Kruger Inc. invests $23.75 million in carbon capture technology at its Wayagamack Mill

Kruger Inc. has announced an investment of $23.75 million to implement a pioneering carbon capture and reuse project at its Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Canada. The initiative was presented during an event attended by officials such as François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Jean Boulet, Québec’s Minister of Labour and the minister responsible for the Mauricie region.

The project is being developed in partnership with Mantel Capture Inc., a U.S.-based start-up founded by engineers and scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This collaboration adds $6.1 million to the project and will employ a next-generation absorption fluid, molten borate salt, capable of operating at temperatures up to 600°C, ensuring both efficiency and energy sustainability. This innovative system will be tested for the first time in an industrial environment at the Kruger Wayagamack pulp and paper mill.

With financial support from the governments of Canada and Québec, the project received $8.15 million through the Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program and $9.5 million from the Technoclimat program, which supports technological solutions to reduce emissions. The technology is energy-efficient, capturing carbon while generating clean steam that will be reintegrated into the papermaking process. The goal is to capture up to 5 tons of high-quality CO2 per day.

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, underscored the impact of ongoing government support for the forest sector in Québec, emphasizing investments that champion innovation and sustainability. “Through our Investment in Forest Industry Transformation program, we are continuing to support Québec’s forest sector to implement innovative technologies that increase efficiency and capacity, lower emissions and create good, sustainable jobs. Today’s investment is an excellent example of how we can continue to reduce emissions while helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of Canada’s forestry sector”, said Wilkinson.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice-Champlain highlighted the significance of the initiative: “Canada’s forest sector provides economic opportunity and secure livelihoods for Canadians in communities right across the country. By investing in the Kruger Wayagamack facility in Trois-Rivières, we are ensuring that local communities continue to reap the benefits of the sustainable use of Canada’s forest resources”.

Benoît Charette, Québec’s Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, also commented: “Innovation is an indispensable ally for the climate and energy transition, and in Québec, we are fortunate to have committed businesses that use their expertise to improve their environmental footprint. We are pleased to support the development of effective technological solutions to meet our climate goals, including net-zero emissions by 2050”.

Jean Boulet, Member of the National Assembly for Trois-Rivières, emphasized the regional impact: “I am proud to see businesses in the Mauricie region take part in Québec’s fight against climate change. This project is in line with our government’s vision to support innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency for a more prosperous Québec”.

From the industry perspective, Justin Paillé, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at Kruger Pulp and Paper, celebrated the initiative’s potential.  “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of testing this promising new technology, which has the potential to help us, as well as the entire manufacturing sector, achieve our goal of decarbonizing our operations. This project underscores Kruger’s commitment to intensifying its efforts to improve its environmental footprint and promote more sustainable prosperity”, Paillé concluded.