October 21, 2024 — Water consumption is a significant challenge in timber and pulp and paper production, where large quantities are needed for growing trees, processing logs, and manufacturing products. Managing water efficiently is difficult, especially given the geographic spread of forestry operations, variations in climate, and the need for accurate, real-time data on water use. Excessive water use can lead to environmental degradation, increased costs, and inefficiencies in the supply chain.
However, innovation in water measurement technologies can address these challenges by enabling precise tracking of water consumption. These innovations can optimize water usage, reduce waste, and minimize the environmental footprint of forestry operations. Ultimately, they enhance sustainability, improve operational efficiency, and ensure long-term resource management, benefiting both the environment and the industry's bottom line.
A Search for Solutions
CMPC, one of the leading global pulp and paper companies, in collaboration with Foresight Canada, is seeking innovative solutions to further refine their water usage through the CMPC Smart Forest Solutions Challenge. This challenge seeks to develop precise and comprehensive hydrological zoning that optimizes the use of natural precipitation, reducing the need for irrigation. By doing so, it aims to enhance sustainability and efficiency in forestry practices.
Understanding the water consumption of different tree species from the seedling stage to pre-harvest allows pulp and paper manufacturers like CMPC to make better decisions about their water supply. The challenge objective is to measure the water consumption of different tree species depending on their location and the weather conditions of the area. This information will support future decision-making based on different weather conditions, which is key to a more efficient and sustainable pulp and paper manufacturing process.
The CMPC Smart Forest Solutions Challenge invites innovators to submit solutions that can accurately measure water usage in units of water consumption per tree per hour/day in different locations. Ideal solutions should be cost-competitive, easy to apply, and scalable across CMPC’s plantations. Solutions should also rely on remote tools or sensors and provide fast results.
Next Steps for Innovators
CMPC Smart Forest Solutions Challenge offers a significant opportunity for innovators to drive positive change in the forestry industry, contributing to a more sustainable future. Apply now or join the informational webinar on Tuesday, November 26 at 9:00 am PST/12:00 pm EST. Register now to secure your spot.
The CMPC Smart Forest Solutions Challenge is conducted in partnership with Foresight Canada and CMPC.
Contributing to a sustainable society is part of CMPC's purpose. This challenge will help us reach our water usage objectives by developing hydrological zones for planting forest species, ensuring an adequate water supply. The information produced will also support future decision-making, based on climate change scenarios. By being assertive about the relationship between water consumption and species, we can plant more water-efficient species without compromising productivity.
— Sebastián Corthorn Open Innovation Leader, CMPC
About CMPC
CMPC produces and commercializes products based on pulp, paper, wood, and tissue. The company was born in 1920 with the production of papers and cardboards, and today commercializes its products through its three main businesses: pulp, biopackaging and softys, reaching more than 25,000 direct clients around the world.
CMPC has 54 industrial plants in nine countries in America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay. Its worldwide presence reaches 12 countries, including three commercial offices in the USA, Germany, and China; and an innovation office in Finland.
CMPC’s corporate purpose: “We make natural fibers for a better future,” is integral to the company's way of doing business and guides its actions and operations towards a sustainable future on a day-to-day basis.
About Foresight Canada
Foresight Canada helps the world do more with less, sustainably. As Canada's largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator, they connect public and private sectors to the world’s best clean technologies. They de-risk and simplify adoption of solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and economic competitiveness, all while addressing urgent climate challenges. Foresight is well-positioned to lead the green economic transition, having supported 1,280+ companies to generate $511M in revenue and $1.77B in capital support, run 60+ industry challenges, created 8,760+ green jobs, and reduced a projected 70+ Mt of GHG emissions. Find out how they’re redefining acceleration at foresightcac.com and join the conversation on LinkedIn.
