BioAmber building begins2011-12-31
Equipment for inside new Sarnia plant being ordered
By Heather Wright, www.sarniathisweek.com Sarnia This Week
January 02, 2012
There are no signs of construction at Lanxess yet, but some of the building will soon begin for the $80 million bio-chemical plant.
Montreal-based BioAmber announced plans in October to build a biosuccinic acid plant at Lanxess. It has been working on plant design and environmental approvals in advance of the start of construction of the actual building.
But Mike Hartmann, vice-president of BioAmber, says some building is underway. The company is purchasing equipment which needs to be built and shipped to the plant. "Things such as large fermentors and certain pumps and equipment, that's a priority," he says. "It will take our suppliers six months to build it. We order it now so we can be sure it is there once the building is ready."
Hartmann says the company also has a short list of companies which will be in charge of engineering of the plant, buying for the build and the eventual construction.
Hartmann says construction is still expected to start in the spring. He says the project is fully funded including yet unannounced support from the federal government.
"A lot of work is being done behind the scenes that just doesn't include putting the bulldozer on the ground," says Hartmann.
Sarnia This Week Article ID# 3416901
Lambton College grad working on cutting edge biomass researcc2011-12-15
By JD Booth www.lambtonshield.com The Lambton Shield
If Sarnia is indeed on the path to help position Canada in achieving world-leading biomass innovation, then Cheryl Ebert will likely be helping steer the renewable ship.
The research technologist for Lambton College’s Advanced Materials Engineering Research (AMER) Laboratory is engaged in a lot of hush-hush projects.
One of the most modern and versatile facilities in Ontario, Ebert is part of a team overseeing a number of leading edge biomass research projects. And this 2010 graduate of the college’s three-year Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology program is making waves in this innovative and rapidly expanding field.
At the 61st Annual Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference this fall in London, Ont., Ebert was recognized for her work in the field and named top presenter out of 12 speakers in her technical session tabbed, “Biofuels — Ethanol and Beyond.”
Her 20-minute session documenting how Lambton’s lab research has led to instrumentation improvements for biomass processing outshone other presentations by a list of notable speakers. Some had their PhDs, while others were noted university professors. The honour also came with a $1,500 cheque.
“It was an overwhelming experience. I tackled one of my biggest fears, public speaking, and it worked out better than I could have hoped.”
The improvements she discussed were developed in the college’s research lab, which is located in the darkened bowels of the college. A fitting locale for the guarded industrial testing that takes place within its walls.
The AMER Laboratory was the brainchild of Dr. Kim Choo, the principal researcher who manages the staff and projects. The lab is capable of performing research in advanced engineering materials product development. Plastics, rubbers, biomass or chemicals can by fed into a piece of machinery known as an extruder. They can be pelletized or rolled into sheets. This laboratory can be used for developing sustainable polymer composites and alternative energies as well as improving instrumentation and control applications.
Simply put, the laboratory is researching ways to better use biomass materials as a renewable energy source. The lab works very closely with local industry, Ebert says.
For her part, she’s helped design and build some of the lab’s major testing components, including the entire pumping system.
“It was months of tweaking different instruments,” she explains.
When the subject of just what experiments she’s up to, the normally affable and chatty Ebert turns stone-faced and quiet. That’s because the technology and research is extremely competitive. However, Lambton College technology students have been given the opportunity to use the research laboratory for their co-op training to experience the challenges of applied research.
“It is very exciting, to feel part of developing something that can help the industry. I get to design. I get to build and I get to test,” she says, as towels cover some sensitive equipment behind her. “There’s a lot that happens in this lab. The work done here is certainly innovative.”
For more information about the Instrumentation and Control Energy Engineering Technology program at Lambton College, visit www.lambtoncollege.ca/ICET.
NOVA setting up corp. services centre at Research Park2011-11-17
SARNIA, ON, CANADA - The University of Western Ontario Research Park is pleased to welcome NOVA Chemicals as the latest corporate tenant to join its growing Sarnia-Lambton Campus.
NOVA Chemicals is establishing a corporate services centre in Building 1040 of the Research Park's Sarnia-Lambton Campus on Modeland Road in Sarnia, Ontario that will include members of NOVA's Information Technology Group and Global Accounting Services. NOVA is the latest in a series of new tenants that have recently been added to the Research Park.
"The total number of tenant companies at the Sarnia-Lambton Campus has more than doubled in each of the past two years" said Joel Adams, Executive Director of the Research Park, "As a long-time community supporter of the Research Park, we are especially excited to welcome NOVA Chemicals and members of their team to our facilities."
"As original participants in Sarnia-Lambton’s sustainability initiatives, NOVA provided strong support to the Research Park in its early days as we successfully raised our start-up funding from the Provincial and Federal governments. NOVA has also been an active sponsor at the Research Park's annual Capstone Engineering Design Competition," said Don Hewson, Managing Director of the Research Park's Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization in Sarnia.
Renovations, including energy saving retro-fits and other environmentally sustainable features, are currently being completed in time for a December 1, 2011 move-in date.
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About the University of Western Ontario Research Park
The University of Western Ontario Research Park is one of Canada's leading multi-campus science and technology parks and is affiliated with one of Canada's largest universities. The Research Park owns and operates 12 buildings with over 625,000 square feet of turnkey office, conference centre, laboratory, and pilot plant space across two established Research Park locations: the 50-acre London Campus and the 80-acre Sarnia-Lambton Campus. The Research Park is home to over 100 tenants, ranging from large multi-national companies to small non-profit organizations, and including some of Canada's fastest growing start-up companies.
About the Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton Campus
The University of Western Ontario Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton Campus was established in 2003 as a joint initiative of the County of Lambton, the City of Sarnia, and the University of Western Ontario. The Sarnia-Lambton Campus is located adjacent to Lambton College and is home to the Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization, Canada’s largest clean-tech incubator, focused on large-scale industrial biotechnology. The Bowman Centre receives support from the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.
For more information:
Joel Adams, HBA, BESc
Executive Director
The University of Western Ontario Research Park
Phone: 519-858-5150
jadams@researchpark.ca
Lambton unveils second generation of GIS mapping site2011-11-14
November 14, 2011 – Sarnia-Lambton ON - The County of Lambton and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership announced new enhancements to Lambton's Geographic Information System (GIS) today that will serve both residents and businesses well in their on-line mapping needs.
The site is located at www.lambtongis.ca/siteselector.
The enhancements include: new aerial photography of Lambton County flown in Spring 2010; a “parcel identification” tool that provides public MPAC information for each land parcel in the County; access to digital municipal zoning layers (where available); and built-in Statistics Canada data, which can be tailored to provide demographic information around user-specified mapping points.
The site continues to allow users to find addresses, businesses, schools, libraries and many other points of interest across the County. It also allows industrial site selectors the opportunity to view mapping and information on Sarnia-Lambton’s industrial business parks.
“This is the next generation of GIS mapping, and an incredible tool for both economic development and the general public,” said Lambton County Warden Steve Arnold. “The launch of this new site is a great way to celebrate World GIS Day, which is this Wednesday.”
The County of Lambton Information Technology Department managed the project. Lead by Jason Hannigan, Project Leader, and Greg Spiridonov, GIS Specialist, the project took approximately one year to complete.
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For further information contact:
Edith Wilmot-Quigg
Development Consultant
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Phone 519-332-1820
wilmot@sarnialambton.on.ca
Lambton unwraps updated GIS website2011-11-14
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver The Observer
Lambton County has souped up its digital toolbox for attracting new businesses and residents.
Officials with the county's information technology department and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership showed off an enhanced geographic information system (GIS) website, www.lambtongis.ca/siteselector, Monday.
"This is the next generation of GIS mapping, and an incredible tool for both economic development and the general public," said Warden Steve Arnold.
George Mallay, general manager of the economic partnership, said, "When I started in this business, you couldn't do economic development without picking up the phone."
Companies looking to set up shop had to call the community for the information they needed, he added.
"Now, before anyone calls you, the first thing they do is go on the computer and do a site search . . . sometime it's actually surprising how much they know about you."
Most communities Sarnia-Lambton's size and larger have similar digital technology and it's critical to keep it up-to-date, Mallay said.
"I would say now ours would be at the top of the pile."
Robert Wilks, who heads the county's information technology department, said its staff used tools Lambton already had from its initial GIS system several years ago for the update.
"We're trying to keep it simple," project lead Jason Hannigan said while demonstrating the system that uses aerial photography and other tools to allow users to find addresses, businesses, schools and other locations, as well access Statistics Canada data, zoning and information on local industrial parks.
Users can now customize sections of aerial photography and save them on their computers, or print them.
Hannigan said a potential business developer can see what lands are available, check the zoning, identify nearby competitors, as well as look at income, education and population statistics for potential customers living nearby.
The new system also includes Google Street View, and other existing online tools, but puts them all in one spot and provides update local information, Hannigan said.
It's also something the public can use, said Edith Wilmot-Quigg, development consultant with the economic partnership.
Examples, she said, are scuba divers mapping shipwrecks or genealogists tracking down old cemeteries.
Or, even just someone wanting to see what their house looks like from the air.
Observer Article ID# 3368687
Bridge traffic on the rebound2011-11-10
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Truck traffic is up on the Blue Water Bridge, lending credence to a recent Ontario Trucking Association survey that found renewed economic confidence.
Some 57,880 U.S.-bound truck crossed the bridge in October, an increase of 1,800 vehicles from last October. Some 67,243 trucks crossed into Canada, down about 200 trucks.
That meshes with a 4Q11 survey that polled 55 trucking companies, said Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley.
"The industry is weathering the storm, which suggests the economy is weathering the storm."
Heading stateside, 21% of those surveyed said freight volumes were improving, 14% said they were getting worse and 65% said there was no change.
Going into Canada, 35% said volumes were increasing and 58% said they were unchanged.
A higher number of those surveyed also expressed uncertainty about trucking: 40% said they were uncertain about the industry's prospects, up from 26% last quarter.
"While people are uncertain, we're not seeing it in any great extent in terms of a deterioration in freight volumes," said Bradley.
Car traffic at the Blue Water Bridge in October was up substantially compared to last year. More than 10,000 additional cars made the journey in both directions.
Total U.S.-bound traffic including cars, trucks and buses reached 215,919 vehicles in October, compared to 203,985 in October 2010.
Heading into Canada, 223,302 vehicles made the crossing compared to 212,836 a year ago.
"I think the numbers and the survey pretty much go hand in hand," said Stan Korosec, Blue Water Bridge Canada's VP of operations. "Things aren't what they were a few years ago, but we're slowly creeping up."
Observer Article ID# 3363907
Sarnia lands emerging tech company2011-11-10
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Another emerging technology company is moving to Sarnia, the Sustainable Chemistry Alliance said Wednesday.
Solutions4CO2 will locate a demonstration facility and its global headquarters at a still undetermined location in the city.
The company, currently based in Toronto, is working on ways to capture and use carbon dioxide, which can be used to speed the growth of algae for use in biofuels, drugs and other uses.
The Chemistry Alliance is investing $500,000 in a joint financial partnership with a private investment firm, Macquarie Private Wealth Inc., which also raising money for the venture.
"We worked closely with the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership and our government and industry leaders to attract S4CO2 to our world-class hybrid chemistry cluster," Murray McLaughlin, alliance CEO and president said in a release. "This builds on the recent decision by BioAmber to locate it's succinic acid plant here."
The CEO of S4CO2, Doug Kemp-Welch, said Sarnia was chosen over other Canadian centres for the demonstration plant because of the local co-operation it received, as well as the fact local industry already produces carbon dioxide emissions.
"We like to think of ourselves as in the 'waste gas to coproducts' business," he said. "We're transforming waste gas streams in value-added coproducts."
The company is looking at a number of sites in Sarnia and hopes to finalize a location by the end of this year. It is also in the process of forming a senior management team.
Observer Article ID# 3363775
NOVA's outlook upbeat2011-11-10
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver The Observer
Nova Chemicals is enjoying record earnings and considering ambitious growth plans, including a possible new plant in Sarnia-Lambton.
While announcing the company generated $538 million in profits in the first nine months of 2011, chief executive officer Randy Woelfel said Wednesday, "Our industry may be growing more slowly, but it is still growing."
Earlier this year, Nova announced it is exploring the possibility of a new world-scale polyethylene plant in Sarnia-Lambton by 2012. It's also considering a new plant in Alberta.
"By the middle of 2012," Woelfel said Wednesday, "we should have additional details on the timing and scope of the various growth projects."
During a conference call held to announce the company's third quarter earnings, he said, "We have record earnings so far in 2011, along with strong cash generation and that positions us well to move forward with our ambitious growth plans."
The company also said Wednesday its debt has dropped below $1 billion for the first time in the history of Nova Chemicals as a standalone company.
Woelfel also spoke about how 2011 has been "an extraordinarily challenging year for maintenance turnarounds at our facilities."
Each of its olefin and polyethylene facilities were brought down for some period of non-routine maintenance since May, he said.
That included Nova facilities in Chemical Valley.
"We are working through one startup operational issue at Corunna, with an expectation of a modest delay in our original on-streaming timing," Woelfel said.
But, he added, "We've now caught up from the backlog of work that had been deferred over the past several years, and will now return to a more normal turnaround pattern in the future."
The company has been revamping its Corunna cracker so it can use up to 100% natural gas liquids as its feedstock.
"This construction work included tie-ins for future equipment so that we should not have to take Corunna down again to implement the remaining capital work," Woelfel said.
Nova recently signed agreements to buy and transport natural gas liquids from the Marcellus shale basin in the eastern U.S.
"We are very excited to be the first company to sign definitive agreements to begin moving Marcellus shale ethane north to Sarnia, Ont., by the middle of 2013," Woelfel said.
"This game-changing project will help convert Corunna into a more viable, robust business platform."
Nova Chemicals has three plant sites in Sarnia-Lambton that employ about 900 people.
Along with high profits, the company has enjoyed a good safety record in 2011, Woelfel said.
"Year-to-date, our safety statistics are the best the company has ever had."
Nova Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the International Petroleum Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Observer Article ID# 3363758
Region's Hybrid Chemistry Cluster Further Expands2011-11-10
Sustainable Chemistry Alliance Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 10, 2011
SCA Investment Helps Bring S4CO2 to Sarnia-Lambton
As Region's Hybrid Chemistry Cluster Further Expands
SARNIA, ON A $500,000 investment by the Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (SCA) will help bring another global technology company to Sarnia-Lambton as part of the region's growing hybrid chemistry cluster. Solutions4CO2 will locate its demonstration facility and global headquarters here with joint financial support that includes the SCA and investment firm Macquarie Private Wealth Inc., which acted as Agent for a private placement offering of special warrants in the amount of $1,516,000.
S4CO2 develops industrial-scale CO2 capture and use solutions using gas infusion technology. Uses of dissolved CO2 gas in solutions include rapid acceleration of algae growth for third-generation biofuels production, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, animal/aqua feed, mineralization and separation into clean commercial CO2.
"We worked closely with the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership and our government and industry partners to attract S4CO2 to our world-class hybrid chemistry cluster," said Dr. Murray McLaughlin, CEO and President of the SCA. "This builds on the recent decision by BioAmber to locate is succinic acid plant here."
Doug Kemp-Welch, CEO of S4CO2, said the experience, expertise and networking capability available through the SCA was instrumental in his company's decision to locate its global headquarters and research and development operations in Sarnia. "The combination of the SCA and the economic development office had a direct impact on our decision to choose Sarnia over many other locations in Canada for our demonstration facility. Given that Sarnia area companies produce some of Canada's CO2 emissions, it's also a natural site for deployment of our technology."
He added the SCA has helped to facilitate his company's connection with the major chemical companies in the region. S4CO2 "bolts its technology" to the technology of other companies, which are either a source of CO2 or a potential customer for its downstream products.
"We like to think of ourselves as in the waste gas to coproducts business," says Kemp-Welch. "We're transforming waste gas streams into value added coproducts."
S4CO2 is currently looking at a number of sites in Sarnia and hopes to finalize a location by the end of 2011. It is in the process of forming its senior management team.
About the SCA
The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (www.suschemalliance.ca) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to promote growth and prosperity by fostering and supporting innovation, development, commercialization and related business activities and projects in the area of green and sustainable chemistry. SCA is supported by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.
About Solutions4CO2
S4CO2 is a developer of exclusive industrial scale CO2 capture and use solutions using gas infusion technology. Gas infusion extracts CO2, NO2 and SO2 from flue gas and biogas and efficiently mass transfers high concentrations of the extracted CO2 into water. Currently working out of offices in Toronto, the company (www.s4CO2.com) is planning to locate both its national headquarters and demonstration plant in Sarnia.
About Macquarie Private Wealth
Macquarie Private Wealth in Canada is part of the Macquarie Group, a leading provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services. Originating in Australia, the group's (www.marquarie.com) operations include offices in the world's major financial centres. Macquarie combines entrepreneurial drive with deep industry and regional expertise and robust risk management.
