In Canada, Arbios Biotech (Arbios), and the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, have announced the naming of the planned Arbios commercial-scale biofuels facility in Prince George, British Columbia (BC). It has been named Arbios Biotech Chuntoh Ghuna and means “The Forest Lives.”
Arbios Biotech (Arbios) is a joint venture between Australia-headed bioprocess technology developer Licella Holdings Ltd (Licella), and Canadian Forest Products Ltd, part of the forest industry major Canfor Corporation (Canfor).
Arbios will utilize Licella’s proprietary hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology – Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) platform – to produce a low-carbon biocrude from which low-carbon transportation fuels and chemicals can be produced.
In October 2021, Arbios made a final investment decision (FID) to proceed with the development of commercial-scale biomass to biocrude plant in Prince George.
The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and Arbios Biotech have been working in close partnership to develop the facility, including the site preparation.
Having a plant name in Lheidli T’enneh’s dialect, Dakelh, has great significance for our Nation members, said Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
The facility is located on the unceded and traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh.
It demonstrates an observance of our ancestral lands and culture and shows that it is possible for Indigenous communities and industry to work in harmony towards environmentally sound and mutually beneficial objectives. We are excited to be involved in a project that aligns with our environmental goals, Chief Dolleen Logan said.
A phased approach is being taken for the development of Arbios Biotech Chuntoh Ghuna, which will initially consist of one processing line.
We are honoured and delighted that the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation has named our first commercial-scale facility, said Alan Nicholl, President, and CEO, Arbios Biotech.
Using the innovative Cat-HTR process, it will convert 25 000 dry tonnes of woody biomass including sawmill wood residue into 50 000 barrels of sustainable bio-oil per annum, producing a direct substitute for fossil crude oil.
We are pleased with the support and collaborative approach the Nation has taken with respect to this project. We look forward to continuing to work together as we strategically use our resources to bridge to a lower carbon future and use advanced technology to drive higher environmental and economic value from lower value residues, Alan Nicholl said.
As an important step toward increasing the availability of low-carbon transportation fuels, the project is receiving strong support from both federal and provincial government programs.
These include:
- credits under BC’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act;
- funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC);
- funding from BC Ministry of Energy and Mines and Low Carbon Innovation’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund;
- funding from the Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRC) Clean Growth Program.
