The contract announced for $1.1 million expands on the original project announced by PyroGenesis whereby the Company was contracted to engineer and fabricate a thermal swing adsorption system for the dehydration of pure oxygen produced from electrolyzers at the VCR plant PyroGenesis’ contract with Varennes Carbon Recycling plant increases manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions has signed a $1.1 million second contract with the Varennes Carbon Recycling plant a large biofuel production project currently under construction in Varennes the overall project contracts with Pyro Green-Gas increase in total to $3.6 million the Company will provide additional engineering technology services and equipment related to a nitrogen loop system whereby nitrogen would be fed into the system to regenerate the system this would target the necessary requirement and quality of the eventual product gas “As I stated back in June 2024 upon the awarding of the original contract we were looking forward to potentially increasing our role as the project evolves This $1.1 million follow-up contract is testament to our efforts to provide high quality engineering and technology that makes customers in some of the world’s most impactful projects take notice,” noted P “Our technologies such as thermal swing adsorption and pressure swing adsorption that capture and recover CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions during biofuel production are key to expanding the energy grid while reducing hazardous emissions The VCR project has a stated goal of cutting more than 170,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and 4.25 million tonnes over the project’s 25-year lifespan.1 This is equivalent to permanently removing 50,000 passenger vehicles off the road.” The $1 billion VCR project is being led by a consortium of major corporate partners and has the financial backing of the Quebec and Canadian governments This consortium is constructing a biorefinery with a reported capacity to convert up to 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste and residual biomass material into 125 million liters of commonly used chemicals and value-added biofuels Canadian Manufacturing is the top source for daily industry-focused news across Canada We cover the world of manufacturing across all its sectors (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY) manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which are geared to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and address environmental pollutants has signed a $1.1 million second contract with the Varennes Carbon Recycling (“VCR”) plant and fabricate a thermal swing adsorption (“TSA”) system for the dehydration of pure oxygen produced from electrolyzers at the VCR plant whereby nitrogen would be fed into the system to regenerate the system this would target the necessary requirement and quality of the eventual product gas This consortium is constructing Canada’s largest biorefinery with a capacity to convert up to 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste and residual biomass material into 125 million liters of commonly used chemicals and value-added biofuels The plant will be powered by clean electricity and will leverage renewable green hydrogen and oxygen produced onsite by one of the world’s largest electrolyzers.2 Thermal swing adsorption and gas separation systems are part of the Company’s Energy Transition & Emissions Reduction tier and fuel switching utilizing the Company’s electric-powered plasma torches helps heavy industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use and expertise in the area of biogas upgrading Pyro Green-Gas designs and builds: (i) gas upgrading systems to convert biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG); (ii) pyrolysis-gas purification; (iii) biogas & landfill-gas flares and thermal oxidizers; and (iv) purification of coke-oven gas (COG) (a by-product in the primary steel industry arising from the conversion of coal into coke) into high purity hydrogen which is in high demand across the industry Pyro Green-Gas is also known for its line of landfill gas flares which reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY) Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans” “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements Forward-looking statements are not historical facts nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s current beliefs estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include the risk factors identified under “Risk Factors” in PyroGenesis’ latest annual information form and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities all of which are available under PyroGenesis’ profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis such risk factors should be considered carefully There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this release PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable securities laws its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release Solar power is an increasingly popular form of renewable energy technology for a number of reasons At the top of many lists is the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions It’s no wonder photovoltaic (PV) solar technology is quickly gaining ground in Canada as new products enter the market and ever-larger systems are being built But how well will these new systems complement the energy grid What are the special requirements for our northern climate Natural Resources Canada added a new state-of-the-art large-scale solar simulator to CanmetENERGY’s PV testing facility in Varennes researchers across the country can directly assess how the specifications provided by solar panel manufacturers compare with actual performance under controlled laboratory conditions “New standards for measuring PV performance are being defined as new technologies emerge,” says Christopher Baldus-Jeursen a research officer at CanmetENERGY in Varennes A large solar panel is evaluated prior to testing The Varennes lab has been measuring PV module performance since 1993 But for CanmetENERGY researchers and engineers the new simulator provides the wide range of capabilities they need to continue assessing the long-term performance of PV systems under the special conditions of our Canadian climate Understanding how these products perform in a controlled environment is essential for meeting national and international standards This performance information also helps developers as they design their systems Solar simulators can be divided into two categories depending on their illuminated area: a tabletop device illuminates an individual cell a few centimetres in size whereas a much larger module-scale system illuminates an entire PV panel Module-scale solar simulators are a regular feature of industrial production lines in Quebec and Ontario but few are available to the PV research community in Canada The new Varennes solar simulator addresses this need by allowing researchers to flash test commercial PV panels with areas up to three square metres See the solar simulator in action