For more information contact:
Dr. Murray McLaughlin, PhD
President and CEO,
Sustainable Chemistry Alliance
Cell: 519-550-5525
Email: murraym@suschemalliance.ca
BioAmber and Mitsui2011-11-08
BioAmber and Mitsui & Co. to Build and Operate Plants Producing Succinic Acid and BDO
By BIOAMBER INC.
Last modified: 2011-11-08T10:12:29Z
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 - 2:12 am
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Nov. 8, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ - BioAmber, a next-generation chemicals company, and Mitsui & Co., a leading global trading company, have partnered to build and operate the previously announced manufacturing facility in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The initial phase of the facility is expected to have production capacity of 17,000 metric tons of biosuccinic acid and commence commercial production in 2013. The partners intend to subsequently expand capacity and produce 35,000 metric tons of succinic acid and 23,000 metric tons of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) on the site. Bioamber and Mitsui also intend to jointly build and operate two additional facilities that, together with Sarnia, will have a total cumulative capacity of 165,000 tons of succinic acid and 123,000 tons of BDO. BioAmber will be the majority shareholder in the plants.
BioAmber and Mitsui plan to build and operate a second plant in Thailand, which is projected to come on line in 2014. The partners are currently undertaking a feasibility study for the Thailand plant with PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited, a joint venture established between Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and PTT Public Company Limited. BioAmber and Mitsui & Co. also plan to build and operate a third plant, located in either North America or Brazil, which will be similar in size to the Thailand project.
The partners are combining their respective strengths. BioAmber has developed a proprietary technology platform that combines industrial biotechnology, an innovative purification process and patented catalysts to convert renewable feedstocks into chemical that are cost effective replacements for petroleum-derived chemicals. BioAmber is currently producing and selling succinic acid at a plant in France and has proven the quality and cost competitiveness of its technology without subsidies, using commercial scale fermenters. Mitsui & Co. is one of the largest general trading companies in the world, with a broad presence in the global chemicals market. In addition to its extensive distribution capabilities and market access, Mitsui & Co. is strongly committed to the renewable chemicals industry and has secured renewable feedstock in Brazil, Thailand and other countries as part of its strategic focus on renewable chemicals. In the year ending March 31, 2011, Mitsui had total revenues of $55 billion and net income of $3.6 billion. The company has over 40,000 employees on a consolidated basis and operates 153 offices in 65 countries.
"Our goal is to play a leading role in the growth of renewable chemicals, as evidenced by our recent joint ventures with BioAmber in North America for biosuccinic acid and The Dow Chemical Company in Brazil for biochemicals," said Masanori Ikebe, General Manager of Mitsui's Specialty Chemicals Division. "We believe that biosuccinic acid and bio-BDO will experience rapid growth over the next decade, and BioAmber's technology leadership is an excellent fit with Mitsui's strength across the supply chain," he added.
"BioAmber's partnership with Mitsui & Co. is a strong endorsement of our technology platform," said Jean-Francois Huc, CEO of BioAmber. "Mitsui is an ideal partner thanks to its long-term commitment to renewable chemistry, its extensive reach into chemical markets and its strategic access to sustainable feedstocks. Mitsui also has the financial strength to support our expansion and help us compete internationally," he added.
About Mitsui & Co. Mitsui & Co. Ltd. is one of the largest general trading companies in the world, with 153 offices in 65 countries. Utilizing these global operating locations, networks and information resources, Mitsui is multilaterally pursuing business that ranges from product sales, worldwide logistics and financing, through to the development of major international infrastructure and other projects in the following fields; Iron & Steel products, Motor Vehicles, Marine & Aerospace, Chemicals, Energy, Food & Retail, Consumer Service, Information, Electronics and Telecommunications, Financial Markets and Transportation Logistics. For more information visit: www.mitsui.co.jp/en
About BioAmber Inc. BioAmber is a next generation chemicals company. Its proprietary technology platform combines industrial biotechnology, an innovative purification process and chemical catalysis to convert renewable feedstocks into chemicals for use in a wide variety of everyday products including plastics, food additives and personal care products. BioAmber produces bio-succinic acid in what it believes to be one of the world's largest bio-based chemical manufacturing facilities. For more information, see www.bio-amber.com.
SOURCE BIOAMBER INC.
Real estate sales solid2011-11-07
Total value of homes sold up 6% this year
By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
First-time home buyers have helped spur a 6% increase in Sarnia-Lambton real estate sales so far this year.
As of October, total home sales volume reached $284.9 million, the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board reported. Last year, total home sales were $268.3 million for the same 10-month period.
Local real estate agents are benefitting from increased sales in homes under $200,000, said Donna Mathewson, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board. Typically, these sales are from first-time home buyers.
"It's been the bottom end of our market that has fuelled everything that's been happening," she said. "Over the last year, anywhere from 60% to 80% of our sales have been under $200,000."
Low interest rates have encouraged first-time buyers into home ownership, Mathewson said. Government rebates, like the land transfer tax refund for first-time buyers, have also been an incentive.
Sarnia-Lambton saw $25.4 million in real estate sales in October. That fell just shy of September's sales of $28.4 million.
October also saw an increase in construction, according to the City of Sarnia's building permit statistics. Thirty-eight permits were issued in October compared to 36 at the same time last year.
However, the total number of permits issued to date is still lagging behind last year. Only 623 permits have been handed out compared to 742 by October 2010.
Construction values are also trailing this year. Construction has been pegged at $63.8 million compared to $78.9 million by this time last year.
Observer Article ID# 3360458
Kudos to Sunripe2011-11-05
You could say Will and Ingrid Willemsen are enjoying the fruits of their labours.
The Sarnia Sunripe store at Lakeshore and Murphy, which they founded in 1982, has been chosen the best specialty food store in Canada for 2011.
The Willemsens received the Dave Parsons Gold Award for Excellence from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIGT) at a black tie gala recently. The event is described as the Academy Awards of food retailing and speaks to the Willemsens' knack for store merchandising, customer service, food safety and innovation.
The federation has more than 4,000 grocery retailers across Canada.
Dave Delchario, past chair of the CFIG, explained why Sunripe won gold. "Food retailing has become fiercely competitive but innovative retailers like Will and Ingrid continue to thrive," he said. "Will and Ingrid continue to drive innovation to world class levels."
One Tomato harvests award2011-11-04
SUSTAINABILITY: Local project cited by Suncor
By Tara Jeffrey, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A grassroots project designed to inspire residents to grow vegetables, eat local, and donate fresh food to local food banks is $5,000 richer this week.
The One Tomato Project, spearheaded by Megan O'Neil and Darren Hakker in 2009, was honoured Thursday with the 2011 Suncor Sustainability Award, which recognizes local individuals and organizations for their contributions towards social equity, ecological integrity and economic prosperity in Sarnia-Lambton.
"We're thrilled," said O'Neil. "I didn't expect to win. We're outside the box; we're grassroots; we're different."
"We know that we make a difference," Hakker added. "But we didn't know it was enough to win this. It's such a great thing."
Through the creation of community gardens and educational endeavours, the One Tomato Project has promoted sustainability, distributed plants and encouraged children to eat local and healthy, with more than 25 local organizations involved to date.
The win also comes just in time to help fund the group's latest initiative, "Food Works," a pilot project being launched this month in four area schools, teaching Grade 7 students to cook, make healthy food choices, meet with professionals in the food industry, and understand the origins of the food they eat.
A portion of the project, in partnership with Lambton-Kent Ag-in-the-Classroom, has been funded by the Sarnia Community Foundation, but both O'Neil and Hakker had been scrambling to come up with more funding.
"Eventually, we hope to be in every 7th Grade class in Lambton County," said O'Neil.
The award was designed by Suncor Energy and the Bluewater Sustainability Initiative (BSI) as an incentive to challenge the community to foster the next generation of sustainability innovators and implementors.
Past winners include Terra Industries (2010), Shawn McKnight (2009) and Goodwill Industries — Essex, Kent, Lambton Inc. (2008).
The Bluewater Sustainability Initiative is an organization striving to have Sarnia-Lambton recognized worldwide as a hybrid, green community.
For more information, visit www.bluewatersustainabilityinitiative.ca.
To learn about the One Tomato Project, visit www.onetomato.org.
Observer Article ID# 3357330
Wunderkind helps Lambton County recruit empty nesters2011-11-03
From Forever Young Magazine wwww.foreveryoungnews.com
A charming blond high school whiz kid has earned a place on the marketing team that is promoting the Sarnia-Lambton region in southwestern Ontario as a potential retirement destination for boomers.
But make no mistake about it, Lynden Evers is not merely a student intern looking to absorb the wisdom of his elders. The 17-year-old founder of his own marketing firm known as Pro Motion Ads has an important role working alongside Ted Zatylny, project leader for the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership in charge of attracting new residents.
Evers has recruited over 100 Toronto-area drivers to participate in a promotion intended to send commuters to a new Sarnia-Lambton website, ihatetraffic.ca, using vehicle messaging. Cars are set up with bumper stickers and other signage bearing the website’s URL, the logic being that the worse the Toronto traffic is, the more likely it is the Toronto commuters will notice and remember the website.
When they visit ihatetraffic.ca, they’ll read how Lambton County is located only 269 kilometres from Toronto; how it’s much less congested than Toronto (43 people per square km., compared with Toronto’s 866); how average housing prices are hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper; and how the Sarnia-Lambton lifestyle, with over 20 golf courses, good health care and proximity to major U.S. and Canadian cities, is a good fit for retirees.
Other components of the campaign are print and radio advertising.
“The ihatetraffic.ca concept occurred to me on the 401, near the airport one day last summer at about 4:30 p.m.,” said Zatylny. “I had some time to think.”
“Vehicle advertising has done very well out west in cities like Vancouver and Calgary and it is also going strong in the States,” explained Evers. “It’s also used a lot in Russia and India.”
Drivers receive $75 a month to allow their vehicles to carry the Sarnia-Lambton message. Forty-six drivers were slated to take to the Toronto roadways within the first weeks of the debut of the campaign.
Driver recruiting was done online on such sites as Kijiji, said Evers. “It’s a good way for hard-working people to early a little extra money each month,” he said.
Evers got involved with the Sarnia-Lambton program through a chance meeting earlier this year. When Zatylny bumped into Evers at a Chamber of Commerce social and they began to discuss their mutual business interests, he didn’t realize he was talking to a grade 11 student.
“I figured he was about 25 or so,” said Zatylny. “I had no idea he was 17.”
Evers, now in grade 12 at Ecole Secondaire Franco Jeunesse, works quickly. He got the idea for his company last December; launched it in April; met Zatylny at the Chamber of Commerce function and received a follow-up email from Zatylny in July; presented his ideas to Zatylny in response the next day; and the campaign was launched Oct. 1, the same day Zatylny and Evers were greeting potential customers at the FYI Lifestyle Show for boomers in Toronto.
Besides the mentorship of Zatylny, Evers says he works with a local agency, CCI Studio, run by Sarnia entrepreneur Scott Palko, for marketing and creative guidance.
His youth has its advantages and disadvantages, Evers said. “Some people are impressed but they are understandably hesitant to use the services of Pro Motion Ads,” he said. “I am young and learning, but I want to be taken seriously and I have a will to succeed.”
Said Zatylny, “Despite the fact he's just 17 years old, dealing with him is a pleasure. I appreciate vendors who can take an idea and run with it, and this has been my experience with Pro Motion Ads thus far. He also contributed some valuable ideas to the campaign as a whole.”
In mid-November, Evers says, he will undertake a case-study analysis to determine the effectiveness of the program.
Why, Evers was asked, isn’t he enjoying his teenage years engaged in the typical pursuits of his peers?
“I find myself bored with the normal,” he says. “I need to try new things and expand my knowledge.”
Websites: Pro-MotionAds.ca; liveinlambton.ca; tourismsarnialambton.com.
Sarnia earns five blooms2011-10-31
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia earned five blooms at this year's Communities in Bloom competition. The awards for the national community beautification program were handed out the weekend in Quebec City.
Sarnia Coun. Anne Marie Gillis said Sarnia was competing in a new national category for communities with populations of 50,000 and more. "That means we were competing with the largest communities in Canada, most notably London," she said. "We're pleased we came home with five blooms and we consider that a real victory for us."
Sarnia urban forestry program was also recognized at the awards, she said.
Observer Article ID# 3351755
Lambton Shores wins national Blooms competition2011-10-31
From www.lambtonshores.ca
Congratulations Lambton Shores!!!!
Its Five Blooms!!! First time out at the National Communities in Bloom competition. Having won Five Blooms at the Provincial Level in 2010, the Lambton Shores Communities in Bloom Committee decided to go for broke and enter the National Competition in 2011. Co-Chairs Catherine Minielly and Grace Dekker attended the awards ceremony in Quebec City this past weekend and were thrilled to call home to Mayor Weber with the great news. The community was also one of three finalists in the “Environmental Action” category recognizing this community's leadership in protecting, preserving and promoting our environmentally sensitive areas and creating energy efficient facilities like the recently completed Legacy Centre.
Congratulations to all the hard working and dedicated groups and organizations, families and individuals and municipal staff that made this happen.
Economic Partnership Seeks Input on Future of the County2011-10-17
October 17, 2011 – Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario - The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is seeking input from citizens and the businesses of Sarnia - Lambton on its proposed 2012 – 2015 economic development strategy.
“We believe that the citizens of Sarnia-Lambton, including business, labour, and First Nations, will together provide valuable information and ideas that will improve economic prosperity and quality of life in our County”, stated Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia and Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Board Chair.
Information and open forum discussion sessions are being held in both Sarnia and Wyoming to offer businesses and residents an opportunity to provide ideas and direction on plans for business recruitment and retention, new resident attraction, entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment, and marketing of the community; plans that will shape the economic future of Sarnia-Lambton.
Four sessions are being held. Of the four sessions, one is focusing on: specialized industrial; manufacturing; chemical; and industrial services sectors. One is dedicated to professional; business services; creative; and agricultural sectors. Two sessions are open to general input from residents and businesses of Sarnia-Lambton.
“Our proposed plan calls for continued collaboration with the businesses and citizens across the county,” said Economic Partnership General Manager George Mallay. “These sessions are an opportunity to engage, be heard, and become part of the future success of Sarnia-Lambton.”
Sarnia-Lambton business people and residents are encouraged to participate in the open forum discussions by registering for one of the sessions with tThe Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership at 519-332-1820 or email reception@sarnialambton.on.ca.
Sarnia-Lambton specialized industrial; manufacturing; chemical; and industrial services businesses
Tuesday, November 01 – 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
BSI Meeting Room at the
Suncor Sustainability Centre
1489 London Road, Sarnia
(Lambton College campus, in front of student residence)
General – Sarnia-Lambton residents and business owners
Tuesday, November 01 – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
County Council Chambers
County of Lambton Building
789 Broadway Street, Wyoming
Sarnia-Lambton professional; business services; creative; and agricultural businesses
Wednesday, November 02 – 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Royal Canadian Legion
493 Erie Street, Wyoming
General – Sarnia-Lambton residents and business owners
Wednesday, November 02 - 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
BSI Meeting Room at the
Suncor Sustainability Centre
1489 London Road, Sarnia
(Lambton College campus, in front of student residence)
- ## -
For further information contact:
George Mallay, General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Telephone – 519-332-1820
mallay@sarnialambton.on.ca
Sustainable Chem Alliance, BIC to collaborate with S African Incubator2011-10-17
Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, Bioindustrial Innovation Centre
To Collaborate with South African Incubator on Commercialization
SARNIA, ON – The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance and Bioindustrial Innovation Centre have agreed to collaborate on commercialization activities with the eGoLiBio Life Sciences Incubator in South Africa.
“The SCA and BIC are strongly focused on commercialization of technology in Canada, but also with an international perspective of bringing in the best technology from where it is initially developed to create North American opportunities for Canada,” says Dr. Murray McLaughlin, executive director of the BIC and president and CEO of the SCA. “EGoLiBio is an excellent organization to be working with in South Africa as they have a very similar philosophy for South Africa. We look forward to working together for the benefit of our clients.”
Kenny Masobe, executive director of eGoLiBio, said he welcomed the “contribution to the South African and international bioeconomy through the commercialization of life science and bioindustrial technologies by partnering with key institutes, such as SCA and BIC in Canada.”
As part of a memorandum of understanding, the SCA and BIC will assist with South African business ventures that are interested in Canada and North American market opportunities. Concurrently, eGoLiBio will assist with Canadian business ventures that are interested in South African market opportunities. The three organizations will jointly identify potential commercialization opportunities within their targeted sectors.
About the SCA
The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (www.suschemalliance.ca) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to promote growth and prosperity by fostering and supporting innovation, development, commercialization and related business activities and projects in the area of green and sustainable chemistry. SCA is supported by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.
About BIC
The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre (www.bicsarnia.ca) is Canada’s preeminent accelerator for the commercialization of large-scale industrial biotechnology and related sustainable chemistry. BIC aims to spur a more globally competitive industry by integrating renewable bio-based industry into the traditional petrochemical industry, while developing environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. BIC is funded through a combination of revenues and investments from the private sector and government, including $15 million from the Government of Canada’s Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program.
