Andrew Snook
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Award-winning author of Remy Delemme Series, Dungeon Jest, and The Snookie-Cookie Crew and Founder of @CanIndiePubs
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Articles by Andrew Snook
Industry News Markets News Lumber prices flat on usual late summer slowdown
Business slowed down across the North American lumber market as summer vacations took precedence over working the phones. In the week ending August 07, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$516 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was up +$11, or +2%, from one month ago when it was $505.
Scott McPhee at Drax in Burns Lake: WPAC’s latest Safety Hero
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) is pleased to announce our latest Safety Hero, Scott McPhee, operations superintendent at Drax Burns Lake in B.C. Scott continually motivates his colleagues to work safely. Scott is a long-time champion for workplace safety. Before his current role, he served as HS&E Manager with Drax, building a foundation of safety leadership that continues to this day.
Cariboo Chilcotin forestry leaders unite around regional solutions
More than 60 leaders from forestry, Indigenous communities, government, and economic development convened in Williams Lake, B.C., on July 23, 2026, to discuss collaborative actions for the future of forestry in the Cariboo Chilcotin. The Cariboo Chilcotin Forestry Forum aimed to strengthen the forest economy, enhance wildfire resilience, and promote sustainable forest management.
Canton, S.D. issued BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for corn stover
The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, Ecostrat, and the BDO Zone Initiative have announced that Canton, S.D., has received South Dakota's first BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating. This rating signifies a robust feedstock supply and low default risk, covering a 75-mile radius around Canton. Key highlights include: Canton's rating indicates high viability for biobased industrial development due to its mature corn production system.
Industry News News Cleantech Canada News CHAR Tech provides update on GazoTech’s Bio-Methane Provence Project
CHAR Technologies Ltd. (CHAR Tech), a leader in sustainable biomass energy solutions, recently provided an update on the Bio-Méthane Provence (BMP) project in Gardanne, France, an industrial-scale high-temperature pyrolysis (HTP) project being developed by GazoTech SAS (GazoTech) under their ongoing technology collaboration with CHAR Tech. BMP has successfully concluded the Voluntary Preliminary Public Consultation supervised by France’s National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).
A siting method built for Nigeria’s maize belt could sharpen the case for Prairie straw-to-energy
Canadian Biomass readers know the country’s biomass sector overwhelmingly through wood: pellet mills, forestry residue, and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s growing export markets. Less examined, at least with the same degree of siting rigour applied to forestry biomass, is the substantial agricultural residue base sitting in the Prairie provinces — wheat and canola straw, in particular — much of which is still burned, baled for limited local use, or left in the field.
CHAR Tech provides update on GazoTech’s Bio-Methane Provence Project
CHAR Technologies Ltd. (CHAR Tech), a leader in sustainable biomass energy solutions, recently provided an update on the Bio-Méthane Provence (BMP) project in Gardanne, France, an industrial-scale high-temperature pyrolysis (HTP) project being developed by GazoTech SAS (GazoTech) under their ongoing technology collaboration with CHAR Tech. BMP has successfully concluded the Voluntary Preliminary Public Consultation supervised by France’s National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).
A pathway to support the expected demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
FutureMetrics is not expert in the SAF markets. We depend on third-party research to gain our understanding of current and future demand. However, FutureMetrics is an expert at the supply of upgraded biomass-derived feedstocks, which will be used in the most promising pathway for production of SAF to meet future demand: the Fischer-Tropsch conversion of biogenic carbon into hydrocarbons.
Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation wins CCIB Indigenous Small Business Award
July 23, 2026 By Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Percy Guichon, CEO of CCR. Photos: CCR. Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) is proud to share that it has been named the recipient of the Indigenous Small Business Award from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB). The award recognizes CCR’s leadership in Indigenous-led forestry, forest rehabilitation, wildfire risk reduction, fibre utilization, and community-based economic development in the Cariboo Chilcotin.
Carrier Forest Products curtails Big River mill, affecting 117 employees
Carrier Forest Products Ltd. announced Thursday it will indefinitely curtail production at its Big River sawmill beginning Oct. 16, citing weak lumber markets, reduced timber supply and rising financing costs. The Carrier Forest Products’ July 16 statement said approximately 117 employees will be affected by the decision. Limited operations will continue until the end of January 2027 to allow for an orderly shutdown of the facility.
Industry News Markets News Dual national holidays bring usual lull to lumber sales
Most lumber commodities and plywood showed sustained price momentum even in the face of dual national holiday celebrations in Canada and the U.S. In the week ending July 03, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$500 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week when it was $500, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was up +$5, or +1%, from one month ago when it was $495.
