©BMI Group

BMI Group and Ecostrat are partnering to get former pulp and paper mills across Canada ready for new biomass projects. In a March 12 news release, the firms announced they are looking to establish some of the properties as Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zones to attract investment at former pulp mills across the country owned by BMI. Through the BDO Zone process, properties are evaluated on criteria that makes them appealing for bio-based development. That could include producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies. Regions that score high in the system receive a BDO Zone rating, which identifies them as being “optimal” areas for bio-based development. Communities can then use that rating in economic development and marketing activities.