About eGoLiBio
With the aim of bcing the leader in the incubation of bioscience businesses in South Africa, eGoLiBio (www.eGoLiBio.co.za) is an active intermediary in the development of a sustainable and vibrant biotechnology sector. It focuses on product and/ or services that use biological components and processes. EGoli is a Zulu term meaning place of gold. The incubator is located at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) campus in Pretoria.
For more information contact:
Murray McLaughlin, PhD
President and CEO, Sustainable Chemistry Alliance
Executive Director, Bioindustrial Innovation Centre
Tel: 519-383-8303 ext. 237
Cell: 519-550-5525
Email: murraym@suschemalliance.ca
Email: murraym@bicsarnia.ca
Petrolia company moving its R&D into former Vulcan plant2011-10-14
By Heather Wright www.petroliatopic.com The Petrolia Topic
Glenn Buurma says the research and development department at Penta in Petrolia needs room to grow.
So the company, which employs 40 people at its Progress Drive plant, has purchased the former Vulcan plant on Centre Street.
Penta is in the middle of tearing down some of the old buildings and renewing others to make room for three employees who develop and improve the company's livestock feed mixers.
Buurma said the company is constantly working to improve the equipment to make it more efficient and easier to use — "making it more productive and more user friendly.
"Three people are dedicated to (research and development) now," said Buurma.
"They've just kind of outgrown this building (on Progress Drive) and we need to get it off into a separate site where we can be a lot more efficient at it ... We could make better use of this building in the production end of things and that's why we are moving off-site."
Buurma said investing in research to improve the product is the right thing to do.
"There is just a mountain of different opportunity ... There is very little agricultural manufacturing in Ontario but there is a mountain of agriculture done here."
Buurma said before the move can be made, the Centre Street property has to be improved. Penta is demolishing one of the buildings on the site and renovating another. Buurma hopes to have the useable building ready for use in a couple of months.
"Hopefully we'll have the building closed in by November, then we have to do a bit more work inside ...put a little bit of equipment in there," he said. "We gutted the offices and they have only been partly redone."
Buurma hopes employees will be able to move into the new building in December or January.
The Vulcan plant, which opened in 1954 and manufactured new steel drums and reconditioned steel and plastic drums, was closed in 2009.
The Petrolia Topic Article ID# 3333914
New Union Gas compressor station up and running2011-10-12
Union Gas says new compressor station now up and running at Dawn ‘hub’
By JD Booth www.lambtonshield.com Lambton Shield
A new compressor station is up and running today at Union Gas’ Dawn operations centre in southwestern Ontario, helping to improve operations at Canada’s largest underground storage facility for natural gas.
The Dawn operations centre, also known as the Dawn “hub," holds 155 billion cubic feet of natural gas in 23 reservoirs – enough to heat about 1.9 million homes for an entire year. The hub allows gas to be stored when demand in North America is low and withdrawn when demand increases.
“This multi-million-dollar investment reaffirms our commitment to the Dawn area,” said Julie Dill, president of Union Gas. “The new compressor plant will make this world-class facility even more flexible and efficient, supporting our overall operations as one of North America’s leading natural gas storage, transmission and distribution companies.”
Dawn’s first storage wells were drilled in the 1940s – an industry milestone that opened the door to transporting natural gas from the United States and Western Canada into Ontario. Expansion and upgrades to Dawn’s storage field and compressors have been ongoing ever since.
The new single-unit “Dawn J” compressor plant replaces the facility’s oldest plant, “Dawn A,” which contained five less efficient units that were as much as 50 years old, and improves overall operational flexibility. The facility uses nine compressors to help move natural gas between storage reservoirs and transmission pipeline systems.
“This important upgrade to the Dawn hub will help us serve our customers better,” said Dave Simpson, director of storage and transmission operations for Union Gas. “It will also support our company’s value of environmental stewardship by using state-of-the-art technology to significantly reduce emissions and noise levels.”
Dill and Simpson were joined by Union Gas employees, industry partners and government officials today at a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the new plant coming into service.
The Dawn hub is the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Ten major pipelines have interconnections in the Dawn area, allowing shippers to source natural gas from all major North American supply basins and transport gas downstream to markets in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S., or upstream, to markets in the mid-western U.S.
Union Gas, a Spectra Energy Company, was founded in 1911 through the amalgamation of three southern Ontario local gas distribution companies. Today, Union Gas is the second largest natural gas utility in Canada, serving 1.3 million customers across Ontario. The company has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 employers for 2012, its second consecutive honour.
Union Gas serves over 400 Ontario communities, including the Dawn-Euphemia Township. The company is committed to contributing to the communities it serves by supporting employment, offering energy efficiency programs, and helping local organizations through sponsorships, charitable giving and volunteer work. For example, Union Gas supports the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and Foundation, which received a $10,000 Centennial Signature grant this year. Through its Helping Hands in Action program, Union Gas employees and retirees have contributed many volunteer hours in the area, including projects at Dawn-Euphemia School and St. Phillip School in Petrolia.
Provident Energy investing in local operations2011-10-05
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
With the paint barely dry on an initial $40 million in capital improvements, Provident Energy is already planning to spend another $10 million at its Corunna Storage Terminal.
Randy Alwood, senior manager of local operations, said the new investment follows recent news Provident has entered a 10-year agreement with an undisclosed Sarnia company for use of two of the underground caverns on the 1,000 acres of land on Highway 40 purchased more than one year ago from Dow.
He and other Provident officials welcomed visitors to the facility on Tuesday afternoon for an official opening ceremony.
"We've barely started operations and the facility is certainly on track to exceed probably our wildest expectations," said president and CEO Doug Haughey.
The site's caverns store hydrocarbons for industry, and the initial improvements included building a 16-spot rail loading facility.
Seventeen people are working at the site, Alwood said.
For breaking news go to theobserver.ca, or check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Observer Article ID# 3322451
Enbridge Sarnia pipeline expansion planned2011-10-05
Enbridge and its affiliates are planning to invest $100 million in two projects to connect western crude oil to refineries in the east.
The investment includes an expansion to Line 5, the pipeline running to Sarnia from Superior, Wis., which would boost production by 50,000 barrels a day.
The company will also spend $20 million to reverse the flow of part of Line 9 so that crude can flow from Sarnia to Westover, Ont.
Both projects are expected to come into service late next year.
The projects look to take advantage of diverting more light oil from Alberta and the Bakken — a rock formation that stretches through parts of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Montana — to refineries in Ontario, Michigan and Ohio.
The company stated in a news release that the projects will allow eastern refineries to take cheaper crude, while western producers will be able to fetch a better price for their oil.
Observer Article ID#3321927
Provident signs long-term deal2011-10-01
By Cathy Dobson From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — Provident Energy announced Friday that it has entered a 10-year lease agreement with an undisclosed Sarnia company for use of two underground storage caverns.
It's been more than a year since Alberta-based Provident Energy purchased nearly the entire former Dow site at LaSalle Line and Highway 40.
The company, Canada's second largest handler of natural gas liquids, invested millions of dollars in the 1,000-acre property to prepare Dow's vacated salt caverns for the storage of liquefied petroleum gases such as ethane, propane and butane.
"We continue to see strong demand for storage services at both our Corunna and Redwater facilities," said CEP Doug Haughey.
"This agreement, along with our recently announced $100 million storage project at Redwater, demonstrates our ability to execute stable long-term, fee-based arrangements that will be a key part of our growth going forward."
This latest agreement in St. Clair Township involves a capacity of 525,000 barrels in the two caverns, as well as use of the associated pipeline and drying facilities.
The agreement commences in early 2012.
Observer Article ID# 3318977
Charlie Fairbank enters Petroleum Hall of Fame2011-10-01
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
OIL SPRINGS — Lambton's longest oil producing family now has two members in the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame.
At a recent induction gala dinner in Calgary, Charlie Fairbank accepted a crystal award and was acknowledged by the crowd of 350 guests as the country's newest member of the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame.
In 1997, Charlie's great-grandfather John Henry Fairbank was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"Oil Springs and Petrolia made magnificent contributions to the development of oil and it's wonderful to see them rightfully recognized on a national stage," said Charlie Fairbank.
Each year the Selection Committee of the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame, located in the Canadian Petroleum Discovery Centre near the site of the famed Leduc No. 1 oil discovery at Devon, recommends a maximum of six individuals for induction.
Through the Hall of Fame, significant contributions to the oil industry are recognized, honoured and celebrated.
"The County of Lambton did not hesitate to nominate Charlie Fairbank for his first-hand knowledge of the oil industry, the advocacy work he undertakes and the support he extends to those interested in oil heritage," said Robert Tremain, General Manager, Cultural Services.
"He has made it his life mission to gain recognition for Ontario's oil heritage district, birthplace of the modern oil industry."
Born Charles Oliver Fairbank lll, Fairbank showed early interest in running the family's oil business. On the advice of his father, he obtained a biology degree and a teaching degree and became a secondary school science teacher as a profession to fall back on, in the event that the oil fields did not meet expectations.
By 1973, Charlie took over Fairbank Oil and under his leadership, it has grown to 350 wells, producing 24,000 barrels of oil annually on 600 acres.
Fairbank Oil continues to use 19th century technology, including the jerker line his great grandfather designed. It is designated a National Historic Site.
Fairbank has also received the Canada 125 medal, Queen Elizabeth ll's Golden Jubilee medal, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Petroleum History Society in Alberta, the Samuel T. Pees Keeper of the Flame Award from the American-based Petroleum History Institute and the Ontario Lieutenant Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award for Heritage.
Other notable figures from Lambton's oil history previously inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame include Charles Tripp, Henry Tripp, James Miller Williams, William McGarvey and John Henry Fairbank.
This year marks Fairbank Oil's 150th year in business. To celebrate the occasion, the Fairbank Family has launched an extensive website at www.fairbankoil.com.
Observer Article ID# 3319817
Shale gas gives plastics sector new lease on life2011-09-29
From www.theglobeandmail.com
Shawn McCarthy — GLOBAL ENERGY REPORTER
Published Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011 7:00PM EDT
Last updated Friday, Sep. 30, 2011 6:17AM EDT
North American petrochemical companies are banking on the continent’s shale gas revolution to revitalize the hard-pressed industry, which is now planning to spend billions on new projects.
Leading the charge is Nova Chemicals, a Calgary-based company that has secured a crucial lifeline for its sprawling Ontario chemical complex through access to the prolific Marcellus natural gas fields in the United States.
The October issue Nova is taking advantage of plentiful supplies of low-cost natural gas from the Marcellus area to displace oil as a feedstock for its operations. The surging price of oil in recent years has pushed costs higher for the chemical industry, as it downsized operations and faced possible plant closings.
Nova – which traces its roots to Alberta’s gas gathering system – has signed deals with Sunoco Pipeline LP and two Marcellus shale gas producers to ship ethane – which is derived from natural gas liquids – to its ethylene plant in Corunna, near Sarnia, Ont., from southwest Pennsylvania. By doing so, the company will replace its ethane feedstock derived from high-priced crude oil from Western Canada with a source produced from low-cost natural gas in the United States.
Ethane is a component of crude oil as well as the hydrocarbon liquids that are often produced with natural gas. End products made from ethane include shrink wrap and other food packaging, grocery bags, toys and other common items.
“The key both for our survival and to get ourselves in growth mode again was to be absolutely out in front from a feedstock acquisition standpoint,” Nova Chemical chief executive officer Randy Woelfel said in an interview from the company’s executive offices in Pittsburgh.
For Nova and other North American petrochemical operations, the shale gas boom has proven a godsend, coming at a time when the industry was encountering increasing difficulty competing with major chemical operators in the Middle East and Asia.
Just two years ago, Nova’s Sarnia-area plants faced an uncertain future. They were bleeding red ink, and the company was acquired by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned International Petroleum Investment Corp. (IPIC).
The shale gas boom “is absolutely a game-changer for us,” Mr. Woelfel said.
“Had we not reacted as aggressively as we have and had there not been the opportunity to connect to this whole revolution in natural gas availability, I would say you could have serious doubts whether by the end of this decade, Nova would have survived in Corunna and Sarnia,” Mr. Woelfel said.
Dow Chemical Co. has announced plans to spend $4-billion (U.S.) to construct a “cracker” – which processes ethane into ethylene – on the Gulf Coast, re-open an idled one, and build two propylene plants. Royal Dutch Shell PLC is considering building a plant in economically depressed Appalachia, close to the Marcellus fields. Germany’s Bayer AG is in talks with several companies to construct new ethane crackers in West Virginia, while Chevron Phillips Chemical and Dutch-based LyondellBasell have said they are considering expanding operations in the U.S.
In testimony before the U.S. Congress last week, the president of the Washington-based American Chemistry Council said a sustained increase in domestic ethane supply from shale gas would result in 400,000 new jobs in the U.S.-based chemical industry and $132-billion (U.S.) in added economic activity.
In a deal announced earlier this month, Nova Chemical reached long-term supply contracts with Range Resources Corp. and Caiman Energy LLC, two significant Marcellus producers. The contracts backstop a move by Sunoco to transform existing pipelines to allow delivery of ethane and other natural gas liquids to the Sarnia area. Nova will spend $250-million to transform its processing equipment to handle a steady diet of natural gas-based feedstock.
Mr. Woelfel said the company is also upending traditional supply routes in Alberta to bring natural gas liquids derived from the booming Bakken play in North Dakota to its petrochemical facility in Joffre, Alta.
All told, Nova is hoping to invest $1.5-billion in the next decade to expand its polyethylene production in both Ontario and Alberta.
FROM ETHANE TO SHRINK WRAP
THE FEEDSTOCK
Nova Chemicals Corp.’s plant in Corunna, Ont., uses ethane from natural gas or crude oil to make ethylene.
THE PROCESS
Ethylene is made by “cracking” the ethane molecule under extreme pressures and temperatures, and then separating the ethane and co-products through cooling and compression. Ethylene is the main building block for polyethylene.
THE PRODUCTS
Linear low-density polyethylene: Flexible food packaging, shrink wrap.
Low-density polyethylene: Grocery bags, cable insulation.
High-density polyethylene: Industrial drums, children's toys, pressure pipe.
Biotech firm opens office in Sarnia2011-09-27
By Tyler Kula From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A startup biotech company has opened a Sarnia office at the UWO Research Park with plans to test a tobacco-based breast cancer drug in clinical trails.
PlantForm joined the University of Western Ontario research park earlier this month to take advantage of the facilities, connection with London and access to potential investors, said David Cayea, director of PlantForm's international relations and business development.
"The precarious position of a startup is funding institutions very rarely put money in until you have revenue assets and things like that," he said. "We won't realize any revenue from three to four years from now."
At that point, Sarnia could become the site for full-scale manufacturing, with greenhouses and pharmaceutical-grade facilities to process the drugs, he said.
The company, founded at the University of Guelph in 2008, is producing biosimilar drugs — using plants to create generic alternatives to existing medicines.
The first is a Herceptin (trastuzumab) alternative, made from tobacco.
Herceptin is a Roche Group drug for breast cancer that earned $5.7 billion last year. The patent ends in Europe by 2014, and in North America by 2017, Cayea said.
PlantForm's biosimilar version, which is 10 times cheaper, could then be sold, he said. It's currently entering phase one with animal efficacy tests.
"Herceptin alone is usually a $44,000 a year dosage for one person," he said.
The company is eyeing two other multibillion dollar drugs, trying to make less expensive alternatives from plants.
Sarnia is also closer to home, said Cayea, who's been working in Abu Dhabi the past nine years.
"We wanted to come back to this area and I found it was challenging in the beginning" to find work in Sarnia, he said.
The research park helped solve that dilemma and is very cost effective, he added.
"I believe in the area and would love to see more people back."
Office space is available for four new tenants at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, and there is significantly more laboratory space, said Mary Prendiville, business development and communications manager with the research park.
"It's bringing opportunity to startups and connecting Dave to the different groups that we're involved with," she said.
Anyone interested in learning more can contact Prendiville at 519-383-8303 ext. 238.
Observer Article ID#3312546
Major Mall Renovation2011-09-23
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
Primaris says it’s about a year away from opening at least two new stores in the former Canadian Tire Space at Lambton Mall. The company made the comments while conducting a hard-hat tour of the mall’s new food court, set to open later this fall. Primaris Leasing Manager Jeremy Schott says there’s about 100-thousand square feet of floor space to be developed at the old Canadian Tire.
The company also says it’s working with a Windsor-based company interested in redeveloping the vacant Montana’s restaurant in the mall parking lot. The new 5-million dollar food court will house seven restaurants, with A&W, Dino’s Pizza, Manchu Wok, and New York Fries already signed on. It will feature nine, 55-inch TVs and is to open in late November or early December. Primaris also announced the 1-million dollar development of an H&M store.
Provident Energy new rail loading facility running2011-09-23
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
Provident Energy’s new liquid propane rail loading distribution facility is up and running in St. Clair Township. Construction of the 35-million dollar project wrapped up at the beginning of the month. Executive Vice President Murray Buchanan says the infrastructure gives the company a number of options down the road.