in this video : Sun in a box, a state-of-the-art solar simulator “The solar simulator has a thermostatic chamber that can control a module’s temperature in a very precise way and a long-duration flash that makes it possible to measure high-end modules,” explains Christopher The solar panel is placed inside a dark chamber where it is exposed to the simulator’s flash of light with a spectrum close to that of the sun current and voltage — are then measured over a few milliseconds and the data are then sent to a computer for analysis by specialized software The simulator can also determine a panel’s performance under different temperatures and illumination intensities Light intensity can be reduced to simulate low conditions and the temperature can be adjusted to between 10°C and 75°C “The solar simulator is indispensable for measuring the performance of modules at the beginning and end of a panel system’s life,” says Alexandre Côté “This allows us to determine the degradation rate of the performance parameters and to compare various systems in different Canadian climates.” The solar simulator allows Christopher and Alexandre to test new industrial technologies and high-efficiency solar panels It also lets them provide measurement services to universities and companies the team may help a university determine the performance of a PV module prototype it has developed or assist an industrial start-up company in validating its claims for a new technology The new simulator also enables the team to help establish new measurement standards for solar panels and evaluate the most recent best practices and applicable industry standards These and other aspects of Christopher and Alexandre’s work at CanmetENERGY in Varennes make a real practical difference to the lives of Canadians “I chose to work in the renewable energy field because it reflects the intersection of my interest in engineering science and environmental issues particularly global warming,” says Christopher “I like being able to contribute to the growing field of photovoltaics and the transition to a low-carbon society.” Solar photovoltaic energy NRCan’s CanmetENERGY PV testing facility in Varennes Sun in a box, a state-of-the-art solar simulator This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) announced that it had concluded the financing for a biorefinery and Canada’s largest electrolyzer known as the Varennes Carbon Recycling facility This is CIB’s first project from its low-carbon fuels carbon capture utilization storage and hydrogen initiative the CIB will provide a loan of $277 million to a joint-venture partnership between Shell Proman and the Government of Quebec that will enable construction of Canada's largest biorefinery based on a technology platform developed by Enerkem The $1.2 billion facility will include an electrolyzer which will supply clean hydrogen and oxygen to convert more than 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste and residual biomass into biofuels with a capacity of up to 130 million litres annually The project is expected to create more than 500 jobs at the peak of construction and about 100 permanent jobs once operational CIB funding supports Quebec's leadership in renewable energy and innovation and Canada's aim to be net zero by 2050 The CIB loan aims to provide financing to a relatively emerging industry with upside The project will be using Enerkem's proprietary thermochemical process The carbon recycling facility is expected to cut more than 170,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and 4.25 million tonnes over the project's 25-year lifespan The annual reduction is equivalent to taking 50,000 passenger vehicles off the road The CIB was represented in-house by Wayne Burrows co-led by Elizabeth Burton and Myron Dzulynsky and that included Braden Sheps (lending and project coordination) Adriana da Silva Bellini (due diligence lead Matthew Sherrard (Indigenous - duty to consult) Angéline Therrien-Lapointe (Indigenous - duty to consult) Kathryn Chadwick (Indigenous - duty to consult) Jessica George (corporate) and Sean Whiting (corporate) Stikeman Elliott LLP advised the borrower Varennes Cellulosic Ethanol LP and related parties with a team that included Vanessa Coiteux Alina Smirnova (Real Estate) and Jonathan Auerbach (IP) advised Investissement Québec and its subsidiary 9429-8130 Québec Inc May 8, 2024 – Hitachi Energy announced it will upgrade and modernize its power transformer factory in Varennes “to address fast-growing customer demand for sustainable energy in North America” Worth about $140 million, the projects around Montreal will involve funding from the Government of Quebec through Investissement Québec the support of the Quebec Government will help to address North America’s rising demand for transformers to support fast-growing sectors like renewable energy and industrial electrification […]” said Bruno Melles The Varennes facility is Hitachi Energy’s premier manufacturing location in North America for large power transformers supporting national and regional power grids and serving utility-scale renewable energy projects The establishment of a new onsite transformer testing and certification facility is “a critical element” of the company’s efforts to meet growing demand in the province for sustainable energy solutions The additional 130,000 square feet are expected to be completed before the end of 2027 The manufacturing facility in Varennes has been in operation since 1971; it covers 300,000 square feet and employs around 330 people Aerial view of Hitachi Energy transformer factory in Varennes Our promise towards a carbon-neutral future EconiQ Consulting supports customers addressing their unique environmental performance needs Meet IdentiQ™ digital twin for sustainable Service is our commitment to the world’s largest existing installed base and the future of the energy system Accelerating a clean energy transition with a range of solutions for solar Discover the people and technologies behind the multiple pathways towards a carbon-neutral future Advancing a sustainable energy future for all we are co-creating global and local solutions to benefit society Get in-depth insights on topics and trends in the energy sector from industry thought leaders in this animation series about the world of electricity and sustainable energy Diversity and inclusion are the core of our success 2021 is a special year for the Hitachi Energy large power transformer plant located in Varennes (Quebec) as we celebrate 50 years of serving the industry The Varennes plant has grown from about 100 people in 1971 to 300 amazing employees today.  