Buchanan and Carbon Management

Each hectare of actively growing boreal forest has the ability to consume 170 tonnes of carbon each year to protect against global warming; however, without well-timed harvest and renewal of trees, this level of carbon sequestering is not possible.  Trees become a carbon source as they die and decompose or burn, which releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.

In the boreal forest, vigorously growing trees between the ages of 20 and 70 years have the ability to sequester carbon; trees beyond this age are carbon neutral and even begin to release carbon into the atmosphere.  Buchanan Forest Products regenerates 100 percent of the area it harvests each year; ensuring the areas return to active carbon sequestration.

Buchanan Sawmills are the largest lumber producers in Ontario.  By harvesting trees at the appropriate rotation age, the carbon stored in trees is transferred into lumber and continues to sequester the carbon for decades or even centuries.  Buchanan Forest Products implements effective and appropriate forest management practices to sequester carbon both in the forest and in the lumber they manufacture.

Buchanan Forest Products is an industry leader in harnessing the clean, renewable energy in forest biomass.  The pulp mill in Terrace Bay generates 20 megawatts of power by burning forest biomass in the co-generation steam turbine.  Steam generated by burning forest biomass is utilized to generate electricity in the turbine.  To reduce its dependency on fossil fuel based electricity, Terrace Bay Pulp invested significant capital to install an additional co-generation steam turbine to produce an additional 25 megawatts of power.  The additional electrical production capacity will allow Terrace Bay Pulp to fulfill 100 percent of its electricity needs by burning forest biomass, which reduces the carbon footprint of the facility.