Renfrew County issued BDO Zone 'AA' rating for woody biomass

The BDO Zone Initiative has issued a BDO Zone ‘AA’ rating for Renfrew County, Ontario for 485,000 green metric tons per year of woody biomass.

April 17, 2024

AA’ Rating to Drive Woody Biomass Utilization and Strengthen Forestry Operations

The County of Renfrew and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone Rating for Woody Biomass. The Zone is centred in Pembroke, Ontario, and is the province’s first ‘AA’ rating for Pulpwood.

Renfrew County’s BDO Zone ‘AA’ rating denotes very high prospective viability of feedstock supply chain and infrastructure, and very low expectations of default risk in the Zone. They indicate very strong ongoing capacity of the region to support new biobased plant operations. The Zone features an ample supply of pulpwood and offers a strategic advantage in transportation costs over most competitors due to close proximity to major sawmill clusters around Pembroke. The Zone predominantly consists of public forests adhering to rigorous certification and strict ecological guidelines, ensuring a sustainable wood supply from certified forests.

David Wybou, Business Development Officer, County of Renfrew stated, “Forestry has always been a foundational pillar within Renfrew County and we are eager to engage with biobased companies to expand and diversify our biomass into new markets. We take great pride in the sustainable management of our forests and the BDO Zone rating underscores our commitment to advancing biobased economic development and fostering job creation.”

Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative added, “Building on their rich history of sustainable forestry through generations, Renfrew County’s ‘AA’ rating position them as a frontrunner in the province. The rating will serve to unlock new markets and opportunities for woody biomass utilization, and spur biobased economic growth for the region.”

To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Renfrew County, Ontario please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.

BDO Zone project development support:

David Wybou
Business Development Officer
County of Renfrew
613-735-0091 ext. 432

About the County of Renfrew

Renfrew County, Ontario's largest, spans 7,645 sq. km and houses a population of 108,000, with Pembroke serving as its central hub. It strategically connects to Trans-Canada Highway 17 and Highway 41, facilitating efficient supply chain logistics. The county features industrial zones like the TransCan Corporate Park and McCool Business Park, offering competitive land pricing, ideal for bio-based projects.

Renfrew County is dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders to advance biobased initiatives in the BDO Zone, fostering sustainable economic development and clean energy job creation. Its economy thrives on foundational sectors such as forestry and agriculture, alongside key establishments like Garrison Petawawa and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Additionally, diverse sectors including aerospace, defense, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism contribute to its vibrant economic landscape. 

About The BDO Zone Initiative

The BDO Zone Initiative certifies regional readiness for bio-based manufacturing, creates global connections with project developers, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities.

A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized standards-based technical risk assessment of biomass feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential of new biofuel, renewable chemical, biogas, and bioproduct plants. Investment grade ratings attract new bio-based manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed-- and create jobs. 

For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org.  Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.

Jordan Solomon is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com). He can be reached at jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com. Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance.