Forest Sector Innovation Target of Québec Funding

Innovation to promote regional economic growth

POINTE-CLAIRE, QC, Nov. 21, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - FPInnovations congratulates the Québec government for its foresight in contributing more than $320 million to ensure the continued development of new and innovative technologies in the province's forest sector. The announcement, made at the Rendez-vous national de la forêt québécoise in St. Félicien, Québec, will enable the sector to continue to develop technological breakthroughs that will strengthen and diversify the industry and provide jobs throughout the province.

"The forest sector, through investment in research and development, has made great strides in recent years, positioning it as a world leader in developing innovative solutions that go far beyond its traditional product mix", said Pierre Lapointe, President and CEO of FPInnovations. "This government's confidence in the future of the forest sector and the future of the regions dependent upon it, will ensure that it remains globally competitive and a significant contributor to Québec's economy."

The announcement in St. Félicien is in alignment with the Québec government's previously announced forest sector 2012-17 strategy as outlined in "La forêt, pour construire le Québec de demain" which seeks to create an innovative forest sector, one that will create economic benefits, sustainable employment, and a culture that favours the use of wood. The development strategy targeted three streams of activity: green construction, green energy and green chemistry.

FPInnovations is proud to be a partner in this development strategy. Past investment by the Québec government led to the construction of the world's first nanocrystaline cellulose commercial-scale production plant in Windsor, Québec. Operated under the name CelluForce, the plant is a joint venture between FPInnovations and Domtar Inc. In addition, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, with technical support from FPInnovations, developed a design guide for 6-storey residential wood construction in support of the green construction stream. Both projects, amongst others, are concrete examples of the benefits of investing in research and development leading to innovative applications that transform the sector and promote economic growth.

About FPInnovations
FPInnovations is a not-for-profit world leader that specializes in the creation of scientific solutions in support of the Canadian forest sector's global competitiveness and responds to the priority needs of its industry members and government partners. It is ideally positioned to perform research, innovate, and deliver state-of-the-art solutions for every area of the sector's value chain, from forest operations to consumer and industrial products. FPInnovations' staff numbers more than 525. Its R&D laboratories are located in Québec City, Ottawa, Montréal, Thunder Bay, Hinton and Vancouver, and it has technology transfer offices across Canada. For more information about FPInnovations, visit: www.fpinnovations.ca.

Image with caption: "FPInnovations (CNW Group/FPInnovations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131121_C9750_PHOTO_EN_33703.jpg

SOURCE: FPInnovations

For further information:

Terry Knee
FPInnovations
Communications Director
514 630-4115
[email protected]