Congratulations are in order as per a joint (Domtar and FPInnovations) news release (this link leads to the joint release, a backgrounder, and a Govt. of Québec release),

Domtar Corporation (NYSE/TSX: UFS) and FPInnovations today announced that they have formed a new joint venture company to build the world’s first one metric ton per day commercial-scale nanocrystalline cellulose demonstration plant at the Domtar Windsor, Quebec pulp and paper mill site. Construction will begin in the coming weeks and will take approximately 20 months to be completed.

I first mentioned FPInnovations and their work with nanocrystalline cellulose  in my Nov. 3, 2009 posting but if you want a refresher course about the material here’s a comment from the company’s CEO,

“This is an important milestone cumulating over 15 years of R&D investments towards the future development of fiber-based products for the industrial world. During this time FPInnovations developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio around the manufacturing and application of nanocrystalline cellulose,” said Pierre Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of FPInnovations. “I am confident that this partnership and the strong support of both governments will lead to exciting and successful new commercial applications.”

Nanocrystalline cellulose is a renewable, recyclable and abundant nanomaterial made of cellulose fibers from the wood pulp manufacturing process. Potential applications include optically-reflective films, high-durability varnishes, and innovative bioplastics. The properties of this material will provide new opportunities in a wide range of applications for a variety of sectors and markets such as the aerospace, automotive, chemical, textile and forestry industries.

I look forward to hearing more about nanocrystalline cellulose.