Covering an area of almost 30,000 square meters (over 300,000 square feet) and manufactures some of the world’s most reliable power transformers for North America and other parts of the world The transformer’s power capacity ranges from 25 to 1200 MVA and their operating voltage reaches as high as 800 kV the factory has produced more than 2,250 power transformers and nearly 400 shunt reactors helping to provide and regulate electricity flowing from one city to another These transformers transmit power from generating stations to thousands of homes and businesses that depend on the supply of reliable electricity Today and in years to come, the Varennes plant delivers on Hitachi Energy’s purpose of ‘Advancing a sustainable energy future for all’. Including providing our customers in Canada and North America with rupture resistant TXpand™ transformers as well as low noise and low loss designs; protecting both people and the environment To celebrate this milestone and our company’s dedication to Sustainability, the Varennes team announced the planting of 50 trees on our factory grounds as legacy for future generations. The first tree was planted to recognize retired employee Danielle Beauregard, who had more than 40 years of service and greatly contributed to Varennes’ involvement in the local community.  In the presence of Varennes’ Mayor and facility team, Danielle had the honor of throwing the first shovel of dirt and unwrapping the commemorative plaque. Recognizing the importance of our employees, 49 other Varennes team members, like Danielle, will be recognized during the year with a planting of a tree in their name. Superior quality built on decades of experience and innovation The Varennes factory takes pride in designing and engineering of a vast range of superior-quality transformers, including large power step-up transformers for power plants, auto-transformers with very high voltage, shunt reactors, transformers for static compensators and transformers for high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. “It’s through solid processes and the intense passion for serving our customers that has allowed us to be a leader over the last 50 years.” said Steve McKinney, Senior VP and Head of the Transformer Business in North America for Hitachi Energy. “The team has accumulated decades of experience, setting the standards of excellence in North America and throughout the world.” Varennes produces some of the largest transformers in the world Valuable research and development (R&D) efforts have been achieved over the plant’s history. Ongoing collaboration between the engineers in Varennes and engineers employed by the various Hitachi Energy facilities throughout the world ensures that our customers remain on the cutting edge of technology. Together, with customers and partners, we are excited to be accelerating the transition towards a carbon-neutral energy future. ©Hitachi Energy Ltd 2025. All rights reserved Energy TransitionHitachi Energy wins Canadian funding to boost HVDCGovernment to provide $22m for manufacturing and test facilities' expansion CIB investments are powering neighbourhoods connecting communities and putting Canadians to work – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has concluded the financing on its first project from its low-carbon fuels carbon capture utilization storage and hydrogen initiative with support for a biorefinery and the country’s largest electrolyzer the CIB will provide a loan of $277 million to a joint-venture partnership between Shell Proman and the government of Québec that will enable construction of Canada’s largest biorefinery The $1.2 billion facility – known as Varennes Carbon Recycling – will include an electrolyzer which will supply clean hydrogen and oxygen to convert more than 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste and residual biomass into biofuels with a capacity of up to 130 million litres annually CIB funding supports Quebec’s leadership in renewable energy and innovation and Canada’s aim to be net zero by 2050 The project will be using Enerkem’s proprietary thermochemical process The carbon recycling facility is expected to cut more than 170,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and 4.25 million tonnes over the project’s 25-year lifespan The Canada Infrastructure Bank is pleased to have acted quickly on its expanded role to support transformational efforts to accelerate Canadas transition to a low-carbon economy Converting waste and residual biomass into clean hydrogen is the CIBs latest effort helping the country reach net zero by 2050 and represents its first investment in low-carbon fuels The largest biorefinery in Canada will open its doors in Varennes with the help of a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank the Canada Infrastructure Bank is giving Canada more tools to continue the fight against climate change Clean fuels are an essential part of the clean technology mix in a net-zero world While electrification will be a chosen route in some sectors clean fuels will also play a very significant role going forward Projects like this will accelerate important work to help Canada achieve its ambitious environmental and economic objectives I look forward to continuing to work with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and private sector partners to produce the clean hydrogen the world needs We are pleased the Canada Infrastructure Bank has agreed to support Varennes Carbon Recycling and charted a path forward for this important project The transition to a lower carbon energy system requires collaboration that brings technology expertise and governments together with industry for society to achieve its climate ambitions Suncor is proud to be a partner in Varennes Carbon Recycling a project that will divert non-recyclable waste from landfills and turn it into renewable methanol for use in marine transportation and the production of circular plastics We sincerely appreciate the financial support provided by the Canadian and Quebec governments which will enable this project to become one of the largest producers of renewable methanol in the world Proman is excited to contribute our marketing and operational experience to Varennes Carbon Recycling and we look forward to working with all the project partners to make this innovative waste-to-low carbon fuels plant a great success and contribute towards meeting global sustainability targets We are pleased with the support of the CIB to Varennes Carbon Recycling that now combines the electrolyzer with the biorefinery into one single project CIBs participation enables this first-of-a-kind based on Enerkems waste to methanol technology platform This sends a powerful signal to investors and the biofuels and circular chemicals sectors Varennes Carbon Recycling Subscribe now for the latest in infrastructure You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Hitachi Energy Canada has received CAN$30 million in funding from the Government of Canada to support the establishment of a new high-voltage direct current (HVDC) simulation centre in Montreal and to upgrade and modernise its power transformer factory in Varennes These projects will help address the fast-growing customer demand for sustainable energy throughout North America This additional funding from Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund is part of an overall CAN$140 million investment announced in April including funding from Investissement Quebec This investment is in line with Hitachi Energy’s recent announcements to invest an additional CAN$4.5 billion by 2027 