PyroGenesis Inc. and Innofibre – Centre d’innovation des produits cellulosiques have launched a collaborative project aimed at converting contaminated biomass into synthesis gas (syngas), supporting efforts to advance low-carbon technologies and expand biomass utilisation.
The project was announced on June 17 and forms part of Innofibre’s newly launched pilot and pre-commercial facility valued at $14 million in Quebec.
Innofibre, a College Centre for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT) affiliated with the Cégep de Trois-Rivières, focuses on innovation for the paper, biorefining and biomass sectors. The newly opened centre is described as the only facility of its kind in North America capable of operating under conditions that replicate industrial-scale production.
The facility has been designed to accelerate the development and commercial deployment of technologies linked to forestry and agricultural biomass, including bio-based products, biomaterials, biochar, waste recovery, decarbonisation and resource reuse.
As part of the project, PyroGenesis supplied a system that converts contaminated biomass into syngas using high-temperature waste-to-energy gasification technology.
Biomass includes organic material sourced from plants and animals, such as wood chips, pellets, firewood and agricultural residues. The project also expands the use of contaminated biomass, including materials containing paint, solvents, melamine and other substances that may enter biomass streams through disposal or recycling processes.
According to the company, the technology treats contaminants during the gasification process and converts the material into syngas that can be used for electricity generation or as a feedstock for products including chemicals, fertilisers, methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels such as renewable diesel and gasoline.
Supporters of the initiative say increasing the use of biomass-derived syngas can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to broader decarbonisation goals.
The facility’s official inauguration was attended by Jean Boulet, Quebec’s Minister of Labour and Member of the National Assembly for Trois-Rivières, representatives from Canada Economic Development and Fonds du Grand Mouvement Desjardins, as well as Innofibre General Manager Jean-Philippe Jacques.
Representing PyroGenesis at the event were members of its engineering and thermal plasma teams involved in the project.
PyroGenesis President and Chief Executive Officer P. Peter Pascali said the new centre is expected to support the commercialisation of Quebec-developed technologies for the bioeconomy, forestry and decarbonisation sectors while helping bring new solutions to wider markets.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen innovation in biomass processing and support the development of cleaner industrial and energy systems.
