Earlier today in Montreal, FPInnovations announced the successful completion of Phase 1 in the development of a safe, locally produced, single-use face mask that is 100% biodegradable.
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) applauds this important milestone which will allow us to create Canadian made Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and reduce waste in our environment.
The following is a statement from FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor:
“When President Trump moved to block that shipment of medical masks at our shared border in early April, it was a call to action about how we need to continue to stick to our principles of supporting free and fair trade, but at the same time we must do more to leverage our natural resources and Canadian innovation to be more self-sufficient – to find Canadian made solutions for Canadians.
Canada’s forests are among the best managed in the world and we have an opportunity before us to do more with this valuable and renewable resource. Whether it’s biodegradable masks, sanitary products, toilet paper, lumber and wood building materials, or forest-based biofuels and biomaterials, there is tremendous potential in Canada’s forests.
Canadian forestry workers and Canadian made forest products can bring greater health, environmental, and economic benefits to Canadians. This is especially important as we work to do our part to create job opportunities and spur economic recovery in the face of the biggest health and economic crisis of our lifetimes.
Today’s announcement highlights a couple of important things that have been hiding in plain sight – the potential of Canadian innovators like FPInnovations and the deep talent we have in this country to do some pretty creative things; and the power of Canada’s forests and forestry workers to do even more to provide real solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our country.”
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FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $73.6-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 12 per cent of Canada’s manufacturing GDP and is one of Canada’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing 230,000 direct jobs, and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country.
For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications
e : kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
t : 613-563-1441 ext. 314
Follow us on Twitter: @FPAC_APFC
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