The facility — located in the Highway 40-Petrolia Line area — is able to off-load 16 rail cars at a time. Buchanan says the company has the ability to expand storage capacity in the future.
NOVA plans for shale gas2011-09-23
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
There’s been much talk about tapping into the bountiful supply of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation in the Northeastern US.
Nova Chemicals is taking a big step preparing to transport this new feedstock to its Corunna site.The conversion of the local ethylene manuacfuring facility from a primarily oil-based feedstock to a supply of ethane is currently on the drawing board. In fact tie-ins are included in the maintenance turnaround just underway.
The project includes reconverting and extending one of the Genesis Pipelines to allow the transportation of ethane from Marysville Michigan a distance of 8 kilometres across St Clair Township to the unit. The pipeline extension will allow Nova to link into the Marcellus flow. Representatives from consultant Stantec, and Nova Chemicals will hold a public information session this November.
Pending National Energy Board approval, construction could begin as early as 2013.
PlantForm Corporation opens office at Research Park2011-09-12
SARNIA - PlantForm Corporation, a Canadian biotech startup company focused on producing ultra-low-cost therapeutic antibody drugs, has opened an office on the Sarnia-Lambton Campus of the University of Western Ontario Research and Development Park in Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario.
To read the company's media release click here.
NOVA announces ethane agreements for Corunna unit2011-09-07
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Nova Chemicals has taken another critical step in ensuring the long-term future of its Corunna "cracker" unit as well as possible future expansion in the area.
The company said Tuesday it has entered into three core agreements to use ethane feedstock from the Marcellus Shale Basin in the U.S.
"We are excited to have these critical pieces in place," CEO Randy Woelfel said in a release, noting the company is on track to have the project — including facility upgrades — completed by the end of 2013.
The three new agreements are with:
• Sunoco Pipeline L.P. for the transportation of ethane feedstock from the Marcellus Shale Basin to the Sarnia area.
• Caiman Energy, LLC, for long-term ethane supply from the basin, and
• A wholly owned subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation, also for long-term ethane supply.
The company said it is working with other producers in the Marcellus region, including Statoil Marketing and Trading Inc., to secure additional feedstock for the Corunna cracker.
Woelfel said the revamp, which is still subject to regulatory approvals, would position Nova's Ontario assets for further growth in the polyethylene market.
Observer Article ID #3286941
Area farmers join leadership program2011-09-07
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A pair of Sarnia-area farmers will serve as Canadian representatives in a young leadership program.
Dave Park and Christine Russell have been selected among numerous applications for the 2012 American Soybean Association and Dupont Young Leader Program.
The program helps train future farm leaders, as they participate in leadership experiences beginning in November in Johnston, Iowa.
Park and Russell farm with Dave's father, with approximately 10,500 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. They also operate a seed business.
The Grain Farmers of Ontario have dubbed them "avid innovators with an eye to the future."
The pair have adopted robotics on their packaging line, increasing efficiencies and cutting down on labour costs.
"We had a great group of applicants this year and were impressed to see such a keen interest of our younger members," said Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Observer Article ID #3287079
Nature area planned for vacant space2011-09-07
Putting the view in Meadowview
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Lambton County plans to turn an empty sun-baked field at Lambton Meadowview Villa into a natural area with trees, shrubs, pathways and benches.
The large piece of property sits south of the Petrolia-area long-term care facility operated by the county, and fronts on Petrolia Line.
It has been vacant since Lambton tore down an older home for the aged, known as Twilight Haven, after building Meadowview Villa behind it on the large county-owned site.
"We've tossed around different ideas over the years," said Ken Herrington, the county's manager of long-term care.
They included using the land for a medical helicopter landing pad, or finding a local service club interested in using it for a community project.
In the meantime, the property has sat vacant and covered with grass that has has to be cut, although it doesn't grow well because of poor soil conditions and exposure to the sun.
"This year," Herrington said, "we decided to go ahead."
The plan makes use of a partnership with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority to maintain several pieces of vacant county property.
In 2006, an established wood lot on the Meadowview Villa property was logged and the money earned used to plant 7,500 trees and shrubs on the north side of the home.
The latest plan suggested by the authority is to use funds from a county land management reserve fund to create more than 1,400 feet of pathways through the vacant southern property, and plant more than 600 seedlings, plus shrubs and other native plants and grasses.
Silver maple, burr oak and shagbark hickory are the tree species proposed in the plan.
The pathways will be covered in a natural material created from packed stone chips and dust.
Work on the project is expected to begin this fall, after the plan goes before county council Sept. 7, Herrington said.
Along with helping the county fulfill its commitment to increase local tree cover, the project will create an area residents of the home, their families and the public will be able to enjoy.
"It's a good opportunity for people to get out and stretch their legs and enjoy nature," Herrington said.
Observer Article ID #3287041
Bluewater Sustainability Initiative receives grant2011-08-31
Read Bluewater Sustainability Initiative media release here.
Sarnia plant lauded as new market for farm crops2011-08-31
From www.betterfarming.com
Local farm leader expects other industrial users of farm products to follow suit
By BETTER FARMING STAFF
Monday’s announcement of a new industrial plant coming to Sarnia marks the beginning of a new market for agricultural products, says a Lambton farmer who is well acquainted with bioproduct development.
BioAmber, Inc., a U.S. renewable chemistry company, through its subsidiary Bluewater Biochemicals will establish a biosuccinic acid plant in Sarnia.
“This is a new market that’s opening up,” says Lambton County farmer Don McCabe, vice president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and also vice chair of the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre in Sarnia. “This isn’t ethanol for biofuel; this is for a chemical, and it’s a platform chemical that will have many, many uses,” says McCabe.
According to BioAmber and Ontario government press releases, succinic acid is made from glucose, which is made from corn. It is a renewable, non-toxic chemical that can be used to make products ranging from plastic automotive parts and disposable cutlery to spandex, food ingredients, road salts and engine coolants.
BioAmber plans to have the Sarnia plant, the world’s first commercial biosuccinic acid plant, running by 2013. Initially the plant will have capacity to generate 17,000 metric tonnes of the chemical with plans to double that by 2014. Currently, BioAmber produces the chemical at a 3,000 MT capacity plant in France.
The company received $35 million in federal and provincial grants and loans to locate in Sarnia. It estimates that its first phase will generate 150 construction jobs and 40 full time jobs. More jobs will be added “as investments are made in additional manufacturing that can transform locally produced biosuccinic acid into value added products,” the news release said.
“With BioAmber choosing to come to this area and make the first step, this is possibly going to motivate a number of other companies to follow suit to this area and their needs will vary,” McCabe says. “They’re not all going to require corn; some will require other feedstocks.” BF
New bioindustrial plant announced for Sarnia2011-08-30
By Tyler Kula, www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A multi-million-dollar bioindustrial company is setting up shop in Sarnia.
Montreal-based BioAmber Inc. is building an $80-million first-of-its-kind biosuccinic acid plant on part of the existing Lanxess site by 2013.
The plant will produce bio-based succinic acid, derived from corn and used to match or better existing petrochemical products. They're then used for plastics, fragrance and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, polymers and non-corrosive de-icers.
Initial capacity at the Sarnia plant is pegged at 17,000 tonnes per year, with plans to double by 2014, industry and government officials said Monday at the University of Western Ontario Research Park in Sarnia.
Through its subsidiary Bluewater Chemicals, BioAmber will create, at minimum, 40 full-time jobs at the Sarnia plant, along with 150 construction jobs.
The company also plans to produce 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) on site.
"We're delighted because we are here to create more jobs," said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario's minister of economic development and trade, announcing a $15 million loan to BioAmber on Monday.
It follows a $7.5 million federal government investment announced in July.
"This is a real collection of a whole bunch of hands in this pot to turn it and make it work," Pupatello said. "And this is a perfect story."
Sarnia was among more than 100 North American sites considered for the plant, said Mike Hartmann, BioAmber's corporate affairs vice-president, noting the company already has a 3,000 tonne-capacity plant in France.
Sarnia was the top choice, he said, because of an abundance of corn; nearby facilities that make glucose; easy access to shipping channels; strong government support; nearby colleges and universities; a skilled work force; and existing infrastructure.
"Unfortunately, Sarnia has had some issues with plants closing, but for us it's a great opportunity because it literally saves us millions of dollars in building boilers, waste water treatment, (and) having electricity," Hartmann said.
BioAmber's process is cheaper than conventional petroleum-based routes, he said. It's renewable, sustainable and helps sequester CO2.
The deal is a step towards developing a bio and alternative fuel cluster in Sarnia-Lambton, said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, noting the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, the Sustainable Chemical Alliance, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, the city, county and the private sector were all involved.
"We have several other companies we're dealing with around the same site," he said, noting Sarnia is developing a "buzz" in the renewable chemical field as a national leader.
Many Ontario jurisdictions have claimed titles as green energy hubs, Pupatello said, but Sarnia was there first.
"You are leaders in all of this, you are leading in the clean tech industries, you are leading in green energy jobs," she said.
It also means a brand new market for Lambton County cash crop farmers, said Ontario Federation of Agriculture representative Don McCabe.
"At the end of the day I grow a crop that is looking for a home," he said. "These guys are providing me a brand new one."
Lambton County produces about 100,000 acres of corn each year, he said.
The BioAmber project includes a deal with local labour unions to ensure it will be built without a strike, said Bradley.
Permitting work began in June and groundbreaking is expected in October. The completion target is late 2012.
BioAmber announces biobased succinic acid plant in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada2011-08-29
BioAmber Inc., through its subsidiary Bluewater Biochemicals, has selected Sarnia, Ontario, Canada as the location for its first North American biosuccinic acid plant. The Sarnia plant will have an initial capacity of 17,000 MT and will be commissioned in 2013. Permitting work for the plant was initiated in June 2011. BioAmber currently produces and sells bio-based succinic acid at a 3,000 MT capacity plant in France.
See the full media release from BioAmber Inc., and the news release from Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade here.
Arts and crafts superstore opens2011-08-22
By Tara Jeffrey, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Michaels grand opening draws large crowds
Julie Sommer had barely even walked into the store, and her son was already signed up for the kids' cake decorating class at Michaels.
Eight-year-old Nikolas watched in awe as instructor Sandy Nikisher iced the perfect coloured fish design on a vanilla cake
"I think I want to sign up, too," said Sommer, during the demonstration held Saturday at the grand opening of the arts and crafts superstore located at the Smart Centre plaza on Quinn Drive.
Other classes offered at Michaels include jewelry design, scrapbooking, knitting and crocheting, and fine arts painting.
"People are really happy we're here," said store manager Phillip Campbell, amid Saturday's large crowds and long lineups.
"We knew it was going to be busy, but this is much better than we thought."
The opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony, demonstrations, cake and a visit from Sarnia Sting mascot Buzz.
Located near Wal-Mart and Winners, the 14,000 square-foot store includes more than 50 staff.
Work ramps up on two more Lambton solar farms2011-08-13
By Paul Morden, www.theobserver.ca The Observer
As many as 650 construction workers are expected to be employed by September at a pair of solar farms being built in St. Clair Township.
Peter Carrie, a vice-president with First Solar Inc., said provincial approvals for the two 20-megawatt facilities came later than expected, leaving the company rushing to get construction completed by the end of the year.
Between 80 and 100 people are now at work now on the company's Moore Solar Farm, north of Rokeby Line and west of Highway 40. It received the final provincial approval just a few weeks ago, Carrie said.
Crews are building construction roads and installing fences.
"We're ramping up quite quickly on that," he said. "Within the next two or three weeks, we should have over 300 people working on the Moore project."
Crews will be installing 330,000 solar panels on 140 acres of the property, which is about 300 acres in total, he said.
The company had expected to get the green light in the spring and proceed at a more "measured pace," he said.
"But we're trying to get the project completed this year, so we'll be using a lot of people between now and October."
First Solar has also recently received approval to proceed with construction of the similar-sized Sombra Solar Farm, and has about 20 people on-site on about 350 acres south of Bentpath Line and east of Baseline Road.
"It's a little behind the Moore project but we have started on that one as well," Carries said.
The company aims to begin producing power by Christmas, Carrie said.
The two projects in St. Clair Township were the first large solar farms approved under Ontario's new Renewable Energy Approval process, implemented as part of the Green Energy Act.
"It always take longer when you're the first," Carrie said.
Power generated by the sun at both farms will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under long-term contracts. Each are expected to produce enough power for about 2,800 homes, Carrie said.
First Solar announced earlier this year the two projects were being sold to NextEra Energy Inc., a Florida-based company.
That follows the practice of First Solar, a manufacturer and developer of solar projects.
The 80-megawatt solar farm it built in Sarnia, currently the world's largest, was later sold to Enbridge Inc.
Lambton Mall signs H&M clothing store2011-08-04
From www.twitter/RadioSarniaNews
Lambton Mall has signed a lease agreement with H&M. It's hoped the store will be open within the next couple of months.
Feds invest in local biofuel venture2011-08-02
By Shawn Jeffords From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A Sarnia firm has received a $1.6-million federal grant to continue its ground-breaking work on biodiesel.
Azule Fuels Inc. is getting the funding from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) fund, one of three announced investments totaling $7-million.
"Their process is described as novel," said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley. "It's anticipated it's the next generation of bio-refineries."
Bradley said The University of Western Ontario Bioinnovation Centre invested $500,000 last year in the start-up firm. The investments are used to turn research into products that can be sold in the market, he said.
"When we talk about this, I know it sounds very vague to the public, but that's what's happening at the Research Park. Looking at how we can be the next wave, taking biofuels into job creation."
Bradley said it's good to see Ottawa investing. It proves the work being done at the UWO Research Park is starting to pay off, he said.
"This is one of the one's that's moving to a different level," he said.
Murray McLaughlin, head of the Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, said Azule is developing a new diesel catalyst program. The firm is working with Lanxess to set up a demonstration site near Sarnia within the next year.
"They're looking at producing biodiesel here in Sarnia," he said.
McLaughlin said the federal funding is a sign the technology has commercial potential.
"With SDTC they do a good job of reviewing the technology and do a good job of due diligence. They operate as an arms-length investor for the government, even though they use federal dollars."
Observer Article ID# 3238674
NOVA signs memo for long term ethane supply2011-07-28
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Nova Chemicals announced this week it has signed a memorandum of understanding for a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus shale basin for its Corunna plant.
The memorandum, with Statoil Marketing and Trading Inc., is subject to Nova finalizing an agreement with the supplier and concluding a pipeline transportation agreement to carry the ethane to Chemical Valley.
Randy Woelfel, Nova's chief executive officer, said in a press release that the arrangement with Statoil "will help to diversity our supply base for our Corunna cracker revamp project and support our growth plans in the future."
Earlier this summer, Nova announced it's exploring building a new world-scale polyethylene plant in Sarnia-Lambton by 2017. The company also said detailed engineering and field tie-in preparation work is progressing at its olefins cracker in Corunna.
The company's goal is to reach full natural gas liquids feed capacity by the end of 2013.
Woeflel has said work at Nova's Corunna facility to take advantage of natural gas liquids feedstock from the Marcellus shale basin, located in and around Pennsylvania, could be completed for less than $250 million.
It's expected to give the company a more affordable supply of raw material to make ethylene, which Nova uses at its other plant sites in Sarnia-Lambton to make polyethylene used in consumer products like shrink wrap, trash cans and automotive parts.
"New feedstock opportunities are truly game changers for us and they provide the opportunity to fully utilize our assets," local Nova spokesperson Rob Thompson has said.
Engineering and feasibility studies on a potential new polyethylene plant in Sarnia-Lambton are expected to be completed by mid-2012, the company has said.
The company is also studying making improvements to its Mooretown plant.
Nova Chemicals has three plant sites in Sarnia-Lambton that employ about 900 people.
Two local nursing homes to expand2011-07-27
New beds could eliminate hospital backlog
By Tyler Kula From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The backlog of patients unnecessarily occupying local hospital acute care beds ay soon be history, the regional health authority says.
A $10-million addition is planned at Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia and a $12-million expansion at Fiddick's Nursing Home in Petrolia, said Paul Brown, a health systems manager at the Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network.
About 7% of patients at Bluewater Health are still in acute care beds who could be better served in long-term care or home care, he said.
That's down from 28% two years ago.
"They've made a lot of progress," he said.
Meanwhile, the wait list at Vision Nursing Home is more than 100 people, said Heather Martin, administrator and CEO of the 110-bed Sarnia facility. Another 34 retirement home beds are offered through Vision Rest Home.
The 36-bed expansion will help address the shortfall, she said. Construction on adjacent rental property is expected to begin by November and be completed by January of 2013, she said.
"I think the wave (of new residents) is on its way, so we do need to get these buildings up and running."
The expansion will also create 50 jobs for personal support workers, and housekeeping, dietary and recreation staff, she said.
A new nurse practitioner-led clinic is already under construction at Vision.
Meanwhile, a 36-bed expansion at Fiddick's Nursing Home could be completed by December of 2012, said administrator Mike Fiddick.
The addition will increase the number of beds to 128, with one respite, one palliative, and 34 retirement beds as well.
Updated technology, a full-building sprinkler system and a homier atmosphere are also in the works, he said.
