Written by: Fatima Younes
Mondi Energy plans a $30 million investment to establish a renewable natural gas project in the industrial park in the city of Bécancour, aiming to convert forest waste into eco-friendly gas to be injected into the local energy distribution network. The project is planned to be implemented in two phases, the first of which begins with the installation of pilot equipment on a plot of land located near the highway, in preparation for the establishment of an integrated commercial plant at a later stage.
Pyrolysis technology for green fuel production
The project relies on an advanced technology known as pyrolysis, which is a process based on treating biomass to produce syngas. The project primarily seeks to produce renewable natural gas, in addition to testing the production of green diesel and sustainable aviation fuel on a pilot scale, which enhances the diversity of sustainable energy sources.
Project integration and future expansions
The industrial park already hosts another renewable natural gas project implemented by another entity; however, the two projects will not overlap due to the difference in supply sources. The current project relies on biomass and leftover wood, while the other project relies on the agricultural sector. The owning company plans to replicate this experiment on a large scale in the future to establish dozens of production complexes across the province of Quebec and Canada in general.
Implementation and recruitment plan
The project is expected to provide a limited number of job opportunities in its first phase, ranging from 7 to 10 jobs, with the initiative being fully implemented without any government financial aid. Timelines indicate that the start of construction work on the plant is likely by 2027, pending the completion of final agreements regarding gas supply with the relevant authorities in the energy sector.
