Major Projects
Consortium on Wood-based Composite Panels (CorePAN – Wood)
Titular: Alain Cloutier (UL)
Co-applicants: Véronic Landry (UL) and Ahmed Koubaa (UQAT)
Objective: The project aims to contribute to innovation and scientific advancement in the panel industry along three research axes (Raw material / Processes and adhesives / Products and markets) in response to the main challenges faced by the Canadian industry. Axis 1 aims to diversify the sources of raw material supply by using softwood for OSB and construction, renovation and demolition of wood residues, forest biomass as well as agricultural fibers for particleboard and MDF. Axis 2 aims to optimize processes (e.g., panel surface quality; improved heat transfer during hot pressing; reduced energy consumption, particle emissions, and volatile organic compounds) and the development of biobased adhesives. Axis 3 aims to develop prototype products such as structural composite panels with high thermal performance, panels resistant to biological degradation, and panels with stain-resistant and antimicrobial surfaces. The expected results will contribute to (1) the diversification of raw materials to ensure and increase Canadian panel production, to improve processes, and to offer high-performance products that meet current market trends and environmental constraints and (2) the training of highly qualified personnel to meet the high demand for specialized expertise in the sector.
This initiative involves two universities (Université Laval, Université du Québec en Abitibi -Témiscamingue) and seven partners (FPInnovations, SEREX, Conseil de l’industrie forestière du Québec via the Plateforme d’innovation panneaux of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts and four panel manufacturers: Produits forestiers Arbec, Sacopan, Tafisa Canada and Uniboard Canada).
The project has received $4,037,812 in funding over five years, of which $2,260,812 comes from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Alliance Grant Program, $1,000,000 from the Quebec Forest Industry Council via the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Panel Innovation Platform, and $777,000 from the other partner organizations.
https://corepanbois.ffgg.ulaval.ca/
Quebec Renewable Materials Innovation NetworkResearch
Director: Alexis Achim
Objective: The network constitutes a platform for exchanges between academic research and the environment using the results. The Network’s mission is to stimulate the process of innovation and technology transfer in the fields of the design, characterization, use and socio-environmental performance of renewable materials in Quebec.
CRSNG – Canlak industrial research chair in finishing interior wood products
Chairholder: Véronic Landry
Objectives: The CRSNG – Canlak industrial research chair in interior wood product finishing’s mission is to increase the use of interior wood appearance products by developing finishing products or densification processes to improve performance of these products or to provide them with new attributes.
Industrial Research Chair in Ecoresponsible Wood Construction (CIRCERB)
Chairholder: Pierre Blanchet
Objective: Position Canada as a world leader in environmentally responsible construction using innovative practices by establishing an industrial consortium to significantly influence reductions in carbon emissions.
Leadership Chair in Education in Sustainable Management of Private Forests
Chairholder: Maude Flamand-Hubert
Objective: Promote the sustainable management of private forests, by focusing on the training of the next generation and the development of skills.
- Improve the offer of courses related to the sustainable management of private forests
- Create innovative educational formulas adapted to the challenges of sustainable management of private forests
- Improve the communication skills of forestry students
- Develop a continuing education offer for stakeholders working in private forest land
- Provide graduate students with research training opportunities on the major issues of private forests
Made possible thanks to the financial support granted by the MFFP, the Federation of forest producers of Quebec, the company Domtar and the FFGG
Silva21
Leaders: Alexis Achim and Nicholas Coops (UBC)
Objective: An ambitious pan-Canadian research program to adapt silviculture to new climatic and environmental realities.
The project is funded with $5.5M over five years, of which $3.4M is from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Grants program. An amount of $2.1M from about fifteen public and private partners completes the funding.
Harnessing the potential of boreal forests against climate change
Leaders: Evelyne Thiffault and François Anctil (FSG)
Objective: Use the forest-product-market system to mitigate the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The project is supported by $8.2M in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Quebec government and numerous partners.