pollution during construction by 25% to 45%, and requires less energy to heat and cool, allowing us to build greener, more resilient communities.

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Today almost 60% of Canada’s forest industry runs on bioenergy, and the number is growing!

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Sugar streams generated from wood can be used in a range of bio-plastics for example medical applications such as bone implants.

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Forest fibre can now be found in your HD TV set, in rayon shirts and dresses, in pharmaceuticals, and even ice cream.

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Since 2018, the sector has invested more than $750 million across 90 projects to help advance the bioeconomy

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FPInnovations, one of the world’s largest forest research centres, estimates a single 100,000-square-foot wooden building is the equivalent of taking 1,400 cars off the road each year.

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Action

Join our community today!

Forests are complex ecosystems and they need to be monitored and taken care of – even more so when we consider their carbon-capture potential and the critical role they will play in defining our greener future. Our sector is ready to rise to that challenge. Join our community today to get updates on what you can do to support a growing, green economy, and a more inclusive, sustainable future for Canada.

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Over 2,500 Canadians have already joined our movement!