Both projects have been delayed while awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Ontario's decision to allow patients to choose the facility they want to move to is also slowing down the process of reducing the hospital backlog, Brown said.
Ontario ranks fourth last in the world by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) standards when it comes to bed availability.
There are 2.5 beds available for every 1,000 residents, and hospitals are at 97.8% occupancy, according to a recently-released Ontario Health Coalition report.
Grain farmers contingent visits2011-07-12
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
Members of the Grain Farmers of Ontario have made their way to Sarnia-Lambton… finding out how they can help with a potential new energy project.
Board Member Kevin Marriott says they’ll be touring the UWO research park Wednesday, getting a first hand look at new ways to produce energy from area corn.
He isn’t able to get into specifics but says the project could be big.
The 25 member contingent will also visit the St. Clair Ethanol Plant, Lanxess, Oil Museum, Petrolia Discovery and Sarnia grain elevators.
New hotel plans moving forward again2011-07-12
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
Plans for a new hotel on Exmouth Street north of Lambton Mall are moving forward again.
InnLand Hospitality Corporation President Warren Adamson says an architectural design proposal for the 105 room facility has been completed.
He says the project is very much alive and they hope to apply for a building permit by year’s end.
The 3 or 4 storey hotel, to be called “Country Inn and Suites by Carlson” had an original price tag of 10 million dollars back in 2007.
Two large wind turbine projects approved for north Lambton2011-07-05
From www.lambtonshield.com
The province has given the green light to 25 new renewable energy projects in southwestern Ontario and two of the largest one are in Lambton Shores.
Burlington-based Jericho Wind Energy has plans for a 150,000 kilowatt site in Thedford, while Suncor's Cedar Point, Phase Two, would produce 100,000 kilowatts of power from a site in Forest.
Four other smaller projects border on Lambton County. They include projects in Dashwood, near Grand Bend, Kerwood, near Watford, Keyser, near Arknoa and Wallaceburg.
Nova eyes new world-scale plant for Sarnia-Lambton2011-07-02
By Paul Morden from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Nova Chemicals is considering building a new world-scale polyethylene plant in Sarnia-Lambton by 2017.
The project is one of two potential polyethylene facilities on which the company has begun feasibility and engineering work, the company said Wednesday. The other is in Alberta.
All of the engineering and feasibility studies are expected to be completed by mid-2012.
"The details will be coming available as the engineering evolves, but it is a significant investment," local company spokesperson Rob Thompson said about the cost of building a new polyethylene facility.
"A new plant would mean new jobs (but) again, it's too early to determine the exact job creation," he said.
The announcement is very positive one for Sarnia-Lambton, said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who also chairs the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership.
"The last world-scale plant we had here was Petrosar, which is now Nova."
When Nova Chemicals was purchased several years ago "there was real concern about the future of the site here," Bradley recalled.
But since then the petrochemical industry has enjoyed a resurgence.
"This is an endorsement of the chemical industry and it's direction," Bradley said.
Nova Chemicals has three plant sites in Sarnia-Lambton that employ about 900 people.
The announcement said detailed engineering and field tie-in preparation work is progressing at the company's olefins cracker in Corunna.
The goal is to reach full natural gas liquids feed capacity by the end of 2013.
Nova Chemicals' chief executive officer Randy Woelfel said in May work at the Corunna plant to take advantage of feedstock from the Marcellus shale basin could be completed for less than $250 million.
Local economic development officials have said tapping into natural gas liquids sent via pipeline from the Marcellus shale deposits in and around Pennsylvania will give Nova a more affordable supply of the raw material to make ethylene.
"New feedstock opportunities are truly game changers for us," Thompson said, "and they provide the opportunity to fully utilize our assets."
The company's polyethylene expansion plans are in the "2014 to 2017 timeframe," Thompson said, adding, "That would be completion by 2017."
The engineering and tie-in work at the company's Corunna site is aimed at increasing production of ethylene.
"That feeds our Mooretown plant," Thompson said, "and that one would be debottlenecked and expanded."
The Mooretown plant converts ethylene into polyethylene to make shrink wrap, trash cans, pipes, automotive parts, outdoor toys and other products.
Studies into the potential to carryout "debottlenecking" work at the Mooretown site was also part of Wednesday's announcement.
"We're very excited about the prospects for expansion," Thompson said.
"It has been some time since we've been able to talk positively about the long-term future of our existing plants in the Sarnia area, and the potential for growth."
If the plan to build a new world-scale polyethylene plant goes ahead, it would be built in "the Sarnia area," Thompson said.
"It's too early to define the exact facility location, but it would be local."
Thompson said the company will be "working closely with political, government, regulatory and all our community stake holders, to move these projects from feasibility to definitive."
Nova Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the International Petroleum Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
pmorden@theobserver.ca
NOVA begins studies for new polyethylene plant2011-06-29
NOVA Chemicals commits to growth in North America:
"NOVA 2020"
Calgary, Alberta (June 29, 2011) – NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) today announced plans for growth of its proprietary polyethylene technology to serve North American markets, which the company is calling “NOVA 2020.” As a part of the company’s strategy to capitalize on emerging feedstock opportunities and growing North American demand, NOVA Chemicals has begun feasibility and engineering work for the construction of two new polyethylene assets to be located at its sites in Alberta and Ontario. NOVA Chemicals will also complete studies for a further debottleneck of its low-density polyethylene line located at its Mooretown, Ontario facility.
The new polyethylene assets consist of:
· a world-scale Advanced SCLAIRTECH™ technology based line; and
· a world-scale NOVAPOL® technology-based linear-low density line.
“As an integral part of International Petroleum Investment Company’s (IPIC’s) global growth plans, we are very excited about the planned expansion of NOVA Chemicals’ position in North America,” said His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, Managing Director of IPIC and Chairman of NOVA Chemicals. “IPIC fully supports these plans that will enhance NOVA Chemicals’ leading technology and market position.”
The completion of all engineering and feasibility studies is expected by mid-2012, and start-up of the debottleneck project and polymer expansions is targeted between late 2014 and 2017.
“We are committed to leadership in the markets we serve. Our ability to meet our customers’ needs for higher performance polyethylene products is fundamental to this commitment. Growing our Advanced SCLAIRTECH technology capability - the core of our technology base - together with our proprietary gas-phase capacity, will deliver real value for our customers,” stated Randy Woelfel, NOVA Chemicals’ Chief Executive Officer.
In support of the polyethylene expansions, ethylene supply growth will be derived from the increased utilization of existing Joffre cracker capacity, along with expansion of the Corunna cracker. This planned increase in ethylene production will be supported by emerging, cost- competitive feedstock supply from a diverse portfolio of new feedstock sources, linked to both shale oil and shale gas development, oil sand upgrading off-gases and expansion in supply from conventional ethane extraction capacity.
As an update for the conversion of the Corunna, Ontario olefins cracker, detailed engineering and field tie-in preparation work is progressing well, in line with the goal of reaching full NGL feed capability by the end of 2013.
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at www.novachemicals.com.
- 30 -
Media inquiries, please contact:
Pace Markowitz, Director, Communications
Tel: 412.490.4952
E-mail: markowp@novachem.com
Advanced SCLAIRTECH™ is a trademark of NOVA Chemicals.
NOVAPOL® is a registered trademark of NOVA Brands Ltd.; authorized use/utilisation autorisée.
Responsible Care® is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) in Canada and is a registered service mark of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in the United States.
Smart home opens at Lambton College2011-06-25
By Tara Jeffrey, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
June 25, 2011
When Thomas Chona was seeking the best education when it came to alternative energy and technology, he didn't need to look any further than Lambton College.
"Lambton was the only place to offer exactly what I wanted," said the 51-year-old native of Zambia, Africa.
Chona, who began his career in banking, fell in love with alternative energy, and moved to Canada to pursue his dream.
He enrolled in Seneca College's solar photovoltaic technician program, then moved on to Lambton College's alternative energy program, where he just completed his second year.
Chona is also a research student, and has been heavily involved in the development of the college's new sate-of-the-art Sustainable Smart Home, which was unveiled Friday.
The home boasts a passive solar wall, a thermal mass wall, day lighting, exterior heath block awning, a solar water heating system, a solar photovoltaic system, a solar air heating system, green roofing and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
"This is like a dream come true for me," said Chona, who, last year, returned to his native village in Africa to install a solar panel system on his former school.
"I love having the flexibility of using different kinds of technologies anywhere I am, whether it be in North America, or in Africa."
Chona joined many other students, faculty, staff and community leaders for the grand opening ceremony for the $1.2 million facility, located on the northwest side of the campus, next to the Early Childhood Education day-care Centre.
"We've been in production on this house for more than two years, trying to figure out what are the best technologies for the students, and what makes sense for the community," said Judith Morris, vice president, academic and student success, noting that the centre will serve as a learning lab, an applied research lab and a community demonstration centre. "The community will be able to come in, look at what we've got here, and get a look at what might work in their own homes."
New Blue Water Bridge facilities open2011-06-24
From www.chok.com
The new Blue Water Bridge Corporate Centre, built at a cost of 68 million dollars is now fully operational!
The Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, administrative offices for 14 commercial brokerage firms, and Bluewater Bridge Canada employees are now working out of the 68 million dollar facility on Pt Edward’s Venetian Boulevard.
Today is an historic day in local transporation history. It was on this day, June 24th, 1937, that construction began on the original Bluewater Bridge linking Sarnia and Port Huron. The 61 hundred foot, cantilever trussed bridge cost 3.25 million dollars and was opened to traffic on October 10th of 1938. The 87 thousand ton Bridge sits 152 feet above the St Clair River, and was joined by a sister span that opened on July 22nd in 1997.
Real-Flex to build multi-use rental facility in Warwick2011-06-21
Real-Flex Business Parks of Montreal is very pleased to announce that a multi-use commercial and industrial rental facility will be built by the firm in the Watford-Warwick Industrial Park. Pending final approvals from the Ontario Power Authority, the new facility will be approximately 23,000 sq. ft. and will feature rental units starting at 1,250 sq. ft. in size. The building will also feature roof-top solar panels that will generate electrical energy under the FIT-Green Energy Act which represents an important environmental conservation.
Real-Flex’s Watford-Warwick project will provide numerous benefits to the community:
• A building designed for rural Ontario’s needs for rental space for smaller industrial and commercial businesses;
• Supports local entrepreneurs in launching and / or expanding their businesses, as well as creating employment opportunities for local residents;
• Brings greater exposure and synergy to the ongoing development of the Watford-Warwick Industrial Park and local businesses.
Warwick Township Council has been working with Real-Flex on this project for approximately one year. The current plan involves developing and leasing the facility by the end of 2012.
Mayor Todd Case stated “the building of the Real-Flex facility in our industrial park will be instrumental in attracting new businesses, employment and property assessment to Warwick, and will significantly enhance the Townships investment – readiness for future economic development opportunities”. “Real-Flex is excited in bringing this new cost effective, sustainable solution to the Township of Warwick. Given its strategic location by the 402 and near proximity to the U.S. and London Market, we feel our unique dynamic business parks will encourage small to medium sized businesses to establish themselves in the Watford-Warwick Industrial Park.”
Further details on rental information will be released as the project develops over the next few months.
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jon-Erik Dillon – VP Business Development
(514) 497-7308
jdillon@real-flex.ca
Union Gas drawing up plans for pipeline to Lambton Generating2011-06-21
From www.chok.com Blackburn Radio
Union Gas is drawing up plans for a multi-million dollar pipeline to the coal-fired Lambton Generating Station at Courtright. Blackburn Radio News has learned the utility is working on preliminary plans with Ontario Power Generation.
Union Gas Spokesperson Andrea Stass says OPG has asked the utility to investigate the possibility of converting LGS from coal to natural gas.
The project would require an environmental assessment and public consultations, which could come later this year. Stass says Union Gas would have to apply for Ontario Energy Board approval in 2012. The province is phasing out all coal-fired power stations by 2014.
Sarnia arts and craft superstore to hire 69 people2011-06-10
By Shawn Jeffords from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A new arts and crafts superstore opening in Sarnia is about to hire 69 people.
Michaels is expected to open its doors Aug. 13 in the Smart Centre plaza on Quinn Drive. A job fair to fill four full-time positions will be held Tuesday to Thursday at the Goodwill Job Centre on London Road, and 65 part-time workers will be hired after June 26, said store manager Phillip Campbell.
"(Sarnia) was an untouched market and we've had a lot of call for it," he said. "The store here in North London, I bet we get 50 customers a week from Sarnia."
The store specializes in supplies and classes for scrap-booking, cake decorating and jewelry, and offers custom framing services.
Campbell said he's eager to see the Sarnia outlet launched.
"I was just down to the store; it's by Wal-Mart and Winners. I imagine it's going to be very busy."
The store will reduce its staff complement after the Christmas season to about 35 employees in total, Campbell said.
The Sarnia store will be 81st in the Canadian arts and craft chain. There are more than 1,000 Michaels stores in the U.S.
Applications can be submitted online at www.michaels.com/storejobs
Observer Article ID# 3163596
Plastics recycler expanding2011-06-07
Province invests $4 million in Sarnia company's innovative recycling project
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A Sarnia company is getting $4 million from Ontario to help develop a method to recycle plastic packaging that usually ends up in landfill.
The funding for Entropex, from Ontario's Innovation Demonstration Fund, was announced today. The Sarnia company's project is expected to create 90 jobs.
Entropex president Keith Bechard said about 50 jobs have been created so far by the demonstration project that began in January 2010 with support from federally-funded Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
It recovers mixed rigid plastics, like clam shell packages and bakery trays, that traditionally "end up in the Blue Box but aren't part of the Blue Box program," Bechard said.
They generally make up about 30 to 40% of plastic municipalities collect in Blue Box curbside recycling programs, he said.
"It's all the stuff people put in their Blue Box that they're not supposed to."
Entropex has developed a process to recover those types of plastic so they can recycled.
"It essentially converts what's waste today back into it's original use, which was consumer product packaging," Bechard said.
"It's fantastic, it really is."
Bechard said the process Entropex is working on could eventually lead to an 80% increase in plastic recycling in Ontario. "It's that significant."
The company has reached about the mid-point of its two and a half year demonstration project, he said.
"We're taking our pilot plant, which we had operational since August of last year, and extending the infrastructure of that plant to handle more materials at greater volumes."
Bechard said the aim is to reach commercial scale by August 2012, adding the company will add more jobs as the facility grows.
"Everything is going well, but it is challenging," he said.
"There are some parts of the process that, when we started, hadn't been invented yet."
Bechard said there are "tremendous challenges" in nature of the materials that the process uses to be able to reuse them, but he added, "We are proceeding on track and on budget."
He added, "We're acting quickly on this. It's a persistent waste stream and it needs to be addressed."
Bechard said Entropex will be the only facility of its kind in North America.
"The best part is what it's doing for the environment."
Recycling plastic leads to an 87% reduction in greenhouse gases, Bechard said.
"It takes 13% of the energy to recycle plastic than it does to create it from natural resources."
It also leads to a significant reduction in the water used to create plastic from raw materials, along with a reduction in landfill space needed when those plastic packages are used again instead of being thrown away, he said.
Observer Article ID# 3157250
Suncor St. Clair ethanol plant reaches one billion liters2011-06-07
From www.downstreamtoday.com
Suncor Energy Inc. reported Tuesday that its St. Clair ethanol plant achieved a production milestone of one billion liters of ethanol in May 2011, just short of its fifth anniversary.
"We're very proud of this achievement," reflects Jim Provias, vice-president, Renewable Energy. "Reaching this milestone in just five years of operation is due to the efforts of our employees, who have operated the facility consistently, reliably, and most importantly, safely. In fact, since April of 2008 workers have put in over 350,000 hours at the plant without a recordable safety infraction."
The St. Clair plant began operation in June 2006 with a yearly production capacity of 200 million liters. In February 2011, an expansion was completed which doubled production capacity to 400 million liters a year, making the facility the largest biofuel plant by volume in Canada.
According to a Life Cycle Value Assessment of the St. Clair ethanol plant conducted by the Pembina Institute, pure ethanol produces over 60 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline. By blending up to 10 percent ethanol from the St. Clair plant, the study estimated that overall CO2 emissions in gasoline could be reduced by 4.6 percent. Given the one billion liters produced at the plant to date, this equates to a CO2 emission reduction of nearly 1.5 million tonnes — the equivalent of the annual tailpipe emissions of approximately 300,000 cars.
The ethanol produced at the St. Clair plant is blended into Suncor's Petro-Canada branded gasoline, providing a lower environmental impact than regular, non-ethanolized gasoline and ensuring Suncor meets government mandated blending standards.
Suncor is one of the largest players in renewable energy in Canada. Its St. Clair ethanol plant and five operating wind power projects across Canada — and a sixth to be operational by the end of the year — are expected to displace the equivalent of nearly one million tonnes of CO2 per year
Suncor Energy Inc. reported Tuesday that its St. Clair ethanol plant achieved a production milestone of one billion liters of ethanol in May 2011, just short of its fifth anniversary.
