Domtar joined Cégep de Jonquière and other public and private partners to support the development of the TERRE Center. The TERRE Center will be a CAN$23 million renewable energy research facility in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec.
Domtar's Wood Products business contributed lumber construction materials at the start of the TERRE Center's construction in August.
"At Domtar, we firmly believe that innovation comes through collaboration. Supporting a project like the TERRE Center, which combines knowledge, technology and sustainability, means investing in the future of our industry and our community," says Michael Plourde, Director of Technical Services and Planning at Domtar.
The donation, made alongside Boréal, reaffirms Domtar's deep roots in the region and its support for high-impact community projects. It also champions the company's 2030 sustainability strategy objective of reaching $20 million in community investments over five years.
The TERRE Center: A Model for the Future
The TERRE Center (Renewable Energy Technology and Energy Efficiency) will serve as a model of environmentally responsible construction. It's being built according to strict environmental standards and will be certified as an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient facility.
The Center will house a state-of-the-art research laboratory equipped with advanced renewable energy technologies. Solar panels, a geothermal system, heat pumps and wind and hydro devices will be installed along with 20 offices to support research activities.
Through the use of wood products and Domtar's community investments, the TERRE Center shows how innovation, sustainability and local commitment can be combined to shape a transformative project for the whole region.
Wood: A Sustainable Material at the Heart of the Project
The choice of materials supplied by Domtar aligns with the responsible construction vision of the TERRE Center. The increased use of sustainably sourced wood in the design of the complex takes advantage of the environmental and economic benefits of this local, renewable resource.
- Carbon sequestration: Wood is one of the few materials capable of storing carbon throughout the building's lifespan. It is estimated that one cubic meter of wood sequesters about one ton of CO₂ --the equivalent of taking 511 cars off the road for a year. *
- Lower carbon profile: Compared with traditional materials, wood has a significantly smaller carbon footprint. Producing wood emits 72 percent less carbon than steel and 66 percent less than cement. **
- Efficiency and speed of construction: Thanks to prefabrication and modularity, wood construction systems greatly reduce timeframes, waste, noise and required labor.
- Comfort and energy performance: Wood's natural insulating properties enhance occupant comfort and reduce energy loss caused by thermal bridging.
- An ally against climate change: Using wood in building construction, a sector that generates massive greenhouse gas emissions, is a solution supported by extensive research. In Québec, wood is harvested sustainably from responsibly managed forests, making it a responsible choice for building the future.
- Regional economic benefits: The wood provided for the project comes from Québec's forests and is processed locally. The wood products industry is a source of economic vitality for the entire province.
The TERRE Center project is led by Cégep de Jonquière with the support of many public and private partners. Construction officially began in April 2025 in the presence of several political leaders and financial partners, including Sylvain Gaudreault, Director General of the Cégep; Minister Andrée Laforest; Mayor Julie Dufour; and Yannick Gagnon, Member of the National Assembly for Jonquière. The project is scheduled to continue until Fall 2026.
*, ** Source: www.FPAC.ca (Solutions to Canadas Housing Crisis are Found in the Forest)
