TRU Forest Based Industries Project Examples

Plant Feasibility & Investment Strategy

Newsprint Pulp & Paper Mill

TRU carried out a marketing and competition assessment aimed at determining the feasibility of building, and wholly owning, a US$250 million newsprint mill. This was a detailed examination of the global markets and competition for newsprint including basic cost competitiveness.

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Abaca Pulp Mill Feasibility

Ecuador Resource Development and Pulp Mill

TRU conducted an international assessment of the abaca pulp market to determine the feasibility of manufacture in Ecuador. Abaca pulp is uncommon and is used in the manufacture of specialty non-woven products such as special masks and filters. This assignment involved very difficult intelligence gathering from the Far East, Europe and North America for both abaca fiber and abaca pulp. Attendant technical and economic studies were also undertaken.

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Fine Writing and Printing Paper Industry Rationalization:

ndustry and Government Initiative

TRU evaluated the strategic competitive position of the Canadian Fine Paper industry, on behalf of the Federal Government who were working with industry in an attempt to rationalize the fine paper industry. Examined markets, costs and company positioning in North America, and ranked the players based on competitive criteria.

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New Product Development and Market Study:

Coated Paper and Coating Industry

TRU assessed detailed cost competitiveness of a new application for a photo-thermic paper coatings. Calculated the detailed cost for manufacturing the new coated paper versus conventional printing and writing papers. Examined the relative importance of the cost structure for commercialization of new photo-chromatic and thermal printing method. Reviewed market potential and barriers to product launch for the new product.

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World Wide Marketing:

Forest Resource Development

TRU conducted an international business assessment on the feasibility of producing and marketing a variety of wood/paper products - logs, lumber, veneer, plywood, pulp, paper - based on the Chiloe Island forest. Customers and trade factors were interviewed globally. Forchil undertook one of Chile's largest forest developments. TRU negotiated distribution in the USA for the client.

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Technology Forecasting & Econometric Modeling

Green versus Conventional Energy

TRU, for Rougier et Fils, Europe's largest board producer, conducted a major assessment of the potential to manufacture various board products in North America. This in-depth analysis involved marketing research, forecasting, competitor analysis and techno-economic review. Rougier was advised to enter the waferboard market.

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Products Investment Ranking:

Building Boards

TRU conducted a market study in a United States regional market to assess the acceptability of a new insulation product to be sold to contractors and homeowners. Surveyed contractors and retailers. Made solid conclusions and provided client with product launch strategy.

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Amazonian hardwood pulp, paper & wood products projects:

INDUPERU, Peru Feasibility Study - Domestic + International

TRU undertook two simultaneous assignments assessing all business aspects of developing the forest resource at Pucalpa and Iquitos. Detailed international and national surveys of the markets for pulp, paper and wood products were evaluated from a marketing, financial and technical viewpoint. Acceptability of unknown hardwood species was a key factor. Study included looking at transportation issues related to Amazon River navigation through Manaus, Brazil.

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Waferboard Acceptability in Europe:

Barriers to EC Market Penetration

TRU investigated and assessed the idea of manufacturing waferboard in Quebec based on exporting the total output of the mill to Europe. Conducted extensive marketing research in Europe to assess customer acceptability and competition form other boards.

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Investor Due Diligence:

Novel Gasifier Design for Wood Chips

TRU assesses the technology and techno-economics of a new design for a wood chips biomass gasifier. The market potential for the design was assessed as well as competitive technologies. TRU advised our client on the viability of the business and the risks associated with the proposed investment.

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New Product Launch in the United States

Retrofit Insulation Product

TRU conducted a market study in a United States regional market to assess the acceptability of a new insulation product to be sold to contractors and homeowners. Surveyed contractors and retailers. Made solid conclusions and provided client with product launch strategy.

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Related Products:

Competing and Similar

TRU has undertaken projects in competing and like products to those that are forest based. These include bathware, insulation, solar panels, energy in buildings, charcoal, cellulose, windows and plastic bags.