Rentech nears completion of Atikokan wood pellet plant

The wood pellet production facility being built by Rentech in Atikokan in the Canadian province of Ontario has commenced start-up. The company says the plant will undergo safety inspections, equipment testing and final commissioning in the upcoming weeks.

'I'm pleased to reach this important milestone at the Atikokan facility,' comments Sean Ebnet, senior VP of Rentech's wood fibre business. 'Our Canadian team has done a superb job managing the construction of Rentech's first two pellet plants, through one of the worst winters on record. We are excited about beginning operations and bringing jobs back to these communities.'

The plant, which has been designed to manufacture 100,000 tonnes a year of wood pellets, is expected to commence production in the coming weeks.

The existing arrangement of delivering third-party pellets to Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will be curtailed as the plant ramps up production. Under the terms of the long-term contract, OPG will purchase 45,000 tonnes of pellets annually from Rentech's Atikokan plant. The remaining output will be sold to either OPG or other customers.