New vocation for vacant Thurso pulp mill: biocarbon project after 5-year closure 

Sophie Demers

The former pulp mill in Thurso was lively on September 9 for the official launch of Évolys, the company who will be taking over the industrial site. Évolys was created by Canadian mining giant Rio Tinto and American company, Aymium, with the goal of accelerating decarbonisation in the metal industry. Specifically, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions created by Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium facilities. The existing Fortress pulp mill buildings will be redeveloped to build a new renewable metallurgical biocarbon plant using forest residues.

Évolys aims to be operational in 2025. It will create over 30 permanent jobs, and an additional 50 jobs for construction. This is welcome news for Thurso which took major losses when the Fortress pulp mill closed five years ago.

“These last five years have not been easy for the community. They have not been easy for families,” said Thurso Mayor, Benoit Lauzon. “Families who have been forced to move to continue working. We hope to see them come back home in the next few years, to come and work on this new site here with the Évolys company.”

The first phase of the operations consists of a $50 million investment. The initial capacity will be 50,000 tonnes of biocarbon annually. In terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions this represents taking 30,000 cars off the road.

“In collaboration with Évolys Québec, our government is breathing new life into these facilities of great importance to Thurso and the surrounding area. The project will create jobs for the people of Papineau and stimulate our local economy. I'm very proud of the work accomplished over the past few years to revive this industrial site, to the benefit of the entire Outaouais region.” said Mathieu Lacombe, MNA for Papineau, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region.

The Évolys project helps Rio Tinto’s goal of being at net zero carbon emission by 2050. This also reflects the Quebec government's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050 as well.

Biocarbon is created using biomass, Évolys plans to partner with the local forestry industry for their biomass supply which will consist of pulp quality round wood, forest residues, and saw mill residues. This will support the existing industries in the region.

“This project is much more than an industrial revival. It symbolizes our ability to evolve towards a more sustainable future and to preserve quality jobs. The forestry industry is thus coming back to life. This is therefore good news for Thurso and for the entire ecosystem because jobs will be secured in our city and everywhere in Outaouais,” said Lauzon. “The creation of Évolys is perfectly in line with the vision we have of our territory.”

Rio Tinto is a mining giant in Canada they produce aluminum, titanium dioxide, iron ore, diamonds, and scandium as well as operating eight hydroelectric power plants, and two research centers.

Aymium produces biocarbon that can be used to replace fossil fuels specifically in the production of metals, energy, for agriculture, and air and water purification. The company is based in the United States.

Photo: Provincial and municipal government representatives along with executives from Rio Tinto and Aymium at the September 9 official launch of Évolys in Thurso. From left to right, Sophie Bergeron, Executive Director of Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium and Diamonds; Benoit Lauzon, Mayor of Thurso and Warden of the Papineau MRC; Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth, Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and Member of the National Assembly for Papineau; Pierre Renaud, Mayor of Lochaber-Partie-Ouest; and James Mennel, Chief Executive Officer of Aymium.