Enerkem has launched the first full-scale municipal waste-to-biofuels and chemicals facility in Canada.

Enerkem president and CEO Vincent Chornet said that the facility uses garbage instead of fossil sources for the production of chemicals and liquid transportation fuels.

Chornet said, “We are proud of the inauguration of our first full-scale biorefinery facility as it is the culmination of more than 10 years of disciplined efforts to scale up our technology from pilot and demonstration, to commercial scale.

“The completion of this game-changing facility is by far one of the most significant developments the waste and biorefinery sectors have seen yet.”

Located in Edmonton, Alberta and operated by Enerkem Alberta Biofuels, the facility is one of the world’s first commercial facilities to be built for the production of renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels.

More than 600 direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction of the facility for the modular manufacturing of the facility’s systems and their on-site assembly.

Mayor Don Iveson said, “This type of leading edge innovation demands a team approach and we’re proud of our partnership with Enerkem and Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions.”

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister and Government House Leader for the Government of Alberta Robin Campbell said that the innovative facility will offer clear environmental benefits as it converts waste into value-added products.

The start-up of the biorefinery follows a rigorous commissioning plan which is nearing completion. Biomethanol production will begin progressively during the start-up. A module converting the biomethanol into advanced ethanol will be added by the end of 2015.