to accelerate the clean energy transition and support the long-term plans and electrification efforts as well as the company’s CAN$1.5 billion investments to ramp up global transformer production in the same timeframe HVDC technology is the key enabler for integrating large scale renewable electricity into power grids The new simulation centre in Montreal will help shorten the time to market for large transmission projects by employing virtual testing of HVDC systems before installation The new simulation centre is expected to be completed before the end of 2027 it will provide a digital representation of its HVDC control and protection system including real-time transmission network simulation it will enable collaboration with local and international customers to design improving the deployment time for large and complex projects This initiative aligns with Canada’s goal to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 Canadian electricity generation capacity will need to be two to three times greater than today Hitachi Energy’s transformers and HVDC technology will play a key role in expanding Canadian and North American electricity capacity,” said François-Philippe Champagne “Today’s investment supports the key technologies that will enable a stronger “We are thrilled to have received this funding from the Canadian Government to help support the further expansion of our facilities and associated job creation,” added Carla Vicente Country Managing Director at Hitachi Energy in Canada “Quebec is an important hub for the clean energy transition in North America and the new HVDC simulation centre will provide us with critical capabilities to support the urgent need for additional transmission capacity both in Canada and throughout North America.” The Varennes facility is Hitachi Energy’s premier manufacturing location for large power transformers in North America and serving unique HVDC transmission projects like Champlain Hudson Power Express and the modernisation of the Châteauguay HVDC system raising the power conversion capacity of this link between Quebec and New York State by 50% while increasing its efficiency and controllability Establishing a new onsite transformer testing facility in Varennes is a critical element of the company’s efforts to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in the province The Varennes factory designs and engineers a vast range of superior-quality transformers including large power step-up transformers and transformers for static compensators and HVDC transmission systems The location’s manufacturing capacity ranges from 100 – 1200 MVA and its operating voltage is as high as 800 kV The Summer 2024 issue of Energy Global starts with a guest comment from Terrawatt on the streamlining of the permitting process in Italy before moving on to a regional report from Frost & Sullivan on the energy landscape in Asia Pacific This issue looks at key topics such as wind installation vessels Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/other-renewables/16072024/government-of-canada-invests-can30-million-in-hitachi-energy-hvdc-simulation-centre/ Lantana Capital Ltd has been appointed as the mandated sell-side advisor for the public auction of Heliosphera SA's bankrupt solar panel factory in Tripoli Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below): Already a member? Sign in here WinnipegNewsNew school planned to replace one of the oldest in Louis Riel School DivisionBy Charles LefebvrePublished: February 02, 2023 at 5:13PM EST Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved and with the support of the Québec and Canadian governments is proud to announce the proposed construction of a biofuel plant in Varennes Varennes Carbon Recycling (VCR) will produce biofuels and renewable chemicals made from non-recyclable residual materials as well as wood waste The plant will leverage green hydrogen and oxygen produced through electrolysis transforming Quebec's excess hydroelectricity capacity into value-added biofuels and renewable chemicals VCR will be a major creator of quality local direct and indirect jobs during its construction and operation An exceptional showcase to display Québec's expertise in innovative green technologyThe plant will be an example of Québec and Canadian know-how and leadership in the development and deployment of innovative clean technologies Enerkem was able to bring together world-class global strategic partners who intend to take a leading investment role in this flagship facility of the green economy This plant will produce one of the lowest carbon-intensive fuels by diverting non-recyclable waste as well as wood waste materials from landfills and through access to green electricity and green hydrogen and oxygen A unique and clean disruptive technology developed by EnerkemEnerkem's technology enables the recycling of the carbon and hydrogen contained in non-recyclable waste and wood waste currently landfilled and burned. Enerkem's proprietary thermochemical process enables the conversion of this carbon into biofuels and renewable chemicals which is the project's intermediary product. These products enable society to reduce consumption of traditional hydrocarbons used for transportation and in everyday products (paint Tangible support for the circular economyThe proposed Varennes plant will support Québec's Plan pour une économie verte 2030 (PEV 2030) and is in line with the government's desire to pursue the development of a circular economy less dependent on fossil fuel products (40% reduction by 2030) In addition to providing a second life to waste material it will expand the overall supply of alternative fuels and increase biofuel production in Québec increasing its leadership in renewable energy and innovation QUOTES"We are proud to partner with leading international energy and chemical industry players and to benefit from the support of our federal and provincial governments and the City of Varennes.  This strong support validates the uniqueness of our gasification technology to enable the production of circular synthesis gas.  It is a major achievement for Enerkem to have its second full-scale commercial plant become a reality showcasing our unique clean disruptive technology that transforms waste to biofuels and renewable chemicals We have learned a great deal from our initial pilot project in Westbury Québec and our first commercial demonstration plant in Edmonton "Shell Canada is delighted with the proposed partnership with Enerkem and we see this as a step forward towards a net-zero emissions future. By converting non-recyclable waste and wood waste to low-carbon fuels we can reduce the carbon footprint of energy used by Canadians every day.  