May 19, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. West Fraser Timber will boost its environmental performance and contribute to a more sustainable pulp and paper industry in Canada with help from a significant investment by the Government of Canada, as ForestTalk reported. West Fraser's Hinton Pulp Mill will receive $15 million in funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program (PPGTP) for its Pressure Diffusion Washer Project, creating a more efficient pulping process by reducing water consumption and redirecting more steam for the production of clean energy. “This project shows that with smart investment in new technologies, pulp mills can increase their clean energy production, improve their environmental performance, and still provide important forest products to consumers,” said Minister of State for Transport Rob Merrifield. “This specific, targeted investment will help lay the groundwork for a greener and more prosperous future for Canada’s pulp and paper sector.” Steam savings gained through this project will translate into 3,580 megawatt-hours of additional energy a year — enough to power the equivalent of 2,800 homes. In addition, a key benefit of the project will be the reduced use of natural gas as clean energy production increases — lowering greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes a year. “The installation of a pressure diffuser washer will allow Hinton Pulp to meet these energy efficiency goals by reducing the volume of natural gas consumed and increasing the facility's production of green power,” said Brian Grantham, General Manager, Hinton Pulp. “The successful completion of this project is expected to be an important step for Hinton Pulp in improving its overall competitiveness and long-term outlook.” West Fraser Timber is one of 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada that qualified for credits under the $1 billion program, based on their 2009 production levels of black liquor, a liquid by-product of the pulping process used to generate heat and power.