Solutions in Storage is now live!
July 8, 2026 By Staff Report Canadian Biomass’ Solutions in Storage eBook is now live! Solutions in Storage covers important issues such as: Controlling self-heating in pellets Managing silo size and humidity key to controlling self-heating in pellets. Why is DHA so important? Dust mitigation expert Diane Cave discusses the importance of dust hazard assessments. Automated stacking and reclaiming the smarter way to handle biomass in Canadian woodyards Your challenge is clear.
Innofibre collaborates with PyroGenesis to convert biomass into syngas
Innofibre Centre d’innovation des produits cellulosiques, a paper and biorefining-focused College Centre for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT) at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières in Quebec, is working with PyroGenesis to convert contaminated biomass into synthetic gas (syngas), to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Resounding support for Forest Sector Transformation Task Force report
If you’ve lived in Canada for any significant duration of time, you know that the provincial, territorial and federal governments don’t always get along. With a wide array of needs affecting every province and territory in this amazing country, it’s not surprising that leaders in every region have different ideas on how to improve the lives of their citizens.
Airex Energy appoints Frédéric Pinard as chief operating officer
Airex Energy is pleased to announce the appointment of Frédéric Pinard as chief operating officer. In this role, he joins the executive team to lead the company’s operational strategy and support the industrial scale-up of its biocharcoal and biochar technologies.
Industry News Markets News Policies AFPA: Building a stronger future for Canadian forestry
The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the critical measures announced today by Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, to provide the stability, competitiveness, and certainty needed to support forestry-dependent communities across the country for the long-haul.
Partnering forestry with the steel industry
June 3, 2026 By Peter Saunders, Pulp & Paper Canada Graeme Scott. Photo: Peter Saunders. Graeme Scott, programme leader at ArcelorMittal, which manufactures more than 100 grades of Dofasco steel in Hamilton, shared insights at the recent Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) Convention about partnership opportunities between the two industries.
Industry News News CHAR Tech announces new CFO and incoming board members
CHAR Tech has announced that Kevin Melnyk has joined the company as its chief financial officer. Melnyk is an accomplished financial executive with deep expertise in M&A, capital structuring, and renewable energy infrastructure finance. He brings extensive senior leadership experience from Clearlight Energy, Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., and PRIVEQ Capital Funds, and holds CFA and CPA,CA designations alongside a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Manitoba.
The state of Canada’s biomass sector, Part 2: Managing feedstock supply
As part of this year’s celebration of the Canadian Biomass Awards, Canadian Biomass organized a roundtable discussion with the 2026 winners and tackled a wide array of topics affecting the biomass sector.
CHAR Tech announces new CFO and incoming board members
CHAR Tech has announced that Kevin Melnyk has joined the company as its chief financial officer. Melnyk is an accomplished financial executive with deep expertise in M&A, capital structuring, and renewable energy infrastructure finance. He brings extensive senior leadership experience from Clearlight Energy, Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., and PRIVEQ Capital Funds, and holds CFA and CPA,CA designations alongside a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Manitoba.
FutureMetrics updates wood pellet trade flow Sankey chart
May 22, 2026 By FutureMetrics This interactive Sankey map by FutureMetrics shows global wood pellet trade in 2025. Click on any country in the list on the left of the map to see where that country’s pellet exports went or where their imports came from. The width of the arrows are proportional to the total tonnage exported or imported.
OFIA: Maximizing fibre utilization
From the square timber era to the rise of pulp and paper, the Ottawa Valley has had more changes in the forest sector than almost any other region. Many of its mills trace their roots to those early days, remaining today as the country’s oldest continuously operating businesses. That legacy of change continues, as the region unlocks its diverse forest resources to advance full fibre utilization and unlock new opportunities in a growing bioeconomy.
Industry News News Harvesting Forestry Management FESBC announces new knowledge exchange specialist role
The Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP) and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) have a new partnership focused on funding projects that develop new practices and information to help benefit future practitioners of forestry in B.C. Together, they are hiring a knowledge exchange specialist who will help connect forestry specific knowledge to forest management practice by leading activities and the co-creation of products for various jointly-funded projects.
Ontario investing $10 million in Georgia-Pacific North Woods
Ontario’s Ministry of Forestry and Forest Products will invest $10 million in the Georgia-Pacific North Woods facility in Englehart to support a $191-million upgrade of the oriented strand board (OSB) plant. The investment aims to enhance competitiveness in the forestry sector, according to Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland. The modernization project will protect 220 forestry jobs and create hundreds of indirect positions.
