Barrette-Chapais, a Canadian wooden and vinyl fencing products subsidiary of Fenclo, Ltd., is planning to commit $70 million investment in a new manufacturing plant.
The new wood pellet plant, called Granule 777, will produce 210,000 metric tons of wood pellets per year, primarily for export and to provide market alternatives for residuals. The majority of the pellet plant supply will come from sawmill by-products, but residual forest biomass could also be used.
Barrette-Chapais intends to promote its by-products, and also other opportunities based on market dynamics. Natural Resources Canada has invested $15 million in the project on top of the $70 million, and Canada Economic Development has announced a $5 million repayable contribution. The Quebec government is also investing $7 million.
Barrette-Chapais began constructing the new pellet plant last August. The plant is expected to produce its first pellets by the end of July 2019 and create around 40 jobs, 20 at the mill and 20 in transportation.