Forest Biomass Program

The Ontario Forest Biomass Program seeks to engage a diverse array of stakeholders in its mission to promote the sustainable use of forest biomass and the development of Ontario's bioeconomy. Here's a breakdown of the eligible applicants for each program stream:

1. Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships (IBP) Stream:

   • Indigenous communities
   • Indigenous not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses (51% or greater control and ownership by an Indigenous community or communities, organization, or person(s))

2. Exploring Biomass Pathways (EBP) Stream:

   • For-profit organizations
   • Not-for-profit organizations
   • Businesses in earlier phases of exploring the potential use of forest biomass in Ontario

3. Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing (IBM) Stream:

   • For-profit companies operating in Ontario that produce bioproducts in an existing facility using forest biomass, or will adopt the use of forest biomass in their bioproducts production
   • Canadian not-for-profit organizations that can help facilitate investments in Ontario’s forest bioeconomy

4. Modernization (MOD) Stream:

   • Existing wood products manufacturing facilities operating in Ontario
   • Facilities playing a key role in regional harvesting and/or supply chains
   • Facilities currently consuming significant quantities of forest biomass (mill residues and/or forest biofibre) as a primary feedstock

The Ontario Forest Biomass Program aims to support a diverse range of projects that contribute to the sustainable utilization of forest biomass and the growth of Ontario's bioeconomy. Here's a breakdown of the eligible projects under each stream:

1. Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships (IBP) Stream:

   • Studies, plans, evaluations, assessments, or related activities to identify or develop economic or business opportunities utilizing forest biomass.
   • Strategic, business, human resources, marketing, and financial planning or community economic development planning.
   • Development or expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships, or businesses.
   • Capacity development and training.
   • Development of tools, technology, products, services, and systems.
   • Engineering design, environmental planning and permitting, or other project design activities.
   • Site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up and expansion of operations.

2. Exploring Biomass Pathways (EBP) Stream:

   • Engineering and feasibility studies.
   • Pre-commercial and commercial scientific trials.
   • Operational and technical requirement assessments for projects that use forest biomass as a primary feedstock.

3. Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing (IBM) Stream:

   • Increasing the regional use of forest biomass through the adoption of new or innovative technology or process.
   • Providing realistic prospects for near-term technology deployment and commercialization of new or innovative technology or process using forest biomass.
   • Integrating forest biomass into new sectors of the economy through pre-processing of material to create usable feedstocks for manufacturing, infrastructure, or resource extraction.

4. Modernization (MOD) Stream:

   • Developing a modernization plan that results in supply chain and process-based improvements that maintain or increase the use of forest biomass and modernize key aspects of facility operations.