Investments in Forest Industry Transformation

Program description

The Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program aims to support Canada’s forest sector in becoming more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable through targeted investments in innovative technologies. Investments in Forest Industry Transformation will provide $100 million over four years for projects that implement new technologies leading to non-traditional high-value forest products and renewable energies.

Industry and governments agree that the way forward for Canada’s forest sector is through a combination of traditional and innovative forest products. By building on the success of previous federal investments in research and development, IFIT will ensure that promising breakthrough technologies in the forest sector continue to evolve towards full commercial viability.

The IFIT program’s second and final Call for Proposals, which closed on September 28th, 2011 received a total of 57 applications representing $1.2 billion in project proposals where the requested IFIT contributions amount to almost $300M. Overall, the number of applications, funding requests, geographical distribution and proposed technology areas were consistent with the strong response obtained through the program’s first call for proposals.

The response to the second Call for Proposals demonstrates, once again, significant appetite within the Canadian forestry sector for the implementation of highly innovative technologies in the areas of bio-energy, bio-chemicals, and new solid wood products.

Moving forward, we expect the IFIT program will be in a position to facilitate the implementation of many projects emerging from our second Call for Proposals, which will ultimately help to diversify the sector’s product mix and provide solid support for its ongoing transformation.

News releases

For any additional details or questions, please email the IFIT Program.