We are grateful for the collaboration with the Government of Québec the Government of Canada and our prospective partners and hope to develop other projects with Enerkem in the future."Michael Crothers "We're excited to continue our journey with Enerkem another example of our ongoing commitment to sustainability Over the last few years we've worked together to help ramp up the Enerkem Alberta Biofuels plant and now looking to Varennes we're excited to progress the production of biofuels domestically and internationally Suncor has a long history in the Montréal area dating back to 1919 and this kind of innovative technology will help us play a role in the future low-carbon economy for many more years to come."Martha Hall Findlay "As the world's second largest methanol producer Proman is excited at the prospect to team up with such distinguished partners on this proposed waste-to-methanol and biofuels project The further implementation of Enerkem's unique waste gasification technology will be a significant step towards enabling the wider availability of highly sustainable bio-methanol as part of the global low-carbon energy transition. We are thankful to Enerkem and the other potential partners for giving us the opportunity to bring Proman's extensive industry experience and marketing expertise in support of this flagship circular economy project and especially want to thank the Québec and Canadian governments for their commitment to this innovative project."David Cassidy To access visual material including photos, renderings, drone views and a fact sheet on VCR, please click here About SuncorSuncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company Suncor's operations include oil sands development and upgrading and product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand A member of Dow Jones Sustainability indexes Suncor is working to responsibly develop petroleum resources while also growing a renewable energy portfolio Suncor is listed on the UN Global Compact 100 stock index Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges visit our website at suncor.com and follow us on Twitter @Suncor www.enerkem.com About Varennes Carbon Recycling (VCR) Varennes Carbon Recycling will produce biofuels and circular chemicals made from non-recyclable waste and residual biomass based on Enerkem’s exclusive technology Do not sell or share my personal information: Less than three years after opening a subsidiary in Varennes Doka is expanding its facilities to better serve the regional construction industry The local yard will reach 11 500 m2 to house a newly built maintenance facility equipped with a new wash box jib cranes and workstations for the proper reconditioning and cleaning of material an Austria-based leader in providing innovative formwork solutions and services for various construction sites opened its regional office in 2018 with a team of four people the Varennes installations will employ at least 25 people The local subsidiary is involved with some 30 projects per year including major construction sites in Greater Montréal and across the region Doka’s management team sees Québec as a strategic market which led the company to proceed with the construction of a bigger facility to anchor itself in the region “Doka Canada is expanding in Varennes to create a large and modern Doka will hereby create additional jobs in the region and opportunities for employees to develop and grow in their professional career This investment will build a strong foundation to support our local customers the local construction industry and Quebec’s economy,” says Markus Mitterlehner Doka is a world-leading provider of innovative formwork employed on various construction sites as moulds that hold the poured concrete in shape until it hardens and achieves enough strength to support itself The demand for formwork systems is growing in Québec as local contractors seek innovative methods to speed up the construction process while assuring the highest level of safety to their workers Doka’s systems also contribute to address the labour workforce shortage in the industry with an automated process The Doka solutions offer a vast range of digital services and specialized software to improve the planning management and performance of formwork on various construction sites from bridges and tunnels to high-rise towers These improvements include durability as Doka’s products can be reused for up to 10 years decreasing the user’s exposure to the volatility of the cost of materials the technology used to engineer the structures are easy to interconnect with a device such as a smartphone making them more user-friendly than regular moulds Doka’s certified equipment includes guard rails and protection that meet high standards of safety requirement at every project phase “As Greater Montréal’s economy is in full recovery and demand for construction and infrastructure services is strong Doka’s innovative know-how is a strategic added value to our local ecosystem,” said Stéphane Paquet President and CEO of Montréal International “We have been working with Doka for nearly three years and are keen to assist any such companies that support local projects and economic development in the region.” “Our team is pleased to support Doka’s expansion in Québec,” says Hubert Bolduc President of Investissement Québec International “This new investment by the Austrian company will help modernize the construction industry here and abroad We will continue to promote the advantages of long-term investment in Québec while supporting subsidiaries of foreign companies so that they can contribute to the development and growth of our strategic economic sectors.” “Varennes enthusiastically welcomes Doka’s expansion project in the city This is a major investment that once again contributes to Varennes’s strong economic growth  City council thanks the public and private sector partners involved in this project and congratulates the managers and employees of Doka,” said Martin Damphousse Doka is a world leader in providing innovative formwork solutions and services in all areas of construction The company is also a global supplier of well-thought-out scaffolding solutions for a varied spectrum of applications With more than 160 sales and logistics facilities in over 70 countries Doka has a high-performing distribution network for advice customer service and technical support on the spot and ensures that equipment is provided swiftly – no matter how big and complex the project Doka employs 7 400 people worldwide and is a company of the Umdasch Group experience and trustworthiness for more than 150 years Avitia improves access to its cancer testing through its AI-platform Tangible benefits for cutting-edge industries in Greater Montréal A new era of AI geared towards commercialization is emerging in Montréal Montréal International (MI)’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome four new.. Contact us This investment is in line with Hitachi Energy’s recent announcement to ramp up its global transformer manufacturing capacity to support the long-term plans and electrification efforts The Varennes facility is Hitachi Energy’s premier manufacturing location for large power transformers in North America The establishment of a new on-site transformer testing facility in Varennes is a critical element of the company’s efforts to meet growing demand in the province for sustainable energy solutions The additional 130,000 square foot (approx 12,000 square meter) facility will support the certification of power transformers manufactured in Varennes serving as an essential part of the final acceptance process for customers The testing facility is expected to be completed before the end of 2027 This initiative aligns with Quebec's broader strategy to meet its ambitious energy goals including the need for more than 150 terawatt-hours (TWh) of additional energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 - around twice what Quebec consumes today demand for transformers and electrical equipment continues to grow at an unprecedented scale At Hitachi Energy we are continuously developing our global footprint and capacity to address our customers’ mid- and long-term needs as Quebec strengthens its role as a key player in the energy transition,” said Bruno Melles Managing Director at Hitachi Energy.  