Ontario’s wealth of raw materials presents an opportunity to continuously develop the use of bio-based materials within the construction industry. Despite an abundance of forests, mineral deposits and crop cultivation across the province, the potential for locally produced products is largely untapped. While we currently rely on sourcing these products elsewhere, utilizing the resources present in Ontario could reduce the embodied carbon footprint while additionally stimulating the economy. The potential for local manufacturing of construction materials is significant, yet the challenge remaining is in the scarcity of regional manufacturers that are leveraging these available resources.
Ontario's Forestry
Ontario is home to a diverse landscape with several forest regions; The Hudson Bay Lowlands, The Boreal Forest, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, Deciduous Forest. These regions provide Ontario with its timber wealth.
In Ontario, manufacturers specialize in producing wood materials for construction. Located in both Northern and Southern Ontario they typically focus on a range of products that can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Some of these products include engineered wood, dimensional lumber, and prefabricated wood components.
