EDMONTON – Wood pellet manufacturer Pinnacle Renewable Energy has joined the Alberta Forest Products Association. The company’s new plant at Entwistle, AB, represents an $85-million investment in Alberta’s economy.

Pinnacle has seven manufacturing facilities in Alberta and British Columbia and shipping capacity through the Port of Prince Rupert.

“I am very pleased that Pinnacle has chosen to join our association,” said Paul Whittaker, president and CEO of the AFPA. “Their investment in Alberta will help to diversify the economy and create jobs.”

“We are very excited to join the AFPA,” said Leroy Reitsma, president and COO of Pinnacle. “The association has a tremendous history, representing Alberta’s most sustainable industry for 75 years. As a company that is focused on sustainability, we are proud to be part of the AFPA’s future.”

The manufacturing of wood pellets is a growing business in Alberta. Pellets make use of residual materials from the manufacturing of lumber. These residuals typically include bark, sawdust, and other parts of a log that are unsuitable for lumber production. By utilizing these materials for pellets, the forest sector helps to achieve maximum value from the resource and eliminate waste.

Pellets are shipped to customers in Asia and Europe, where they are principally used as a source of heating for industrial and utility applications.