and transformers for static compensators and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems The location’s manufacturing capacity ranges from 100 to 1,200 megavolt-ampere (MVA) and their operating voltage reaches as high as 800-kilovolt (kV) Transformers play a key role across the power value chain enabling efficient transmission and distribution of electricity They are a key component for applications such as integrating renewables powering data centers and electrifying transportation facilitating the decarbonization of energy systems The company’s manufacturing facility in Varennes has been in operation since 1971 and is one of the leading manufacturing locations of power grid equipment in the greater Montreal area The facility covers over 300,000 square feet (almost 30,000 square meters) and employs around 330 people Hitachi Energy Canada employs more than 550 engineers and highly skilled manufacturing employees at its three facilities located in Varennes and has more than 1,000 employees across Canada Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future We are advancing the world's energy system to become more sustainable flexible and secure whilst balancing social Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries We integrate more than 150 GW of HVDC links into the power system helping our customers enable more wind and solar we employ more than 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD Visualization of the Hitachi Energy Transformer Test Lab in Varennes Montréal: Hitachi Energy Canada has received $30 million (CAD) from the Government of Canada to support the establishment of a HVDC simulation center in Montréal and to upgrade and modernize its transformer factory in Varennes The projects will help address the customer demand for sustainable energy throughout North America The funding from Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund is part of a $140 million investment announced in April including funding from Investissement Québec The simulation center will help shorten the time to market for large transmission projects by virtually testing HVDC systems before installation It should be completed before the end of 2027 and will provide a digital representation of its HVDC control and protection system It will enable collaboration with local and international customers to design The Varennes factory is Hitachi Energy’s premier manufacturing location for large power transformers in NA and serving HVDC transmission projects like Champlain Hudson Power Express and the modernization of the Châteauguay HVDC system A new onsite testing facility is a critical element of the company’s efforts to meet the demand for sustainable energy solutions in Québec The facility designs and engineers a vast range of transformers The location’s manufacturing capacity ranges from 100 to 1200 MVA while its operating voltage reaches 800 kV New electricity deal and planned gas pipeline aim to ease Syria’s energy crisis with 400 kV line and 6 million m3 of gas daily from Turkey Christian Bruch visits Baghdad to formalise agreement aimed at potentially adding 14 GW to Iraq’s energy capacity through infrastructure upgrades Xcel Energy will build a 280-km transmission line linking clean energy from southwest Minnesota to over 1 million homes across the Upper Midwest © 2013-2025 | All Rights Reserved MERIT MEDIA INT This article was published more than 2 years ago Canada Infrastructure Bank is lending $277-million to developers of a Quebec biorefinery which is being built to convert non-recyclable waste and cast-off wood into low-carbon fuels CIB, a Crown corporation, said the financing will support construction of Varennes Carbon Recycling, a $1.2-billion joint venture of Shell PLC SHEL-N, Suncor Energy Inc. SU-T It is the first funding arrangement under a recently expanded mandate for CIB to include in its financing green technologies such as low-carbon fuels; carbon capture utilization and storage; and hydrogen production The project is already under construction in the off-island Montreal suburb of Varennes. It will employ waste-to-methanol technology developed by Enerkem, the Canadian cleantech company. It is designed to convert more than 200,000 tonnes of waste annually, including wood waste, into biofuels and commonly used chemicals The waste products are currently landfilled or burned The biorefinery will have a capacity of up to 130 million litres a year when it starts up in 2025 and the developers say it is expected to cut more than 170,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year which is 4.25 million tonnes over the project’s 25-year lifespan The facility will include one of the world’s largest plants for producing hydrogen using non-fossil-fuel sources: a 90-megawatt electrolyzer, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The developer said last week it had selected Indiana-based Accelera, a unit of Cummins Inc. CMI-N The CIB loan is on top of $390-million in funding for the project from the Quebec government and $450-million from the private sector There is also additional federal and provincial funding Ottawa founded CIB as a $35-billion corporation in 2017 to invest in large projects and encourage institutional investors such as pension funds and private asset managers to boost their investments in Canadian infrastructure it hired former Infrastructure Ontario head Ehren Cory as chief executive officer It has been criticized in the years since its inception. In May, the House of Commons transport committee issued a report that recommended the bank be abolished over concern among non-Liberal members related to its efficiency It noted several witnesses expressed concern during committee hearings about CIB that projects were not flowing as quickly as expected the bank’s role was expanded in the 2022 federal budget “to invest in private-sector-led infrastructure projects that will accelerate Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.” including $970-million for the country’s first small nuclear reactor in Ontario; $500-million to triple the number of electric-vehicle charging stations in Canada; and $800-million for a First Nations-owned hydro project in Yukon “The Canada Infrastructure Bank is pleased to have acted quickly on its expanded role to support transformational