A central focus for Red Leaf in 2025 was advancing our flagship: North America’s first large-scale non-wood pulp mill. Throughout the spring, our team reached key engineering and design milestones, including completing more than 30% of our Front-End Engineering Design (FEED). This progress laid essential groundwork for detailed contractor negotiations and execution planning.
Another major milestone was confirming a $200 million investment in a biomass-powered steam and power facility. This facility will underpin low-carbon, self-generated energy for the mill, supporting both operational efficiency and our broader sustainability vision of co-locating renewable energy with alternative fibre production.
In August, Red Leaf announced a strategic alignment with the Canopy Planet Society through the signing of a Canopy Innovator Policy. This step reinforces our commitment to responsible sourcing and next-generation fibre pathways that protect forests and ecosystems while scaling sustainable alternatives.
Our expanding network of advocates and partners continues to validate the potential of our approach. Engagement with leaders across packaging, sustainability innovation, and circular materials ecosystems has elevated Red Leaf’s visibility and impact across the industry.
In fall 2025, Red Leaf went beyond pulp by spotlighting innovation in wheat straw lignin, a naturally occurring biopolymer with remarkable potential in advanced material markets. Our proprietary process extracts low-ash, sulfur-free lignin suitable for high-value applications such as synthetic graphite for batteries, bioplastics, semiconductors, and other clean-tech materials.
More than a byproduct solution, this work demonstrates how a circular, agricultural feedstock can unlock entirely new supply chains for renewable materials, widening the horizon for what alternative fibre production can become.
Consumer-centric thought leadership was another focus area throughout 2025. Our Natural Golden-Tone Tissue blog introduced a simple but impactful idea: delivering performance and comfort without unnecessary bleaching and whitening steps. This approach aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency, fewer processing inputs, and genuine sustainability.
By inviting converters, brands, and consumers into this conversation, Red Leaf is helping shift perceptions of what sustainable materials can look – literally and figuratively.
Across social platforms such as LinkedIn, Red Leaf strengthened connections with partners, talent, and supporters. Highlights included
Each post helped broaden understanding of our mission and the real-world impacts we are building toward.
As we step into 2026, Red Leaf stands on the threshold of transformational execution. With construction slated to begin this year and operations targeted for 2028, the foundation built in 2025 – technical, strategic, and relational – sets the stage for impact across industries and geographies.
We are deeply grateful to our producers, partners, and community supporters who continue this journey with us toward a climate-positive, circular economy. Thank you for being part of a year defined by innovation, commitment, and momentum.
Here’s to an impactful 2026.
- The Red Leaf Pulp Team