Features Industry News Markets News Policies SFI discusses challenging times and new opportunities for forest products sector
A panel discussion about forest products sector challenges on both sides of the border took centre stage during the 2026 Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Annual Conference in Montreal.
OFIA discusses unlocking opportunities in the forest bioeconomy
Maryam Arefmanesh, the new director of energy, innovation and manufacturing at the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA), addressed the annual convention on April 29, highlighting opportunities in the forest bioeconomy. Arefmanesh, a chemical engineer with experience in forest biomass valorization, aims to advance OFIA’s biomass energy directive and streamline environmental permits.
Emissions Reduction Alberta commits $50 million to annual Industrial Transformation Challenge
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is allocating $50 million through its annual Industrial Transformation Challenge to support the development and deployment of innovative technologies that bolster the competitiveness of Alberta’s industrial and natural resources sectors while reducing emissions and improving environmental performance.
WPAC: Strength through unity
Canada’s wood pellet sector is recognized around the world for its quality, sustainability and reliability. This position is no accident. It is supported by coordinated industry efforts through the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC), the sector’s national voice. We are a member‑driven organization and the unified voice of Canada’s world‑leading pellet industry. We represent more than 50 producers and industry participants from coast to coast.
Industry News Markets News Lumber sales remain low on slow construction activity
Lumber demand continued to be broadly supply-driven, with limited availability propping up prices even as many buyers took the week to step back, digest, and reassess. In the week ending April 17, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
Montreal Wood Convention panel discusses housing starts, mass timber, R&R market, and tariffs
The Montreal Wood Convention played host to a thought-provoking industry leaders panel that tackled key topics such as U.S. housing starts, mass timber, the R&R market, and more.
Lumber prices bump up as spring begins to materialize
In the week ending April 3, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm. This was up +$5, or +1%, from the previous week when it was $485, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was up +$18, or +4%, from one month ago when it was $472. Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$545 mfbm, that week’s price was down -$55, or -10%.
World first: SUBLIME Energie liquefies all biogas directly on the farm
SUBLIME Energie has inaugurated in Plélo (Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany, France) its demonstrator “Charlie,” the world’s first system capable of liquefying biogas directly on the farm. For the first time, on-farm anaerobic digestion can produce a renewable fuel without relying on gas grid infrastructure. By densifying and enabling the transport of biogas produced on-site—using a model inspired by the traditional milk collection system—the startup is deploying a decentralized industrial model.
Industry News News FPAC’s Indigenous Awards of Excellence application/nomination period now open
The Forest Products Association of Canada’s (FPAC) 2026 Indigenous Awards of Excellence are now open for nominations and/or applications. Canadian forestry is one of the largest employers of Indigenous peoples and home to over 1,400 Indigenous-owned forestry businesses. Indigenous peoples now directly control 10 per cent of the national wood supply and play a leading role in the sector through joint ventures, contracting, cooperative agreements, and collaborative initiatives across the country.
Cascades sells Kamouraska and Témiscouata forests to Solifor
April 1, 2026 By Peter Saunders, Pulp & Paper Canada Private forest property manager Solifor has acquired Cascades’ 10,500 acres of lands in Kamouraska and Témiscouata, Que., for $20 million. Through a new strategic partnership agreement, the development of these lands in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region will continue, helping to secure a long-term supply for Cascades’ Cabano plant (pictured), which manufactures corrugated cardboard from virgin and recycled fibres for the packaging market.
Gorman Group acquires $120-million tenure transfer in Okanagan from Weyerhaeuser
B.C. Minster of Forests Ravi Parmar has approved a $120-million tenure transfer from Weyerhaeuser to the Gorman Group. The news follows the May 2025 announcement by Weyerhaeuser of the sale of its Princeton, B.C. mill to the Gorman Group, which was finalized this past September.
Permitting progress update on Tigercat 6040 Carbonizer
March 25, 2026 By Matt O’Connor, Carbonizer product specialist, Tigercat Industries Carbonizer product specialist Matt O’Connor provides an update on permitting progress in the U.S. for the 6040 carbonizer Key to simplifying the permitting process for the Tigercat 6040 in the US is recognition by government agencies that the wood debris feedstock is a process ingredient, that the process generates very low emissions, and that the 6040 produces a useful product. Photo: Tigercat Industries.
Atlantic Canada’s energy future depends on regional collaboration
The Atlantica Centre for Energy is supporting the newly released report, An Atlantic Canadian Energy Future, developed for the Atlantic Energy Collective, a pan-Atlantic initiative representing more than 30 organizations across utilities, Indigenous partners, industry, labour, research institutions, and national energy policy organizations.