efforts to accelerate Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy,” Mr Cory said in a statement announcing the financing for the Varennes project “Converting waste and residual biomass into clean hydrogen is the CIB’s latest effort helping the country reach net zero by 2050 and represents its first investment in low-carbon fuels.” The developers said the project will employ 500 people during construction and 100 when it is operational Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Study and track financial data on any traded entity: click to open the full quote page Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Jeffrey is a veteran journalist who has reported on many topics from numerous locales over three decades and mergers and acquisitions as both a reporter and a columnist Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate If you do not see your comment posted immediately it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here We have closed comments on this story for legal reasons or for abuse. For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions Jury Comments: “Demonstrating “the small community that could .. “this municipal library is proof that net-zero buildings can be achieved at any scale while making no compromise in the design Visits to the library have doubled since it opened and it serves as a model and inspiration for the citizens and the engineering profession From the October-November 2016 print issue Canada’s largest ethanol producer and a world leader in high-purity specialty alcohols welcomed the government of Quebec’s pre-publication of draft regulations on the minimum volume of renewable fuel in gasoline and diesel fuel the government’s proposal would set blending thresholds of 10 per cent renewable fuel in gasoline and two per cent in diesel fuel by 2021 and increase the thresholds to 15 per cent in gasoline and four per cent in diesel fuel Greenfield’s EVP and managing director of renewable energy “Greenfield applauds the Quebec government for its ambitious targets and firm commitment to transition the province’s energy Biofuels are indeed a sector for the future The government is demonstrating true leadership on climate change and taking steps necessary to effectively and efficiently increase the use and production of renewable fuels Greenfield operates the first ethanol plant built in Quebec the Varennes biorefinery is a model for water and energy efficiency and produces the lowest carbon intensity ethanol in Canada as well as corn oil and distillers’ grain The announcement of the proposed renewable fuel regulations in Quebec comes at a time when Greenfield is considering the adaptation of emerging advanced biofuels technologies using non-traditional feedstocks and processes and renewable natural gas to further reduce the carbon intensity of its biofuels The first phase of Greenfield’s expansion study was completed in 2018 and the second phase will now commence with engineering such as Quebec’s proposed regulation are proven to make meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions It also helps to anchor investment in the region,” continued Roberge “Quebec’s announcement to increase renewable fuel blending requirements has resulted in the launch of Phase 2 of our feasibility study for production expansion at our Varennes biorefinery.” Phase 2 will include a thorough review of available feedstocks Greenfield remains focused on job creation and advancing research in developing the next generation of its biofuel production platform Let's overcome the climate crisis and create a promising future for all protect and restore nature so it can sustain all life Let’s reimagine communities to build resilience and increase well-being Give stocks or other publicly traded securities Help restore and protect nature for generations to come The futuristic library — which can autonomously manage its heating lighting and electricity systems — makes the small city of Varennes proud more than 150 people come to enjoy the library population 21,000 and 30 kilometres southeast of Montreal The library sits at the city’s centre — a shining beacon with a cathedral-style roof covered with 428 solar panels — and aligns directly with the sun’s path across the sky With a wide array of windows letting in natural light and a geothermal system in the basement it’s clear that energy efficiency and clean electricity is at the library’s heart Maybe in the future all buildings could be like this an air intake forces a current of fresh air to the basement where it gets warmed by the outgoing flow of stale air through a rotary heat exchanger This fresh air — warm during winter months and colder in summer — is silently dispersed into the library through an array of vents under the bookshelves The thick floor and the books themselves work as additional thermal insulation which helps minimize temperature fluctuations this building represents possibility and revolution: a big institutional building that is proudly net-zero energy She sees Varennes Public Library as a leader not only in the community “Maybe in the future all buildings could be like this,” she says Quebec can autonomously manage its heating Renewable energy is empowering communities across the country. Charged Up is the story of you — of all of us — on a mission for a cleaner Charge up Canada with renewable energy which operates one of Quebec’s largest trucking operations has announced plans to build a $150-million automated distribution center in Varennes The projects will be supported by $40 million from the Fonds de solidarite FTQ and a $15 million loan from the provincial government it will be 150 high and have enough room to store 60,000 pallets – evenly split by fresh and frozen products The facility adds to Groupe Robert’s agri-food complexes in Boucherville And once complete it will make Groupe Robert the province’s first third-party logistics provider with an automated warehouse for fresh and frozen foods alike The automated system will reportedly unload trailers in minutes And a heat recovery system that captures warmth from the refrigeration equipment will heat exterior concrete slabs on the loading docks Solar panels and a rainwater collection system will also be used to wash trailers The facility is scheduled to be operational in early 2023 “The Covid-19 pandemic made us realize the importance of consolidating local supply chains in order to ensure the delivery of products throughout Quebec By automating its new distribution and warehousing centre Groupe Robert consolidates its leadership position in the logistics sector,” said Lucie Lecours “Challenges related to Covid-19 pandemic have reminded us of the importance of having a strong distribution network for Quebec’s agri-food producers and processors,” added Janie Beique executive vice-president – investments with Fonds de solidarite FTQ “Thanks to its extensive experience in transport and logistics Groupe Robert is able to carry out this important project for a key sector of Quebec’s economy Congratulations to Michel Robert and the entire Groupe Robert team who are tackling