Ecostrat and BMI Group Launch Collaboration to Accelerate Conversion of Legacy Pulp & Paper Assets into Next-Generation Biorefineries Using BDO Zone Ratings

March 12, 2026 — Ecostrat and BMI Group today announced a collaboration to leverage BDO Zone Ratings to ‘ready-state’ BMI’s legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation investment in the bioeconomy.

The collaboration will use BDO Zone Ratings to advance the development of multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties.

“Canada has legacy mill assets, fibre resources, and communities looking for new investment,” said Jordan Solomon, CEO of Ecostrat. “What is often missing is consistent, investment-grade regional intelligence that helps developers and investors assess where new projects can move with greater confidence. When that gap is filled, investment often follows, as demonstrated by more than $10 billion in plant announcements in BDO Zones to date.”

Paul Veldman, CEO of the BMI Group, added: “We are making our sites available as early candidates for this work because we believe Canada can lead the world in transforming legacy forest-industry assets into the next generation of biorefineries. Putting wood back to work ensures that every part of the fibre stream supports new products, new industries, and renewed opportunity for forestry communities.”

BMI Group has acquired a portfolio of nine former pulp and paper mill sites across Canada with the intention of repurposing them for new industrial uses. Through this collaboration, BMI is making selected assets available as early candidates for BDO Zone assessment work led by Ecostrat to strengthen investment attraction, reduce early-stage development risk, and support market diversification in Canada’s forest regions.

BMI’s Bioveld North project in Espanola, Ontario, exemplifies this model in action. The site is being developed as a full-fibre bioproduct hub focused on putting wood back to work and creating new opportunities in advanced materials, renewable energy, and next-generation fibre manufacturing. Tools like the BDO Zone framework can help accelerate investment into sites like Espanola by providing developers and investors with a clearer understanding of feedstock availability, infrastructure, and site readiness.

The companies said the collaboration is intended to serve as an early private-sector signal of confidence in the broader use of BDO Zone assessments across Canada, and to encourage government support for market-diversification efforts that strengthen Canada’s ability to attract global project developers and international investment to its forest regions. 

As the federal government considers how to accelerate market diversification and attract new forms of manufacturing to forest communities, this collaboration highlights the importance of practical tools that help identify, assess, and present regionally competitive opportunities.

Media Contacts:

Olga Patronik
Executive Project Coordinator
BMI Group
[email protected]
1-888-264-4258

Jordan Solomon
CEO – Ecostrat Inc.
Chairman – BDO Zone Initiative
[email protected]
647-297-4590

About the BMI Group

The BMI Group is a redevelopment company focused on "ready-stating and re-futuring" legacy pulp and paper infrastructure for high-impact, multi-use developments across industrial, commercial, residential, and hospitality sectors. With more than two decades of experience and a portfolio of 10 former pulp and paper industrial sites across North America, BMI delivers new opportunities to advance community and environmental well-being.

Paul Veldman is the Chief Executive Officer of the BMI Group. For more information on the BMI Group, visit www.thebmigroup.ca.

About Ecostrat and The BDO Zone Initiative

Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-based project development. It established the industry standard for BDO Zones, work that helped lay the foundation for Canada’s national BDO Zone assessment standard, CSA TS-005:25. Over the past three years, 61 rated BDO Zones across North America have been associated with more than $10 billion in plant announcements. 

Jordan Solomon is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and CEO of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com). For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact [email protected]. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org.  Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.