Domtar says its long-term goal in Kamloops is that wastewood can be brought to the mill economically.

Fibre manager Andrew Lavigne says right now it’s only economical to get some of that wastewood because of government funding, through the Forest Enhancement Society of B-C. The province has provided up to $1.25 million dollars for wastewood to be brought to Domtar, which would otherwise be burned in slash piles.  “We appreciate, as far as the opportunity with FESBC, to gain access to some funding, and have a project that we can be successful with.”

Lavigne says accessing that wood wouldn’t be economically viable right now otherwise. “In the near future, that’s the reality for sure. The goal would be in the long term that fibre is out there, and if it can be brought in to our facility in an economical manner, that’d be great.”

The mill needs 2.3 tonnes of fibre to make one ton of pulp, and he says it’s been trying to replace the loss of sawmills in Vavenby and Chasm. “We’ve been working very hard to source new fibre. That fibre does with an additional cost, because it is quite a bit more expensive than what you would see at residual sawmills. We have to continue to make sure we have the fibre we need.”

Lavigne says it’s been an adjustment for business, with mills in Vavenby and Chasm closing. “Up to this point, we haven’t had to take any curtailments. And we’re working hard to make sure the fibre that’s needed in this facility is in place.”