due to the world-renowned greenhouse-making experience of Kubo and Stolze, the Dutch consortium in the venture, which made projects in cold areas like Russia, Finland and Alberta. AAB, a Dutch consulting company, also supervised all stages of the projects. “We are able to provide the world’s best technology because we have so much experience and knowledge,” notes Peter van der Kraan, Kubo’s financial director. “We can provide the highest productivity at the lowest cost. We can also realize a project like this one very fast.” Kubo – which has also worked on other projects across Canada – received a $10-million contract with Toundra Greenhouse. In the greenhouses, an integrated computer system controls more than 700 environmental parameters, ranging from lighting, humidity, fertilizers, and CO 2 level controls. To improve plant growth, extra CO 2 , coming from the natural gas combustion is injected in the greenhouse, increasing the concentrations from 340 ppm to 800 ppm. But that’s not all, since CO 2 solutions, a carbon capture specialized business, will build its first commercial $7.4-million project to feed the greenhouses with 30 tons of CO 2 per day captured from the pulp mill – the equivalent of 2,300 cars off the road. To do so, CO 2 Solutions, who already has a 10-ton per day demonstration unit in function, uses an enzyme-based proven technology, says Evan Price, the company’s president and CEO. The project will be completed in 2018. And that’s not the only byproduct coming from the mill, since 25 per cent of the energy comes from the heat released in the pulp-making processes. The remaining energy comes from TK Topboiler natural gas boilers. Another particular aspect in the greenhouse is that the plants grow off ground on a stone wool artificial substrate, used primarily as a physical support. Those plants, which receive 20 hours/day of lighting, are irrigated and fertilized simultaneously – a process called fertigation – and all elements not absorbed are recycled. Likewise, 98 per cent of the water is recuperated from precipitations stocked in basins or recycled through the recirculation system. Toundra Greenhouse does not use pesticides and prefers to do integrated pest management. All of this is just the first phase of the $100 million project covering 34 hectares planned over the next years. It’s hard to say when the next phases of the massive project will be built, but the promoters are optimistic. Other vegetables could make their way in the greenhouses and more good news for them: Subway just signed a contract to supply all 600 of Quebec’s and 250 of Eastern Canada’s restaurants with Toundra’s cucumbers. Another step to increase the proportion of locally made cucumbers on the market, previously at five per cent before the Toundra project. For Gilles Potvin, this project exemplifies the birth of a new ecological industrial era, where waste can become huge opportunities for others. • For the latest biomass news, visit www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca. PLANNING YOUR NEXT PROJECT? Bliss Industries has the experience combined with 21st century technologies for your size-reduction or pelleting needs. Call today! Bliss Industries, LLC is a leading manufacturer of pelleting, cooling and size reduction equipment. Founded in 1981, Bliss Industries maintains a reputation of manufacturing the most efficient, reliable and well-built equipment in the industry. Developed from a design concept proven worldwide, the range of Pioneer Pellet Mills continues to expand. Overall reliability, maximum efficiency, ease of operation and maintenance combine to provide lower operating costs to each owner. With the ability to provide a wide range of die sizes, die speeds and drive power, Bliss can more than meet your requirements for high quality at a reasonable cost. Proudly Manufactured in the USA Impacting Industries Worldwide. Bliss Industries, LLC P.O. Box 910 • Ponca City, Oklahoma U.S.A. 74602 Phone (580) 765-7787 • Fax (580) 762-0111 Internet: http://www.bliss-industries.com E-mail: [email protected] BL-138E.indd 1 CBM_Bliss_MarApr17_CSA.indd 1 Canadian BIOMASS 12/6/16 1:48 PM 2017-03-02 1:14 PM 15
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