CHAR Tech provides commissioning update on Thorold Renewable Energy Facility
CHAR Technologies Ltd. (CHAR Tech) has provided a further update on commissioning activities at its Thorold Renewable Energy Facility, following the company’s January 29, 2026, announcement that staged startup had commenced at the site. Installation of the core high temperature pyrolysis (HTP) system continues to advance, with the kiln chamber now fully assembled and burner walls welded in place.
FPAC: Municipal procurement holds the power to help buy Canadian
Forestry is more than just an industry; it is the lifeblood of some 300 Canadian communities. The forests that blanket our vast country are not only a source of natural beauty and recreation, but also the foundation for local jobs, economic growth, and efficient development. Every dollar spent on wood procurement is a direct investment in our neighbours, small businesses, and Canadian prosperity.
Ecostrat and BMI Group launch collaboration for conversion of legacy pulp and paper assets
Ecostrat Inc. and the BMI Group recently announced a collaboration to leverage BDO Zone ratings to ‘ready-state’ BMI’s legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation investment in the bioeconomy. The collaboration will use BDO Zone ratings to advance the development of multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties.
Industry News New Gear News Weaver Auctions joins the Euro Auctions Canadian network, strengthening Western Canada’s equipment marketplace
Weaver Auctions, a respected Western Canadian auction house, has officially joined Euro Auctions, the leading auctioneers in Europe of construction, agricultural and industrial equipment. The acquisition marks a significant step in Euro Auctions expansion across Canada, enhancing services for customers in Alberta, British Columbia and beyond.
Enhancing the pulp and paper industry through energy efficiency
The Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada’s (PAPTAC’s) 2026 PaperWeek virtual conference opened last month with a Biofor/Energy Joint Session on enhancing the industry’s competitiveness through efficiency measures. (Biofor, by way of explanation, is a portion of the conference focusing on “bio-based solutions for the forest products industry” and opportunities across the bioeconomy.) The Feb.
UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship launches new podcast
The UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has launched “The Root of It” podcast. The podcast offers conversations with researchers, students, practitioners, and community leaders about redefining how to understand and care for forests. Topics include climate solutions, innovative technologies, Indigenous stewardship, and more. Listen to the podcast here.
Industry News News UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship launches new podcast
The UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship has launched “The Root of It” podcast. The podcast offers conversations with researchers, students, practitioners, and community leaders about redefining how to understand and care for forests. Topics include climate solutions, innovative technologies, Indigenous stewardship, and more. Listen to the podcast here.
Strengthening safety culture: WPAC Safety Committee 2026-2028 Work Plan
For over a decade, the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) Safety Committee has worked to keep our industry safer. The Committee focuses on activities that continue to improve collective safety performance, earn trust from regulators and the public and foster a stronger safety culture among WPAC members. Recognizing that safety is not an annual event, there are always initiatives just starting, underway, and almost complete. The WPAC Safety Committee 2026-2028 Work Plan reflects this value.
Building a wildfire business case for biomass harvesting
Following the 2023 record-breaking year of extreme wildfires across Canada, the topic of how to best manage wildfires came to the forefront for many organizations within Canada’s forest products sector, as well as all levels of government.
Maintaining grinders and chippers
When it comes to maintaining grinders and chippers, it all comes down to adhering to a proper maintenance schedule. “Every day you want to inspect your grinders. You’re going to inspect the hammer tips, the grate liners, the anvil. I think most have rotor wear blocks on both sides of the rotor to keep it centered. You want to make sure they’re not worn. Also, tracks, undercarriage and the discharge belt,” says Chris McMillan, marketing technical writer for Tigercat Industries.
Next generation of Swaan family joins FutureMetrics
FutureMetrics is proud to announce the addition of Darren Swaan to its team of experts. Darren is a pellet manufacturing project management specialist who has over 20 years of experience delivering large-scale industrial wood pellet projects from concept through commissioning.
CCI BioEnergy selects Arcadis as design-engineer partner under Master Service Agreement
Arcadis is recently announced its partnership with CCI BioEnergy under a multi-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) to provide engineering and detailed design services.
Editorial: Belledune project could be a major boon for local pellet producers
Canada’s wood pellet producers are always on the lookout for new opportunities to expand their footprints in the global marketplace. While Japan, the U.K., and the EU continue to offer significant opportunities to producers, the announcement of a new project closer to home could offer the greatest opportunity for a company willing to take on some additional risk.
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