Press Releases

Lac-Mégantic, January 16, 2012 - Sam Hamad, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, and Johanne Gonthier, MNA for Mégantic-Compton, confirmed today that Investissement Québec will grant a $5-million loan to the particleboard manufacturer Tafisa Canada and that RECYC-QUÉBEC will offer the company $450,000 in funding.

With the funds, Tafisa will purchase equipment to increase the use of recycled wood in its particleboard as an alternative to wood fibre. This change will reduce supply costs and allow the company to expand its product line and better meet its customers' needs.

"With 325 employees, Tafisa is a major economic player in the region," Gonthier said. "I'm pleased the company is investing in such an eco-friendly project. And thanks to its productivity gains, Tafisa will be able to ensure its long-term sustainability and preserve local jobs."

RECYC-QUÉBEC's contribution is related to the positive environmental impact of the project, which will enable the company to recycle 244,000 metric tons of wood a year, the equivalent of about two million trees.

"The economic situation these past years has been difficult for wood-processing plants," Hamad said. "The Québec government is proud to support Tafisa. By investing $10 million in production equipment and capital assets, it will be able to maintain its leadership position despite the rising cost of raw materials and competition from emerging countries."

"Our government believes it's essential to support projects like this one by Tafisa, which is doubling the amount of salvaged wood the company can recover," said Pierre Arcand, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks. "Its operations have a major environmental impact, as well as very important economic and social benefits for Québec. The success of the four support programs announced when the new Residual Materials Management Policy was launched last spring attests to the strength of Québec's waste recovery sector."

"Thanks to the loan from Investissement Québec, we can go forward with this project, which will greatly boost the use of recycled wood in our particleboard, thereby ensuring our plant's competitiveness and our workers' future," said Louis Brassard, Tafisa Canada's Chief Operating Officer.

About Tafisa Canada

Tafisa Canada runs North America's largest plant producing particleboard and decorative melamine panels. Tafisa combines state-of-the-art technology, a highly skilled team and best industry practices in producing TafiPan® particleboard and TafiLam® thermofused melamine panels. The company is committed to meeting the highest standards for production, quality, innovation and service. Tafisa Canada is a subsidiary of the Portuguese group Sonae Indústria.

About Investissement Québec

Investissement Québec's mission is to foster the growth of investment in Québec, thereby contributing to economic development and job creation in every region. The Corporation offers businesses a full range of financial solutions, including loans, loan guarantees and equity investments, to support them at all stages of their development. It is also responsible for administering tax measures and prospecting for foreign investment.

About RECYC-QUÉBEC

Concerned with helping Quebecers find innovative ways to sustainably manage residual materials so we may become a waste-free society, RECYC-QUÉBEC encourages reduction at the source, reuse, recycling and recovery of residual materials. RECYC-QUÉBEC therefore seeks to influence how products are manufactured and consumed. It is the designated organization for coordinating recovery activities under Québec's Residual Materials Management Policy.

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Sources:

Harold Fortin
Press Officer
Office of the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
418 691-5650

Véronique Lachance
Political Assistant
Office of the MNA for Mégantic-Compton
819 583-4500

Sarah Shirley
Press Officer
Officer of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks
418 521-3911

Information:

Investissement Québec

1 866 870-0437

Nancy Dubé
Communications and Media Relations Adviser, RECYC-QUÉBEC
418 643-0394, ext. 3238
Toll-free: 1 866 523-8290