Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Fuel pellet maker to supply Italian market

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

An Ontario fuel pellet manufacturer has inked a $36 million agreement to supply homes and institutions in northern Italy with biofuel.

Ian Moncrieff, president and CEO of Canadian Biofuel, based in Chatham, says the contract is for five years and has been brokered by U.S.-based Greene’s Energy Group LLC. Moncrieff says he cannot reveal the name of the purchaser because of a confidentiality agreement. Other news reports have identified the company as Toronto-based Green Dot Biomass Energy Company Inc. According to its website, Green Dot’s Italian-based parent company is Helios S.R.L.

A Green Dot representative did not respond to an emailed request for an interview but did acknowledge during a brief telephone conversation that she was familiar with Canadian Biofuel.

Moncrieff says the pellets will be burned in central heating plants serving apartments and institutional residences.

“The demand for pellets in Europe is going up exponentially,” he says, noting the demand for pellets in Italy is expected to reach three million tonnes this winter and the country has the capacity to produce only 600,000 tonnes. Previously, Italy turned to northern European countries to make up the difference “however those countries are beginning to use more domestically, which means there’s less to export.”

The agreement will mean increasing Canadian Biofuel’s Springford facility’s production capacity to 48,000 tonnes a year. The plant’s current capacity is 27,000 tonnes annually based on operating 24 hours, six days a week. The facility is located in a former Cargill grain elevator and began production in February.

Moncrieff says the facility makes the pellets from clean, recycled wood.
He’s keen to eventually add pellets made out of energy crops such as miscanthus and switchgrass.

The facility currently employs seven people and the contract will require 15 new hires as well as the addition of another pellet machine, he says. “We have to start delivering 1,200 tonnes of pellets by July 15 bulk in shipping containers and, by October 1, 4,000 tonnes per month.” BF

Current Issue

October 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Precision Harvesting with HeadSight and TrueSight

Friday, October 17, 2025

Modern harvesting relies heavily on precision and smart technology, and new systems for head height control and steering are making sure you are not leaving bushels in the field. These innovations ensure efficient crop collection, protect equipment, and reduce operator fatigue during... Read this article online

Massey Ferguson DM Series Triple Mower Overview

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Massey Ferguson continues to lead the way in hay and forage innovation with its DM Series Triple Mower, a machine designed to maximize efficiency, reduce downtime, and deliver outstanding cutting performance for farmers of all sizes. With an overall working width of 32 feet, including... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top