Glass Recycling Plant Invests Millions, Eyes Expansion

Trois-Rivières firm upgrades facility, aiming for new markets and greener practices

A significant investment is underway at a glass recycling plant in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, signaling a push towards innovation and sustainability in the industry. The company seeks to reduce energy consumption while tapping into new markets.

Facility Upgrades and Expansion

**SDF Abrasive** is investing almost $8.4 million, part of which funded a specialized dome nearly two years ago. The Trois-Rivières company is implementing an automated optical sorting system to improve glass separation by color and remove contaminants. Plans include adding a rail line for material transport.

These upgrades will allow the company to redirect glass to markets like bottling and mineral wool production. According to the EPA, glass makes up about 4.1% of municipal solid waste, with only around 25% being recycled (EPA).

Energy Efficiency and Innovation

The company president, **Serge Bellemare**, emphasized the energy savings from color-sorted glass, stating it reduces energy use by 30% to 35% for the glassmaking industry. He added, “The main advantage of sending the glass sorting by color for the overhaul is the reduction in energy use of around 30 % to 35 %, which is major and much appreciated by the glassmaker industry.”

**Bellemare** stated, “For us, it is important to innovate if we want to perpetuate the company. You have to plan tomorrow tomorrow, if you want to have continuity.”

Government Support and Vision

The Minister of Labor, **Jean Boulet**, along with the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, **Christine Fréchette**, toured the facility. **Boulet** noted the company’s forward-thinking approach and contribution to decarbonization.

**Fréchette** also visited companies in the Bécancour industrial and port park and met with researchers from the Valley of the Energy Transition (VTÉ). She observed a shared vision where “Shawinigan will be the research center, Trois-Rivières that of marketing and Bécancour that of industrialization.”

Future Announcements and Energy Transition

**Minister Fréchette** hinted at upcoming announcements, stating, “We continue to analyze projects. There are others waiting for a GO before proceeding. We will have announcements to make in the coming months.”

“It is one of the innovation areas that will pull us forward, because the energy transition is a fundamental element. Admittedly, there has been a slowdown, but it is a slowdown in growth and growth continues to be there.”

—Christine Lochette, Minister

Despite some setbacks in the battery sector, **Christine Fréchette** remains confident in the energy transition. She mentioned projects like graphite, Ultium cam, and Nano One, emphasizing the importance of repatriating technologies developed in Quebec.

“Nano One is a technology that had been developed in Quebec and was recovered by China. There, we want to bring it back to Quebec. It is a technology that has been developed with us that we want to repatriate to have an alternative to China.”

—Christine Fréchette, Minister

**Fréchette** believes the companies establishing themselves in Bécancour will significantly impact the economy, creating jobs and filling orders for SMEs.