Studies look at biodiesel in Ontario

Web exclusive posted March 24, 2009, at 4:42 p.m. CST

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. has awarded $13,750 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. to look at the feasibility of developing oilseed crops-such as canola and soybeans-for the production of biodiesel in the Sault St. Marie, Ontario, region. The study will look at establishing an oilseed crushing facility and biorefinery. The development corporation has also received funds to study the feasibility of fiber crops-such as industrial hemp-for the production of paper and textiles.

According to the NOHFC, the 2006 census reported a total of 2,479 farms in northern Ontario, including 335 in the District of Algoma near Sault Ste. Marie. Hay is by far Algoma's major field crop, the NOHFC said, followed by barley and oats.

The major oilseed crops grown in Canada are soybeans, sunflowers, canola and flax.

"By investing in this study, we are helping make a better-informed decision on the economic feasibility of launching new cash crops in the Algoma region," said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and chair of NOHFC.

In November, FedNor, a federal regional development organization in Ontario, awarded $105,000 to SITTM Technologies Inc. of Sault Ste. Marie to develop an automated, small-scale commercial device for producing biodiesel.

In southern Ontario, a new report by the Western Organization of Resource Councils titled "Homegrown Prosperity from the Bottom Up" includes a case study of prospective Hillsburgh, Ontario, biodiesel producer Everpure Biodiesel Cooperative, a joint venture between the Everdale Organic Farm & Environmental Learning Center, the Power Up! Renewable Energy Co-op (PURE), and a local farmer, Jay Mowat. According to the report, the Everpure cooperative intends to crush locally grown oilseeds, including canola and soy, and supply the vegetable oil to local restaurants and food processors. The cooperative will then collect the used vegetable oil and processes it into biodiesel, which will then be sold to members of the cooperative.