Groupe Savoie Biomass Recovery Challenge
The Groupe Savoie Biomass Recovery Challenge sought innovative solutions to optimize biomass utilization, improve resource efficiency, and reduce forestry waste. As the winner of the Challenge, Northern Hardwoods Research Institute successfully piloted their advanced forestry modelling system, received increased visibility and reputation, and secured a pathway for long-term commercialization.
WINNER
Northern Hardwoods Research Institute (NHRI)
Founded in 2012, the NHRI is an innovative partnership between the forest sector, governments, and academia.
The applied research conducted at NHRI is executed in order to produce and mobilize the knowledge and tools required to optimally manage northern hardwoods and mixed forests, in terms of resource growth, timber value, and long-term sustainability.
Through the years, the NHRI has become a knowledge hub on the subject matter and evolved into a pivotal applied research and knowledge mobilization player among specialists, decision-makers, private enterprise, and the research community.
PARTNERS
Group Savoie and New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF)
Founded in 1978, Groupe Savoie is a leading, vertically integrated producer of high-quality hardwood products, including pallets, lumber, and ecological fuels. Their core mission is to maximize the value of forest resources while ensuring sustainable forest practices and contributing to community development.
The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) helps people propel their innovative ideas onto the global stage. Since 2003, NBIF has invested more than $175 million into startup businesses and applied research in New Brunswick. These foundational investments have attracted an $825 million of additional investment, giving New Brunswick innovators $1 billion to take their ideas further.
Challenge Outcomes
Groupe Savoie sought solutions to enhance the efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall sustainability associated with hardwood biomass extraction and transportation from cut sites.
Northern Hardwoods Research Institute (NHRI) was selected as the winner for its advanced forestry modelling system. This technology utilizes remote sensing and geospatial data to predict biomass availability and model operational costs, enabling Groupe Savoie to optimize how and where it harvests.
With their pilot opportunity, NHRI is advancing its predictive models to forecast biomass value and optimize harvesting operations. This digital tool's preliminary look suggests a 15% cost reduction. In the meantime, Groupe Savoie is learning and testing how the tool predicts the movement of trees from cutting to processing. To enhance the progress, they are also upgrading their forwarder equipment, enlarging the bunks/grapples to increase biomass capacity and reduce fuel consumption.
Beyond the financial prize, winning the challenge has had a significant impact on both sides:
- Increased Visibility and Reputation: For NHRI, the pilot program has helped them develop their technology. As their predictive model advances, they hope to be a leading solution provider and expand the technology to new application areas.
- Long-Term Commercialization: The data from this pilot will help NHRI build and refine its models for other applications, including wildfire fuel modelling. NHRI also plans to develop a "best practices" case study to share with the wider industry.
NBIF is proud to support bold solutions that push innovation forward. By sponsoring the Biomass Innovation Challenge with Foresight, we’re helping unlock the potential of New Brunswick’s forest biomass as a renewable energy source. The winning solution from Northern Hardwoods Research Institute, in collaboration with Groupe Savoie, marks a significant step toward accelerating bioenergy adoption. This pilot project is part of NBIF’s Climate Impact Fund, a strategic initiative advancing clean technology and climate adaptation in support of the province’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Jeff White CEO and President, NBIF
Innovative technologies are needed to improve hardwood biomass recovery by reducing waste, optimizing resource use, and supporting sustainable forestry practices.
Challenge Statement
Groupe Savoie sought solutions to enhance the efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall sustainability associated with hardwood biomass extraction and transportation from cut sites.
Achieving greater efficiency of harvesting this forest biomass will enable this material to be used as a biofuel. Viable solutions could include innovation and modification of forestry harvesting equipment and methods, or the development of logistical and data tools to optimize the deployment of harvesting equipment and personnel.
Challenge Opportunity
This Challenge offered a unique opportunity for the Challenge winner to collaborate directly with Groupe Savoie on a 12-month pilot, showcasing their solution in a real-world environment.
The winner gained industry recognition and the chance to make a significant impact on sustainable forestry practices.
Challenge Background
Groupe Savoie efficiently prepares biomass on site using feller-bunchers without reducing process productivity. However, the forwarders are currently limited to handling 5.75 tonnes per trip, as they are not adapted to handle larger volumes. Enhancing the basket and grapple capabilities of forwarders could significantly increase productivity and lower extraction costs.
Preparing more biomass from shortwood operations without a feller-buncher will result in additional costs at the harvesting stage. Solutions must focus on minimizing these added expenses.
There are prototype forwarders adapted for biomass, but nothing yet standard or commercial. Some adaptations work well, others less so. Customized forwarders will need to be developed by leveraging existing prototypes and adaptations.
The Northern Hardwoods Research Institute is privileged to have been awarded this opportunity by Foresight Canada and NBIF to collaborate with Groupe Savoie on developing feasible and sustainable solutions for utilizing residual forest biomass in their harvesting operations.
This initiative is critical to increasing production volumes that will contribute to greener energy solutions and reduce GHG emissions both locally and globally. Without this funding initiative, this important project would not have been possible.
Gaetan Pelletier Executive Director, Northern Hardwoods Research
Eligibility
Successful solutions:
- Recovered an additional 15,000 tonnes of biomass for the same volume of roundwood harvested
- Ensured consistent supply to pellet mill and create opportunities to sell volume for green energy projects
- Reduced extraction costs by $4/ton over 35,000 tons, saving $140,000 annually.
- Reduced GHG emissions
- Were compatible with existing equipment and/or processes and required minimal training and workforce to implement
- Were scalable
Challenge Updates
April 10, 2025: Winner announced
February 21, 2025: Applications closed
February 4, 2025: Informational webinar held
January 13, 2025: Applications opened
News
Our Partners
The Biomass Recovery Challenge is run with support from our bioNEXT program, Groupe Savoie, and NBIF.
Find Market-Ready Innovation without the Risk
We connect industry with the world's best clean technologies. From agriculture to water to oil and gas, our Challenge program works to connect end-users with cleantech solutions to overcome sustainability and operational hurdles.