"We're very proud of this achievement," reflects Jim Provias, vice-president, Renewable Energy. "Reaching this milestone in just five years of operation is due to the efforts of our employees, who have operated the facility consistently, reliably, and most importantly, safely. In fact, since April of 2008 workers have put in over 350,000 hours at the plant without a recordable safety infraction."
The St. Clair plant began operation in June 2006 with a yearly production capacity of 200 million liters. In February 2011, an expansion was completed which doubled production capacity to 400 million liters a year, making the facility the largest biofuel plant by volume in Canada.
According to a Life Cycle Value Assessment of the St. Clair ethanol plant conducted by the Pembina Institute, pure ethanol produces over 60 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline. By blending up to 10 percent ethanol from the St. Clair plant, the study estimated that overall CO2 emissions in gasoline could be reduced by 4.6 percent. Given the one billion liters produced at the plant to date, this equates to a CO2 emission reduction of nearly 1.5 million tonnes — the equivalent of the annual tailpipe emissions of approximately 300,000 cars.
The ethanol produced at the St. Clair plant is blended into Suncor's Petro-Canada branded gasoline, providing a lower environmental impact than regular, non-ethanolized gasoline and ensuring Suncor meets government mandated blending standards.
Suncor is one of the largest players in renewable energy in Canada. Its St. Clair ethanol plant and five operating wind power projects across Canada — and a sixth to be operational by the end of the year — are expected to displace the equivalent of nearly one million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Innovative area farmers recognized2011-06-06
From www.petroliatopic.com
Four Lambton County farms, including one from Enniskillen Township and one from Plympton-Wyoming, are among 55 regional award winners of the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
An awards ceremony honouring local winners was held June 6 in Strathroy.
The Lambton winners are:
• Al McColl Farms, Plympton-Wyoming: The McColl family not only automated its turkey farm, they made it into a state-of-the-art production facility fitted out for maximum efficiency.
A number of improvements over the years have meant increased biosecurity, decreased labour, more eggs laid, reduced energy use and better income. The business has a flock of 3,600 breeding hens and the barns have natural ventilation, automated feeding systems, compact fluorescent lighting and more. Biosecurity is maintained since everything is connected so no one ever needs to go outside.
A new facility, which has gone through all the development stages, is being built and will mean even greater achievements: 50 per cent more birds using only 10 per cent more labour than the original operation.
• Steve Vokes, Enniskillen Township: You would think farming on flat land would be easy but Vokes, who crops on more than 2,000 acres in Lambton County, knows every terrain comes with different challenges.
Flat land needs several municipal ditches to provide outlets for farm drainage. But keeping drains clean and functioning can be expensive and time-consuming for farmers and municipalities. Vokes created a solution in his own farm shop. His excavator device is based on "wicking" principles and involves directly wet-rolling the surfaces of unwanted vegetation with herbicides. This targeted approach prevents spraying herbicide to other plants.
By modifying his excavator, Vokes can easily access both sides of the ditches from one location by "rolling" along the vegetation, since pulling out weeds and woody growth by the roots could destabilize the banks. This one-man show pays huge dividends with operator safety and maintaining clear, stable ditch banks.
• Hog-Tied Farms Ltd., Thedford:
A U.S.-based ventilation system that John VanEngelen modified to meet his own hog operation's needs is lowering production costs while improving air quality, increasing growth rates, and making barns safer and more environmentally friendly.
Twelve fans support 16 rooms at the facility compared to the one to three fans per room in traditional hog barns. His system has also shown the pigs are ready for market in 15 per cent less time than in more traditional systems. VanEngelen has hosted many farm tours and at least eight other barns in the area have been built using the same technology in the last six years.
• MacKellar Farms, Alvinston: When Jacob MacKellar was looking for a value-added product to supplement his 3,000-acre cash crop operation, he chose edamame — a type of soybean harvested in the pod right before it reaches the "hardening" stage.
It is a popular food in Asia and increasingly, in North America it is consumed as a snack or as a vegetable dish used in soups or processed into sweets. This non-traditional crop replaces imports and provides excellent returns.
Industry representatives project a 500,000 pound market in the next few years, and McKellar will be ahead of the pack with a planned harvest of 100,000 pounds in 2011.
"Ontario farmers are on the cutting edge. I am proud to recognize the hard-work and dedication to innovation of our local farmers who do so much to provide us with the good things that grow in Ontario and support our rural communities," said Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Maria Van Bommel.
The Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program recognizes and rewards outstanding innovations developed by farmers, agri-food businesses and organizations.
Ontario's agri-food sector is one of the province's leading industries, contributing more than $33 billion annually to the economy.
Petrolia Topic Article ID# 3157300
Nova Chemicals first to tap shale gas2011-05-28
By Paul Morden, www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Major investment will allow use of cheaper feedstock
Converting Nova Chemicals' Corunna plant to take advantage of using ethane from the Marcellus shale basin could be completed by the end of 2013 for less than $250 million.
That's the word from Randy Woelfel, the company's chief executive officer, in a conference call held Thursday to talk about Nova Chemicals' first quarter results.
He said that engineering work, underway since last year, confirmed the company's Corunna cracker can be easily converted to use up to 100% natural gas liquids.
"We expect ethane to be our primary feed in the future," he said.
"We have signed preliminary agreements with two key Marcellus players for a substantial portion of the ethane that we desire and are rapidly working towards definitive agreements," Woelfel said.
"We are confident that we will have cost-effective pipeline transportation available well before the time our facility upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013."
Ray Curran, with the Sarnia Construction Association, said a $250-million investment would have "a big impact" locally.
Even bigger could be the long-term impact of bringing feedstock from the Marcellus shale basin to Chemical Valley.
"It could open up other avenues for other companies as well," Curran said.
"That will give us the opportunity for growth and expansion here in the Valley because it's a cheap source of feedstock."
Mike Ireland, senior development consultant with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, said there was talk going around a conference held earlier this month in Sarnia about new investment coming to Nova.
Tapping into ethane sent by pipeline to Chemical Valley from Marcellus shale deposits in and around Pennsylvania will give Nova a more affordable supply of ethane, a key raw material for making ethylene, Ireland said.
Ethylene is used to make plastic for products like garbage bags and packaging.
Natural gas liquids, like ethane from the Marcellus shale basin, are currently "very affordable" compared to crude oil, Ireland said.
"It would be a big bonus for us up here in Sarnia to get it," Curran said.
"It's only 300 miles away in Pennsylvania and most of the pipeline is in place."
Ireland said a key point that came out of the recent conference was that the region that becomes the initial destination for Marcellus natural gas liquids could be in line for additional investments.
"Several speakers made that point."
Observer Article ID# 3143404
Sarnia recognized as youth friendly community2011-05-05
Play Works Recognizes Youth Friendly Communities during
National Youth Week
Toronto, May 5, 2011 – During National Youth Week, six Ontario communities are being recognized as “Youth Friendly” through the “Play Works Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program.” A Youth Friendly community is one that actively supports and provides opportunities for the growth and development of youth (ages 13 to 19) through play.
This year’s recipients, Norfolk County, the Cities of Peterborough, Burlington, Pickering, Sarnia and the Town of Whitby have all been acknowledged for their outstanding commitment to providing youth with opportunities to play, and to participate in and contribute to their communities. National Youth Week, which runs from May 1 to 7 each year and celebrates youth and their active participation in community life, is perfect opportunity to recognize these exceptional communities and the youth who have used their energy, creativity and skill to contribute to the vibrancy of their neighbourhoods, towns and cities.
The Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program celebrates communities that are taking steps to open their doors to youth by reinvesting in youth play. The rigorous selection process required communities to meet at least ten of sixteen youth-friendly criteria including providing opportunities for play, youth engagement, accessible programs and opportunities for youth activism. Since 2005, 39 Ontario communities have been recognized as Youth Friendly, ranging from small rural locations like the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve No. 26 to urban centres like the City of London. A complete list of communities can be found at: playworkspartnership.ca/youth-friendly-communities.
Youth Friendly Communities can work towards different levels of recognition - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum - depending on the number of criteria they meet. Many communities have applied in successive years in order to achieve “Platinum Status.” All of the successful communities will also be honoured at a special reception, to be held later this year.
Providing opportunities for youth to play is essential to the Youth Friendly Community principles. “Play isn’t just playing,” states Jennifer Cowie Bonne, the Play Works Chair, “it’s an essential and necessary aspect of development for youth. When communities make youth play a priority, they help youth reach their full potential. Youth Friendly Communities help to build a skilled and employable workforce, a creative cultural community, and healthier individuals - lessening the burden on our healthcare and social justice systems. Many communities large and small, urban and rural, are well on their way to being a youth friendly community.” And she adds, “The time for putting Ontario’s youth first is now.”
Applications are also now available for 2011. Please visit playworkspartnership.ca for full details.
Background
Play Works is a group of organizations that are concerned about the future of our youth and have joined forces to bring back the power of play to Ontario’s young people. Play Works believes that there are communities across Ontario that are taking steps to open their doors to youth by reinvesting in youth play. To learn more about Play Works, the Youth Friendly Community Recognition Program, The Cost of Excluding Ontario’s Youth from Play report, and the ‘Do It Yourself’ program, a one-time initiative to help fund youth organized activities, please visit: www.playworkspartnership.ca.
The Play Works Partners are: 4-H Ontario, Arts Network for Children and Youth, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada – Central Region, Educational Research, Laidlaw Foundation, Ophea, Sport Alliance of Ontario, Parks and Recreation Ontario, YMCA Ontario
Play Works acknowledges and appreciates the support from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport.
-30-
Media Contact:
Diane English, Communications, Parks and Recreation Ontario
phone : 416-426-7306
denglish@prontario.org
NOVA Announces Memo of Understanding with Range Resources for Marcellus Shale ethane2011-05-02
NOVA Chemicals Announces Memorandum of Understanding with Range Resources for Ethane Supply from Marcellus Shale
From The Financial Post
BusinessWire · May 2, 2011 | Last Updated: May 2, 2011 4:29 PM ET
NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) today announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation for a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin.
“We are very pleased to be working with Range Resources as one of the key feedstock suppliers for our Corunna cracker,” said Randy Woelfel, Chief Executive Officer. “With the execution of this memorandum of understanding, we have made significant progress towards realizing our goal of assuring our Corunna cracker is the destination of choice for Marcellus based natural gas liquids.”
In addition to finalizing a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Range Resources, and customary reviews and approvals, the arrangement is subject to NOVA Chemicals finalizing a pipeline transportation agreement to transport ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin into the Sarnia, Ontario petrochemical market.
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at www.novachemicals.com.
Responsible Care® is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) in Canada and is a registered service mark of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in the United States.
Forward looking information: This news release contains forward-looking information regarding NOVA Chemicals' memorandum of understanding with Range Resources for the supply of ethane, including statements regarding NOVA Chemicals' progress toward realizing its goal of assuring its Corunna cracker is the destination of choice for Marcellus based natural gas liquids; and finalizing a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Range Resources and a pipeline transportation agreement to transport ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin into the Sarnia, Ontario petrochemical market. By its nature, forward-looking information requires NOVA Chemicals to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Some of the risks that could affect NOVA Chemicals' future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information are detailed in the publicly filed disclosure documents and securities commissions' reports of NOVA Chemicals. NOVA Chemicals' forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. In addition, the forward-looking information is made only as of the date of this news release, and except as required by applicable law, NOVA Chemicals undertakes no obligation to publicly update this forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Contacts
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Wendy Lomicka, Director, Corporate Communications, 412-490-4292
E-mail: lomickaw@novachem.com
LGS eyed as backup generating plant, minister says2011-04-19
An environmental assessment is in the works
By Shawn Jeffords from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Ontario's Energy Minister says an environmental assessment to prepare the Lambton Generating Station to burning biomass or natural gas is "imminent."
Brad Duguid told The Observer Monday the province wants to be prepared to convert the coal-fired station to an alternative fuel should some of its energy plan fall through. To this point, conversion has been discussed but little action has been taken at Lambton.
An environmental assessment does not mean conversion will happen or that hundreds of good-paying jobs at LGS will be saved, Duguid cautioned.
"What it does do is indicate that we're serious about ensuring that we have (LGS) there as a backup and there remains hope in that community that a form of energy generation is continuing to take place."
Lambton Generating Station is slated to close in 2014 when the rest of the province's coal stations are shuttered. The government will have a better idea by 2012 if conversion at Lambton or Nanticoke stations is needed, he said.
"Right now, it's a very valuable asset as a back-up that may be called into action," he said.
The province has applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to extend the life of its reactor in Pickering. If that bid is denied, Lambton could get the nod, Duguid said.
Officials at Ontario Power Generation are preparing an environment assessment for LGS, he said.
Andrew Block, an aid to the minister, later called to clarify that OPG is running a feasibility study on converting Lambton to natural gas, which would roll into the environment assessment. Public consultations could be held this fall.
Block added an EA of biomass conversion at LGS is not currently underway, but could also be undertaken later this year.
Duguid made it clear the coal phase-out is still on track. The province announced last week it has cut it's coal use by 90% since 2003 and improved air quality in the province as a result.
He called the coal phase-out the "single most significant climate change intuitive in North America.
"It hasn't been easy, we never anticipated it would be. There's a reason why, in all likelihood, we're the first jurisdiction in the world to have achieved this."
Duguid said he's aware the community will lose jobs if the station closes, but OPG is working with the energy workers union. At the same time, green energy jobs are being created, he added.
"Last year alone we created 13,000 new jobs. Many of those jobs are going into southwest Ontario and the Sarnia area."
Shale gas could have major impact on chemical sector2011-04-16
A conference on shale gas and its potential benefit for Sarnia-Lambton's chemical sector will be held on May 19. Following is an extract from The Observer:
By Shawn Jeffords, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The invitation-only event May 19 at the Pt. Edward Holiday Inn will focus on supporting and building local partnerships to develop the fledgling feedstock source.
Mike Ireland, senior development consultant with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, said shale gas is a "game changer" to many in the energy industry.
"We're trying to get the various players involved in the industry together in one room talking about the various projects," he said.
Shale gas is found in large quantities in the Marcellus deposits in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. The natural gas is buried deep in the ground under shale rock deposits, but is now being extracted.
Such 'wet gas' has several byproducts including ethane, a key building block in many petrochemical products and something traditionally arriving from Western Canada at great cost to refiners.
But the Marcellus shale deposit is changing that, and Sarnia's industry could benefit greatly. Two major pipeline projects are already in the initial development stages that would bring the feedstock to Sarnia, Ireland said.
"Right now, the most logical and economical thing to do with (the ethane) is to ship it to Sarnia, were both Nova and Imperial Oil can use that ethane to manufacture ethylene."
Some of the world's most widely used plastics are made from ethylene, including garbage bags and packaging.
A range of speakers will address the conference, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Sandra Pupatello, has been invited.
Dean Edwardson said the potential is great for shale gas and its byproducts, but it's vital to ensure the gas is extracted properly, he said.
"It has to be done in an environmentally correct way to ensure there is no impact on ground water."
Shale gas operations in Pennsylvania, where an estimated 2.8 trillion cubic feet is buried in deposits, have caught the eye of state regulators. Inspections have revealed improper waste water controls and unauthorized water withdrawal from area streams.
The shale boom raised alarm among environmentalists because of the threat of chemicals seeping into ground water through the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
But Edwardson said the early efforts seem to be encouraging and could help sustain the current Chemical Valley workforce.
"On the face of things, this is something to be fairly excited about," he said.
With files from Reuters.
New tenant for Warwick industrial park2011-04-12
From www.chok.com
Warwick Township has landed the first tenant for its Industrial Park. The family owned Watford Home Hardware will be moving to the site just north of the village once construction on a 12 thousand square foot, two million dollar Building Centre is completed. Co-owner Kevin Caris says they’re targeting an October opening.
The new store will even include a hair dressing salon. Mr Caris says they’ll be hiring a dozen new employees.
Suncor ethanol plant now largest in Canada2011-03-26
By Shawn Jeffords, From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
With the official opening of its expanded St. Clair Ethanol Plant on Friday, Suncor Energy now has the largest biofuels facility in Canada.
The $120-million expansion of the plant on the Rokeby Line doubled the production capacity to 400 million from 200 million litres of ethanol per year.
Suncor CEO Rick George told a crowd of dignitaries and plant workers the expansion fits seamlessly into the company's energy mandate.
"We really believe in the fact that we should be expanding energy choices to make sure our customers get energy at the cheapest possible price from multiple sources," he said.
Suncor has been working for a decade to establish a renewable energy business. The expanded ethanol plant and four Canadian wind projects have strengthened that objective, George said.
"It was a little bit scary. (We wondered) if we could actually make money doing this, and can we get it to be both safe and reliable?"
The investments are expected to displace one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent tailpipe emissions of 200,000 cars a year, company officials say.
George said he'd like to see the plant expand expand one day to include other plant materials as a fuel source, although more research is needed to make that a reality.
The facility is also a win for area farmers supplying its corn feedstock. It now has the capacity to process 100,000 bushels of corn a day and store 600,000 bushels a week.
