Port Alberni mill receives $4.5M to begin producing food packaging
A longstanding paper mill in Port Alberni, B.C., will begin making food grade paper for the first time in its decades-long history.
Since 1946, the Catalyst Port Alberni mill has produced mostly printing and writing grade paper.
However, the company says demand for those types of products has been steadily declining over the years.
"Transitioning to food grade papers means meeting growing market demand, providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic serving containers, and advancing B.C.’s circular economy," said Catalyst's parent company, Paper Excellence, in a release Wednesday.
The company adds that it will use a "unique" pulping technique that it developed that will reduce waste when making the new food packaging paper.
Paper Excellence is receiving $4.5 million from the federal government's Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to update some if its equipment to make the new product.
IFIT is designed to provide capital funding to Canadian forestry companies to diversify the products and "ensure industry competitiveness," according to Paper Excellence.
The Catalyst Port Alberni mill employs 310 people full time on Vancouver Island, according to the company, which says the mill also creates 800 indirect jobs in B.C.
The mill also contributes $500 million to the B.C. economy annually, and pays about $4.1 million in local taxes each year, the company says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Stranded orca calf swims out of B.C. lagoon where she was trapped for weeks
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.