(ESPANOLA, ON) – April 10, 2025 – A new chapter is unfolding for the idled pulp and paper mill in Espanola, Ontario, as BMI Group announces plans to acquire the historic industrial site through its newly formed subsidiary, Bioveld North Inc.
The deal, currently pending regulatory approval, sees Bioveld North entering into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Domtar, the current owner of the mill. Until the sale closes, Domtar will maintain control of the property.
The move marks the expansion of BMI’s footprint across Ontario and Quebec, establishing a northern counterpart to its successful Bioveld Niagara industrial hub in Thorold. The Espanola site will join BMI’s growing network of revitalized industrial and multimodal locations stretching from Iroquois Falls to Baie-Comeau on the Atlantic coast.
As part of the agreement, Bioveld North will also acquire a 16-megawatt hydropower plant and dam that currently supply energy to Ontario’s power grid. BMI Group plans to invest in the energy assets to ensure their long-term sustainability and regional benefit.
Known for transforming dormant industrial sites through a process it calls "ready-stating and re-futuring," BMI Group has repurposed infrastructure across Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan, breathing new life into properties left idle by traditional industries.
Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI Group, emphasized collaboration and local engagement as key to the project’s success. “We look forward to working closely with the Town of Espanola, neighbouring Anishinabek communities, and both Federal and Provincial governments to realize the competitive advantages of this remarkable region,” he said.
The Espanola mill was indefinitely closed in 2023, impacting 450 workers. Currently, 32 employees remain on-site to manage and maintain the facility. Veldman highlighted the importance of their continued involvement: “The knowledge and skills of the people here are second to none. Their expertise will be critical in shaping the next chapter.”
While specific redevelopment plans have yet to be disclosed, BMI Group says the acquisition signals its commitment to honoring Espanola’s industrial heritage while exploring new, innovative uses for the site and its infrastructure.