Lambton Warden and St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold thanked the company for its investment, which created 250 construction jobs and employs 60 people on a permanent basis. He said the commitment to the community helped alleviate fears the plant would foul the local air, a promise the company has kept.
"(We were) trying to make sure that we weren't going to have the smells associated with some of the other ethanol facilities that are located not far from here," he said. " ... It's something that is foreign to this community."
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey lauded the workforce that helped build the plant. According to Ministry of Labour statistics, work done locally is 25 times safer than in any other jurisdiction in North America, he said.
The company also donated $25,000 to the Sombra Museum at a ceremony Friday morning.
"It's a great community with a great safety record, in terms of construction and operations," George said.
Drilling on spec2011-03-25
From www.country1039.com
A Calgary-based oil and gas company has locked up over 20-thousand acres of land rights in Lambton and Chatham-Kent.
Mooncor Oil & Gas Corporation Vice President Richard Cohen says they’ve had a geologist on site for the past four months.
The goal is to launch a spin-off company called DRGN Resources that will focus on conventional and unconventional drilling for oil, gas, and shale gas.
Cohen says Mooncor will be spending 500 to 700-thousand dollars in the area this summer. The company hopes to be drilling within three to four months.
Cohen says Mooncor will be spending 500 to 700-thousand dollars in the area this summer. The company hopes to be drilling within three to four months.
Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance launches website2011-03-24
For further information contact:
David Moody, Project Leader, Business Growth Services
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820 (mobile 519-381-9633)
david@sarnialambton.on.ca
Mike Banovsky, Co-Chairman
Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance
519-542-6682
banovsky@sarnialambtonindustrialalliance.com
March 24, 2011, Sarnia-Lambton ON - A new website is poised to help member companies of the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA) promote their services globally.
The recently-formed cluster of manufacturing, machine shop, engineering, and environmental service companies formally launched their new website on March 23, 2011. The site can be found at www.sarnialambtonindustrialalliance.com.
A key feature of the new website is a search engine which offers detailed information on the services provided by member companies of the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance. This feature makes it easy for potential clients to select which products or services they require and be provided with a list of local companies that are eager to assist with their needs.
The new site also features a short video displaying the diverse industrial skills available in Sarnia-Lambton, and also a brief history of the area.
David Moody, Project Leader, Business Growth Services, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, has been working to form the Industrial Alliance for nearly two years. He notes that local companies have embraced working together to market their capabilities and attract new business to the area.
Moody credits volunteers Chairman Larry MacDonald and Co-Chairman Mike Banovsky with keeping the project moving forward. “MacDonald and Banovsky have the industry knowledge and connections that are making the project a success,” says Moody. “They were selected by the group to lead the process and I can really understand why.”
Along with other marketing efforts on behalf of the Industrial Alliance, MacDonald and Banovsky will be travelling to Edmonton to participate in the Oil Sands Buyers Sellers Forum on March 29 – 31. They have been invited to provide promotional materials and make contact with potential clients through the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s booth at the Forum.
Funding for the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance website was supplied by the Federal Government’s National Research Council and was supported by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. Also included was funding to assist local companies in building or improving their individual websites and for training to help them maximize their marketing efforts.
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Project Mariner to Transport Marcellus Ethane to Canadian Markets2011-03-22
MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
Frank Semple, Chairman, President & CEO Thomas Golembeski (media) 215-977-6298
Nancy Buese, Senior VP and CFO Peter Gvazdauskas (investors) 215-977-6322
Dan Campbell, VP of Finance & Treasurer
Phone: (866) 858-0482
MarkWest Liberty and Sunoco Logistics Announce Expansion of Project Mariner to Transport Marcellus Ethane to Canadian Markets
DENVER AND PHILADELPHIA—March 22, 2011— MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC, a partnership between MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MWE) and The Energy & Minerals Group, and Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL) today announced the development of Project Mariner West, a pipeline project to deliver Marcellus Shale ethane from MarkWest Liberty’s Houston, Pennsylvania processing and fractionation complex to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada markets. Mariner West, which is being developed at the request of Marcellus producer customers and is supported by Sarnia ethane consumers, will utilize new and existing pipelines and is anticipated to have a maximum capacity to transport up to 65,000 barrels per day of ethane by the third quarter of 2012. Mariner West is an expansion of Project Mariner, a pipeline and marine project developed to transport ethane produced in the Marcellus Shale basin to US Gulf Coast and international markets by mid-2013.
To support deliveries to Canadian markets in 2012, MarkWest Liberty will make minor modifications to its natural gas processing complexes and will install ethane extraction facilities at its Houston complex to deliver ethane to Mariner West earlier than will be required for deliveries to Project Mariner. In addition, MarkWest Liberty will construct a 25-mile pipeline from the Houston complex to an interconnection with an existing Sunoco Logistics pipeline at Vanport, Pennsylvania. The ethane will then be transported from Vanport to markets in Sarnia utilizing existing Sunoco Logistics pipelines, which will be modified for ethane service. Project Mariner and Mariner West are both designed to provide Marcellus producers with access to multiple ethane markets to match the growing rich-gas production in the Marcellus.
“When combined with our growing NGL pipeline network in the Marcellus and our highly integrated Houston fractionation and marketing complex, Mariner West provides a very significant advantage to Marcellus producers,” said Frank Semple, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MarkWest. “MarkWest and The Energy & Minerals Group are very pleased to partner again with Sunoco Logistics to further expand the midstream services we provide to our producer customers.”
“Project Mariner West has the advantage of allowing us to modify our existing pipeline facilities to reach Sarnia, Canada where there is a market for Marcellus ethane. We are pleased to participate in Project Mariner West and to partner with MarkWest Liberty in serving Marcellus producer customers," said Lynn L. Elsenhans, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Logistics. “Our existing infrastructure is well positioned to provide an efficient solution for producers to move ethane to Sarnia as well as across Pennsylvania to a Delaware River marine port to access multiple markets.”
###
MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. is a master limited partnership engaged in the gathering, transportation, and processing of natural gas; the transportation, fractionation, marketing, and storage of natural gas liquids; and the gathering and transportation of crude oil. MarkWest has extensive natural gas gathering, processing, and transmission operations in the southwest, Gulf Coast, and northeast regions of the United States, including the Marcellus Shale, and is the largest natural gas processor and fractionator in the Appalachian region
The Energy & Minerals Group is the management company for a series of private equity funds totaling in excess of $2.5 billion of commitments. EMG focuses exclusively on making direct investments across the natural resources industry in conjunction with experienced management teams focused on hard assets that are integral to existing and growing markets. For additional information on EMG, please contact John Raymond at 713-579-5000.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL), headquartered in Philadelphia, is a master limited partnership that owns and operates refined products and crude oil pipelines and terminal facilities. The Refined Products Pipeline System consists of approximately 2,200 miles of refined products pipelines located in the northeast, midwest and southwest United States and equity interests in four refined products joint-venture pipelines. The Terminal Facilities consist of approximately 10 million shell barrels of refined products terminal capacity and approximately 24 million shell barrels of crude oil terminal capacity (including approximately 21 million shell barrels of capacity at the Nederland Terminal on the Gulf Coast of Texas). The Crude
Oil Pipeline System consists of approximately 5,400 miles of crude oil pipelines, located principally in Oklahoma and Texas.
This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary significantly from those expressed or implied in such statements and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although MarkWest and Sunoco Logistics each believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, MarkWest and Sunoco Logistics can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that affect operations, financial performance, and other factors as discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are those risks discussed in the periodic reports
MarkWest and Sunoco Logistics each file with the SEC, including each of their Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. You are urged to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and other disclosures made in those filings, specifically those under the heading “Risk Factors.” MarkWest and Sunoco Logistics do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.
Lambton County creating cultural plan2011-03-10
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A plan to define and enhance Sarnia-Lambton's cultural assets could improve chances for future senior government funding, says Lambton's manager of cultural services.
Robert Tremain said that's one potential benefit of incorporating key assets, like museums, galleries, libraries, parks, tourism and heritage, into all municipal decisions.
"It's about an umbrella plan that has to serve equally all parts of Lambton County," he said.
The first of three public forums to gather public input was held at Gallery Lambton this week, with about 25 participants.
Attendees were asked to discuss important cultural resources and ideas, in part, to make Lambton a more attractive place to tourists and immigrants.
"In recent years culture has been brought to the forefront as a means of promoting economic development and promoting tourism," Tremain said, noting youth retention and leisure options are other benefits.
The $45,000 project, led by a steering committee of community members and political and industry representatives, will present Lambton County council with a plan, followed by an official unveiling July 8.
There will be opportunities for public input before the final draft is sent to council, Tremain said.
Some participants were concerned the plan doesn't focus enough on sustainability.
"It scares me," said Shawn McKnight, owner of the Urban Nature Centre.
A cultural plan should incorporate sustainability, land use and natural resources into municipal planning, but he's not sure this one will, he said.
Funding was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Lambton County. The goal is to integrate culture into existing municipal plans for everything from economic development to natural trails, said Greg Baeker, senior consultant with Toronto-based AuthentiCity, a consultant hired to assist with the plan.
"A lot of the important outcomes will be economic outcomes, but there will also be things like a more vital downtown," he said, noting it's important the community has input.
Sarnia-Lambton's mix of rural and urban needs to be accounted for in the plan, along with the oil heritage district, a potential world heritage site, Baeker said.
The next public consultations take place March 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia, and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Shores Recreation Centre in Forest
New medical centre for central Sarnia2011-03-09
By Cath Dobson, www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Council has cleared the way for Vision Nursing Home to build a one-storey medical centre to serve residents and members of the public who don't have their own doctor.
The medical centre will be a stand-alone building on the east side of the nursing home, facing SCITS high school. It will not include a pharmacy.
At the same time, Vision intends to build a large addition on the south side of its Wellington Street facility to accommodate more nursing beds.
Rezoning and approval for an amendment to the city's official plan were required for the medical centre to move ahead.
The land in question was formerly designated as urban residential but a site specific amendment was approved this week at city council.
No objections were made at the public meeting.
Representatives for Vision Nursing have met with residential neighbours twice to talk about the proposal, said city planner Max Williams.
NOVA Chemicals Announces Memorandum of Understanding with Caiman Energy2011-03-08
From Financial Post http://www.financialpost.com/markets/news/index.html
Caiman Energy, LCC (Caiman) andNOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of ethane from Caiman’s Fort Beeler Plant near Cameron, West Virginia in the Marcellus Shale Basin. Under the terms of the agreement, Caiman will expand its existing Fort Beeler gas processing plant to facilitate the extraction of ethane from natural gas and NOVA Chemicals will purchase up to 20,000 barrels per day of ethane on a long-term basis.
“We are excited with this development and pleased to be working with Caiman for the supply of ethane from Marcellus Shale for the Sarnia, Ontario petrochemical market,” said Randy Woelfel, Chief Executive Officer. “NOVA Chemicals will continue to move forward aggressively with the steps necessary to assure our Corunna cracker is the destination of choice for Marcellus based natural gas liquids.”
In addition to finalizing a definitive purchase and sale agreement, and customary reviews and approvals, the arrangement is subject to NOVA Chemicals finalizing a pipeline transportation agreement to transport ethane from Fort Beeler into Ontario.
“The NOVA Chemicals project to move ethane to Sarnia will be instrumental in providing the flow assurances and value that producers need to develop natural gas in the liquids rich area of the Marcellus Shale,” said Jack Lafield, President and CEO of Caiman Energy. “We are pleased to be the first company committing volumes in support of such an important project for the producers and local workforce in the Marcellus Shale area.”
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at www.novachemicals.com.
About Caiman Energy, LLC
Caiman Energy is a midstream energy company focused on the design, construction, operation and acquisition of midstream assets. The company, currently pursuing midstream projects in emerging resource plays throughout the U.S., serves producers by providing natural gas gathering, compression, transportation, measurement, treatment, and processing. Caiman was founded in 2009 by partners Jack Lafield, Danny Thompson and Rick Moncrief, who bring more than 90 years of experience in the midstream industry. Caiman is a portfolio company of EnCap Flatrock Midstream which is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit www.CaimanEnergy.com.
Responsible Care® is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) in Canada and is a registered service mark of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) in the United States.
Forward looking information: This news release contains forward-looking information regarding NOVA Chemicals’ memorandum of understanding with Caiman for the supply of ethane from Caiman’s Fort Beeler Plant in the Marcellus Shale Basin, including statements regarding the planned expansion of Caiman’s existing Fort Beeler gas processing plant, NOVA Chemicals’ purchase of up to 20,000 barrels per day of ethane on a long-term basis, and NOVA Chemicals’ plans to assure that its Corunna cracker is the destination of choice for Marcellus based natural gas liquids. By its nature, forward-looking information requires NOVA Chemicals to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Some of the risks that could affect NOVA Chemicals' future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information are detailed in the publicly filed disclosure documents and securities commissions’ reports of NOVA Chemicals. NOVA Chemicals' forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. In addition, the forward-looking information is made only as of the date of this news release, and except as required by applicable law, NOVA Chemicals undertakes no obligation to publicly update this forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Contacts
For Caiman Energy, LLC
Casey Nikoloric, 303-320-6242 direct, 303-507-0510 cell
E-mail: casey.nikoloric@ten10group.com
or
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Wendy Lomicka, Director, Corporate Communications, 412-490-4292
E-mail: lomickaw@novachem.com
Sustainable Chem Alliance and Lambton College sign MOU2011-03-04
SARNIA, ON – The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (SCA) has entered into a collaboration agreement with Lambton College that will provide researchers and research facilities as well as specialists in a variety of areas to assist companies in achieving their business and research ventures, creating future commercial opportunities.
"We share the common goal of working with companies to help them develop early stage technologies that have the potential to move forward to the commercialization stage," says Dr. Murray McLaughlin, President and CEO of the SCA. "Our two organizations are also committed to support the development of greener technologies and processes in a growing and sustainable Canadian economy."
Dr. McLaughlin and Judith Morris, Lambton College Vice President Academic & Student Services, have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU formalizes six areas of collaboration:
Lambton College will provide on a fee for service basis, where appropriate, specialists to assist companies in their pursuit of a particular business/research venture;
The college will provide on a fee for service basis, where appropriate, researchers and research facilities to investing companies;
New companies will be apprised by the SCA as to the skills developed and training offered at the college, in an effort to encourage the hiring of Lambton College co-operative education students and graduates;
The SCA will provide new companies with contact names and general training options offered by the college's Contract Training Office;
Sustainable business and industry practices will be encouraged by both parties through a variety of mediums which could include contracted experts, training opportunities and ongoing educational awareness;
The college will assist with business ventures that extend to the Asian market, specifically to China.
"The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance and Lambton College excel at partnering," says Judith Morris. "Currently, we are collaborating on two research and commercialization projects with the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre. This MOU points the way to explore other avenues of collaboration and is a further step in cementing our relationship. The college's collaboration with the SCA, as well as with the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre and University of Western Ontario Research Park in Sarnia, is essential to support the innovation and commercialization needs of our companies to be globally competitive, to diversify and to participate in the new and more sustainable economy."
About the SCA
The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (www.suschemalliance.ca) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to promote growth and prosperity by fostering and supporting innovation, development, commercialization and related business activities and projects in the area of green and sustainable chemistry. SCA is supported by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.
About Lambton College
Lambton College (www.lambton.on.ca) was one of Ontario's first publicly funded colleges and officially opened in 1966. The college was originally founded on its technology programs, but today offers a wide variety of programs in health sciences, community services, public safety, fire science, business, liberal studies and technology. The main college campus is located in Sarnia and includes about 3,200 full-time and 5,000 part-time students. The college has international campuses in China, India and Saudi Arabia.
For more information contact:
Dr. Murray McLaughlin, PhD
President and CEO,
Sustainable Chemistry Alliance
Tel: 519-383-8303 ext. 237
Cell: 519-550-5525
Email: murraym@suschemalliance.ca
Project agreement to help lure major investment to Sarnia2011-03-01
By Cathy Dobson
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Twenty of Sarnia's trade and union groups have overwhelmingly endorsed a new project agreement to entice a new plant to the vacant Lanxess bioindustrial park in Chemical Valley.
"It's very important because it demonstrates that Lanxess is working diligently to develop their property," said Ray Curran of the Sarnia Construction Association. "It's very good news."
His association was the agent for Lanxess during negotiations with local contractors and 14 unions, which voted to support the agreement one week ago.
Lanxess was anxious to have a project agreement in place while it talks to investors about its 200-acre park on Vidal Street South, Curran said.
No specific projects have been named. However, the park's sustainability director recently confirmed Lanxess is in discussions with U.S. biofuels company Gevo Inc. and is urging the company to build a large isobutanol plant in Sarnia.
The project agreement is considered a critical tool in attracting new industry to Sarnia, because most U.S. projects have similar agreements, said Curran.
The Sarnia agreement states the region's 5,000 unionized workers and unionized contractors will work for a reduced standard wage for the duration of any project that locates on the Lanxess site. It also has a no-strike, no-lockout provision and standardizes hours of work.
"It's a very positive step that gives us hope that (the property) will develop into something," said Curran. "This agreement allows an owner that invests in our area to know exactly what his costs are going to be, and he knows he's going to be able to finish his project without any sort of strike or lockout.
"It's a big selling point."
Sarnia unions and labour groups have endorsed project agreements in the past that resulted in construction of new plants. The most recent examples are the two natural gas-fired power plants built in St. Clair Township two years ago.
Greenfield Energy on Bickford Line was a $700-million joint venture, followed by a second, $479-million power plant on Petrolia Line.
"It's nice to see Lanxess is trying to move on developing their site because we could use some capital projects," Curran said. "There's nothing major on the horizon right now."
Some $3 billion worth of work has been done under similar agreements in Sarnia over the past 15 years, Curran added.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley called the agreement a 'win-win,' noting these kinds of agreements are limited to projects worth a minimum of $50 million.
"There's ongoing interest in Chemical Valley sites and we're expecting something to unfold in the next six months," Bradley said.
"This is a good example of how industry and labour work together. Everybody wins."
Observer Article ID# 2998557
LANXESS sees opportunity for bio-based Sarnia plant2011-02-17
By Cathy Dobson, From The Observer www.theobserver.ca
Lanxess' latest investment in a U.S. corporation that's developing advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals is laying the groundwork for the possible construction of a large isobutanol plant on Vidal Street.
It's early yet but discussions are ongoing with Colorado-based Gevo Inc. to locate a production plant in the Lanxess bioindustrial park in Chemical Valley, says Archie Kerr, the park's sustainability director.
Lanxess' $17-million investment this week follows an earlier $10-million investment, giving Lanxess 9.1% of Gevo's initial public offering (IPO).
Gevo is developing a process that uses corn to produce the organic compound isobutanol. At the same time, Lanxess is working on a new process to convert isobutanol to isobutene, a key to manufacturing butyl rubber.
Lanxess is the world's second-largest producer of butyl rubber, which is sold to the tire and rubber industry. The company currently uses fossil fuels but wants to start making rubber with renewable resources, Kerr said.
"It's going to be a long process but, happily, it has started," he said.
Gevo is converting a small plant in Minnesota that's expected to be ready in 2012 for production of organic isobutanol.
Lanxess has successfully produced butyl rubber from isobutanol and is planning full-scale trials, said Kerr.
"We also have to talk to our customers so they can evaluate the product in their finished goods."
The next step is for Gevo to build a full-scale commercial plant capable of producing 100 million gallons of isobutanol a year. It's that plant that Lanxess wants to attract to its 200-acre bioindustrial park on Vidal Street South.
Kerr estimates a plant large enough to provide Lanxess with enough isobutanol could cost as much as $200 million.
It would be ideal for Lanxess if Gevo was located right next door to avoid transportation costs, he said.
"We could be Gevo's largest customer, at least to begin with ... They are going to build somewhere or convert an ethanol facility, wherever they can get the best financing or incentives or loan guarantees to take the risk out of a new facility."
Lanxess is working with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and the Sarnia sustainability chemistry alliance, and has approached the federal and provincial governments for help attract Gevo.
"To locate in Sarnia would take a lot of political will," he said. "There is an opportunity to develop a bio-hybrid chemical cluster in Sarnia Lambton, the same way that the chemical industry developed here in the 1930s and 1940s. We're encouraging the government, wherever we can, to take a look at how they would support a new industry."
Lanxess' investment in Gevo could "give us ... a stake in some of the decisions they might make," Kerr added.
Sarnia-Lambton's high-volume corn production might also be considered an asset by Gevo. Meanwhile, the science is still developing.
"Gevo is moving along and they believe they can make isobutanol economically and we believe we can convert it from isobutanol to isobutene.
"If you can make it run in a small plant, you can make it run in a large plant," Kerr said.
Largest craft chain coming2011-02-12
From The Observer www.theobserver.ca
Sarnia will soon have a Michael's retail store built between the new Winners and Petsmart stores near Walmart.
Michael's is North America's largest arts and crafts supply chain and has more than 1,000 locations throughout the US and Canada.
A building permit for $1.8 million was issued for Sarnia's new store in January after several requirements from the Ministry of Transportation were met, including the widening of Quinn Drive.
Michael's started in 1976 in Texas and is known for its classes, demonstrations and children's birthday parties.
Everything from scrapbooking and candles to beading, bakeware, sewing and general crafts will be available.
More resources for international students at Lambton College2011-02-03
From The Observer www.theobserver.ca
Lambton College has rolled out the welcome mat for international students.
The number of foreign students at Lambton jumped 270% this year to 400, largely from India, China and Nigeria.
The college is embracing the increase and, with a $100,000 donation from the Royal Bank, opened a new International Employment Training Centre on Thursday.
The office is designed to help students find part-time co-op opportunities and offer immigration advice and cultural and job search training.
It's geared to students in business management, information technology, and health and technology programs to help them settle in and find suitable employment in Canada.
College president Tony Hanlon said the investment will help Lambton attract more international students and ease a looming labour shortage as baby boomers retire.
"We know that Canada has a serious work force shortage coming. It's hard to get your head around that right now because we're still moving out of a recession ... but we don't have enough people coming forward. We know that from our demographic studies," he said.
A recent study by Lambton County planners estimated Sarnia-Lambton's population could shrink by 17,000 people, or 13%, over the next 20 years.
"We want to see Sarnia stay strong and we believe the college is a vibrant and an important part of it," said Michael Caverly, regional vice president with RBC.
The $100,000 donation will help strengthen the community and the work force through diversity, he said.
The money will also support sustainability workshops — held at the Lambton Inn and Bluewater Sustainability Centre — and improve the college's First Nations' Student Centre.
"They'll be some enhancements to the area," Hanlon said. "The addition of tutoring services and additional software programs that help with remediation programs, that kind of thing."
The college has about 130 First Nations students, he said, although the number could be higher because First Nations students have the option to self-identify.
Hanlon said he hopes the influx of international students will make the entire 3,200-student college more culturally aware and foster friendships that could lead to business partnerships.
The money brings Lambton's Inspiring the Future Fundraising Campaign to $3.8 million. Hanlon said the college hopes to reach the $5 million goal by the summer.
tkula@theobserver.ca
Canadian research centres partner in biorefining R&D2011-01-28
By Bryan Sims From Biorefining Magazine http://biorefiningmagazine.com
The Bioindustrial Innovation Center based out of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources, a research institute within the faculty of engineering of the University of Western Ontario located in Ilderton, Ontario, have forged a collaboration agreement to accelerate the development and commercialization of biofuels, renewable chemicals and coproducts into the Canadian marketplace.
A formal memorandum of understanding, which extends to March 31, 2013, was signed by the BIC and ICFAR at the national conference of the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation Network in London, Ontario, Canada on Jan. 11.
According to Murray McLaughlin, BIC executive director, both parties intend to focus on scaling and improving pyrolysis technologies that have been previously worked on by IFCAR led by its Director General Franco Berutti. "What we want to be able to do in our facility is work with their processes and shove them up probably up to 10 kilograms per hour, to get it moving to commercial scale," McLaughlin said. "Over the next six months I'm hoping that we get two or three projects signed that would come out of their research that would move into our facility."
In addition to pyrolysis, according to McLaughlin, the two groups also intend to delve into collaborative research in other areas of biorefining, such as torrefaction of biomass and, potentially, algae development. "[Algae] is one area we want to bring into this mix as well, because as algae gets produced, we have to make sure we can create the value of it and figure out the best way to utilize it cost-effectively, and more efficiently," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin told Biorefining Magazine that, although both groups intend to develop various biorefining technologies for the commercial market, BIC and ICFAR don't intend to go the journey alone.
"We're not in the business of taking things commercial ourselves," McLaughlin said. "We're in the business of working with industrial partners on that. We want to make sure we've got commercial interest and commercial partners that are willing to come in right away and all the way through the process."
Laying a local foundation for biofuels2011-01-27
From The Observer www.sarnialambton.on.ca
The head of Sarnia's Bioindustrial Innovation Centre (BIC) says its collaboration with a University of Western Ontario research institute is "a natural fit."
Executive director Murray McLaughlin was commenting on an agreement the centre signed this month with the university's Ilderton-based Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR).
It calls for the sharing of technology opportunities and collaboration on helping ideas for biofuels and bio-based chemicals get to market.
The institute has a strong research capability and works closely with industries, including oil companies, McLaughlin said.
While the institute can produce small amounts of bio-based products it researches, "they really need to also have the capability to move to more scale-up capabilities to product larger quantities," McLaughlin said.
"So, the opportunity is for us to work with them to expand their capabilities by doing some of that work at the research park in Sarnia."
The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre began operating in August, funded by government and the private sector. It provides labs and pilot plants for industrial-size testing and research of bio-based projects, with the aim of helping them reach commercial scale production.
One of the first tenants of its facilities at Sarnia's UWO Research Park is a $12-million cellulosic ethanol pilot plant Toronto-based Woodland Biofuels Inc. is expected to begin work in the coming months.
The centre's grand opening was held in the fall and it's now at work marketing and promoting its facilities, McLaughlin said.
"That's one of the reasons it was good timing to set something up with ICFAR."
Institute co-founder Franco Berrulit said in a press release the groups can "help southwestern Ontario establish itself as a leader in the development of sustainable biorefining and biofuels industries."
McLaughlin added, "It's a natural fit for ICFAR and BIC to be working together."
When the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre was officially launched in October, it was touted as North America's leading biotechnology incubator for fuels and products created from sustainable feedstocks, such as switch grass, soybeans, algae, corn and waste wood.
Observer article #2949126
Biofuels project promises low-cost auto fuels2011-01-21
From The Observer www.theobserver.ca
Construction will get underway soon on a $12-million demonstration plant in Sarnia that will have the potential to be the lowest cost producer of automotive fuel in North America, the company says.
Toronto-based Woodland Biofuels Inc. announced in April it would build its "cullulosic ethanol" facility at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre at Sarnia's UWO Research Park Campus in the fall.
Director Murray McLaughlin said delayed renovations at the centre and behind-schedule fundraising led to the setback, but he expects construction to begin soon.
"I'm hoping we'll see some activity in the next couple months," he said.
Woodland's claims about producing low-cost fuel are reasonable, he added.
"The technology looks good, and that's why we're interested in it," said McLaughlin, who is also a director of Sarnia's Sustainable Chemical Alliance.
The demonstration plant is expected to create up to 35 full-time and part-time jobs.
Once the pilot project has proven successful, McLaughlin hopes Woodland will develop a full-scale operation in the city as well.
"Sarnia's got a lot of good things going for it in terms of manufacturing, infrastructure and distribution," he said.
The partnership with Woodland has already garnered the interest of other companies in Sarnia, making them aware centre is available for early project testing, said McLaughlin.
"I definitely think it's a positive step for the Sarnia community."
Attracting residents2011-01-20
Attracting Residents
From CHOK Radio
An organization designed to successfully integrate newcomers to this area has received 235 thousand dollars in federal funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Sarnia Lambton Local Immigration Partnership co-ordinator Stephanie Ferrera says the cash infusion will ensure their work can continueat least to March of 2012. Ms. Ferrera says its especially important to this area to attract skilled immigrants to replace a rapidly aging workforce close to retirement.
Research investment2011-01-20
From CHOK Radio
Construction is about to begin on a 12-million dollar pilot project at Sarnia-Lambton's UWO Research Park. Mississauga-based Woodland Biofuels is moving forward with a 750-thousand litre demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol production facility. Financing has been secured, including 4-million dollars from the provincial government. Joel Adams, Executive Director at the Modeland Road facility, welcomes the investment. Woodland President & CEO Greg Nuttall says construction should be complete in 15 months. A year-and-a-half from now Nuttall says the company hopes to begin building a 20-million gallon commercial plant, but likely not in this area. Construction of the pilot plant is expected to create 25-50 jobs, with 10 jobs to be maintained at the plant
St. Clair solar farms sold2011-01-19
By Paul Morden, The Observer www.theobserver.ca
A pair of solar farms that First Solar Inc. plans to build in St. Clair Township this year are being sold to a Florida-based company.
The sale to NextEra Energy Inc., was announced in a press release on First Solar's website.
"First Solar's business model is that we're a manufacturer, developer, constructor of solar projects and solar farms," said Peter Carrie, First Solar's vice-president of business development in Canada.
"We're not an electricity generator, so we never own our projects once they come into service."
A 80-megawatt solar farm First Solar developed in Sarnia recently was sold to Enbridge Inc.
"We reach an agreement with a long-term owner and then we build the project and transfer it to them at completion," Carrie said.
St. Clair Mayor Steve Arnold said township council wasn't aware of the sale but added he wasn't concerned about the change.
"It could mean . . . somebody else sees a good opportunity too," Arnold said. "That's always a positive thing, if you have outside agencies taking a look at it and saying this is a place they want to invest."
In St. Clair Township, First Solar is planning to build a 20-megawatt solar farm on 297 acres of land northeast of Mooretown, north of Rokeby Line and west of Highway 40.
It's also planning a 20-megawatt solar farm on 347 acres east of Sombra Village, south of Bentpath Line and east of Baseline Road.
Both projects, Carrie said, are awaiting approval from the Ontario Ministry of Environment so construction can begin.
Carrie said he's expecting a ministry decision on the Moore project in February or March. "Sombra may follow, two to four weeks afterwards."
Construction will begin "quite promptly" once approvals are in place, and the projects are each expected to take about six months to complete, Carrie said.
Each of the farms in St. Clair will employ about 250 people during construction, he said.
The power from the farms will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under long-term contracts. The two centres are expected to provide enough power to serve about 6,440 homes.
Carrie said First Solar currently doesn't have any other projects planned for Lambton County.
Article ID# 2936239
Woodland Biofuels raises $12 million for demo plant2011-01-11
Woodland Biofuels Raises $12 Million for Demonstration Cellulosic Ethanol Plant at University of Ontario Sarnia-Lambton Research Park
From www.biofuelsjournal.com
Mississauga, ON—Woodland Biofuels announced Jan. 11 the closing of a common equity investment in Woodland to help build a groundbreaking demonstration plant that will efficiently produce cellulosic ethanol from renewable wastes.
The common equity investment is part of a $12 million demonstration plant financing.
Investors include the Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund (OETF), Investeco Capital, and David LeGresley, former Vice-Chairman of National Bank Financial.
OETF is a $250 million fund established by the Province of Ontario to co-invest alongside qualified investors in innovative, high-growth, private Ontario companies.
Investeco Capital is a private equity firm focussed primarily on high-growth companies with lasting competitive advantages.
The demonstration plant will use Woodland's patented technology, which can produce sustainable fuels from virtually any type of biomass, including wood waste, agricultural waste and municipal waste.
The technology generates no toxic emissions and eliminates the need to use food, such as corn, to produce ethanol.
"We are excited to be part of this important step towards the commercialization of Woodland's process," said Andrew Heintzman, President of Investeco Capital.
"The potential of the opportunity is truly enormous, and we believe the Woodland team has the skills and ability to execute."
"We expect this demonstration plant to show that Woodland will be the lowest cost producer of automotive fuel in North America," said Greg Nuttall, President and CEO of Woodland.
"This financing further validates Woodland's technology and business, moving us another step closer to leadership in the biofuels market."
The plant will be located at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, in the University of Western Ontario's Sarnia-Lambton Research Park.
Sarnia had robust building year2011-01-06
By Paul Morden, From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Construction in Sarnia had a total value of $90.5 million in 2010, city hall says.
That's down from $99.3 million in 2009 when three new school projects helped boost the numbers, said Alan Shaw, Sarnia's chief building official.
"Historically, we actually did very well."
In fact, last year posted the fifth highest construction total from the last two decades in Sarnia, he said.
There were 144 single family homes started in 2010, compared to 125 the year before.
That made last year a good one for the local homebuilding industry, said Matt McEachran, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Homebuilders Association.
"It's not great. There are years we hit over 200," he said.
The new home market in Sarnia enjoyed it hay days in 2007 and 2008, McEachran said.
But he's expecting activity to pick up in spring and for builders to have "an average to slightly better than average" year.
He said the industry should be helped by low interest rates and lumber costs.
"It won't stay low forever," McEachran said about the cost of building materials. "As soon as the U.S. picks up again, we're going to get hit here, but I think we've got some time before that happens."
Sarnia remains "very much a bungalow town," with one-floor homes continuing to be popular with buyers, he said.
"When the recession first hit . . . they wanted smaller homes and they wanted less options. The price tag probably fell about $20,000 almost overnight."
Since then buyers have want small homes, "but now all the options are back and more," he said.
Shaw said he expects Sarnia's 2011's total construction value to end up in the range of $90 million to $100 million.
More commercial development is expected on Quinn Drive, near Highway 402.
A Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and a Michael's Retail Store project there are waiting for approval from Ontario's Ministry of Transportation before they can move ahead.
A nearly $7-million Country Inn and Suites, a four-storey and 105-room hotel project is still on the books for Exmouth Street, but the developers have had it on hold for some time now.
"We're told that they're still interested but are noncommittal at this time," Shaw said.
pmorden@theobserver.ca
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