key issues surrounding energy and technology transition!” Groupe Robert currently owns and operates more than 40 distribution centers covering a collective 3.5 million square feet Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" What type of pallet handling automation is being used for this facility We have changed the way we showcase trucks and trailers available for sale – and now send the details right to your email inbox Simply click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly HD Hotlist for the listings We use cookies to make your website experience better. By accepting this notice and continuing to browse our website you confirm you accept our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy read more >> MontrealNEWSQuebec government investing millions in Recyclage Carbone VarennesBy The Canadian PressPublished: August 24, 2022 at 8:55AM EDT The partnership will use the strengths of both companies to produce and deploy 100 percent carbon-free green hydrogen in the Greater Montréal area as well as expansion to fast-growing international markets the first mover for commercial production and distribution of green hydrogen announced today their intention to create a joint venture that will develop and operate a facility in Varennes for industrial-scale production of green hydrogen and other zero-carbon energy products The companies are completing conditions and terms with Greenfield Global and H2yGen each owning 50 percent and its governance will be composed of representatives from both companies The joint venture will build a facility in Varennes adjacent to Greenfield’s existing biorefinery The new facility will use the latest electrolysis technologies powered by hydroelectricity The final products of the joint venture (green hydrogen and biomethanol) will reach the standard of zero carbon footprint and zero greenhouse gas (GHG) by using the green carbon dioxide from Greenfield’s biorefinery The joint venture facility will be built at 29 MW and expanded to meet demand with a possible scale-up to 80 MW in 2024 The new Varennes facility will help deploy clean and position Québec to be a world leader in green hydrogen production “Greenfield Global and Hy2gen Canada coming together is driven by our shared values and mission to reduce the impacts of fossil fuels by providing the greenest most sustainable energy products for our customers the health of the planet,” said Greenfield President and CEO “The demand for green hydrogen is increasing vertiginously the commercial market is still at an embryonic stage Our green hydrogen and hydrogen-based production at competitive price and our networks will allow us to reach across different sector the clients will realize that it is very possible to reduce the impacts environmental crisis by using our products Our team has proven experience of developing building and operating plants and our vision has been supported by market leaders in the global commodities industry” said Cyril Dufau-Sansot “Québec is an ideal location to establish carbon-free hydrogen production given its abundant hydroelectricity and the strong government commitment to reducing greenhouse gases Greenfield operates the first and only ethanol plant built in Québec and produces the lowest carbon intensity ethanol in Canada is to expand our operations and expertise to help develop a hydrogen hub in the Greater Montréal area that is capable of expansion into fast-growing markets in North America EVP and Managing Director of Renewable Energy Greater Montréal’s economic promotion agency has been working to attract this new major player in the region “The hydrogen energy industry is gaining interest all over the world Using the driving force of water to produce renewable energy we have developed a solid reputation and stand apart from other North American regions low carbon emissions and no pollution rights to trade has played a key role in the decision of Greenfield Global and Hy2Gen Canada to invest in the region,” said Stéphane Paquet Foreign Investments and International Organizations The company was founded in 2018 in Montréal (Canada) and is 100% owned by Hy2gen AG Its business purpose is developing and operating electrolyzer facilities (>650 Mega Watt) for the production of green hydrogen and hydrogen-based feedstock such as bio-methanol and bio-methane Green hydrogen produced by Hy2gen AG by means of Alkaline electrolysis or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) Québec is an ideal location for establishing the first Hy2gen’s carbon free hydrogen productions in North America due to the facts that the central and local governments strongly committed to the reduction of greenhouse gases by supporting hydrogen business carbon free mobility and carbon reduction in the industrial sector Québec offers 100% green energy resulting from hydro power at the required level To learn more, visit www.hy2gen.ca Pictured here are the six most expensive houses sold in Little Rock from Jan "Sold" refers to the date on which the real estate deed was recorded by the Pulaski County circuit clerk This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing View the latest digital editions of all of our publications or head straight to the archives SUBSCRIBE VIEW ARCHIVES VIEW ARCHIVES VIEW ARCHIVES It is opening day for a brand-new NAPA Auto Parts store in the city of Varennes will occupy a fully renovated 11,400-square-foot building NAPA says the store will meet the growing needs of an ever-expanding local clientele of automotive service providers and consumers looking for quality automotive parts and maintenance products working with Annie Viau (assistant manager) “We’re very excited to be establishing a presence in the region to serve not only professionals but also retail consumers who want to benefit from our experts’ advice,” says Alain Primeau The new NAPA Auto Parts store has created eight new local jobs and website in this browser for the next time I comment Privacy Policy Hitachi Energy has announced investment of over $100 million for upgrade and modernization of its power transformer factory in Varennes and other facilities in Montreal to address increasing customer demand for sustainable energy in North America through funding from the Government of Quebec The investment supports Hitachi Energy’s recent announcement to ramp up its global transformer manufacturing capacity to support the long-term plans and electrification efforts The company’s Varennes facility not only supports national and regional power grids but also serves utility-scale renewable energy projects The factory designs and engineers large power step-up transformers and transformers for static compensators and HVDC transmission systems.  The location’s manufacturing capacity ranges from 100 to 1,200 MVA and their operating voltage is 800 kV A new additional 130,000 sq ft on-site transformer testing facility in Varennes will help meet growing demand in the province for sustainable energy solutions.  The facility will support the certification of power transformers manufactured in Varennes and is expected to be completed before the end of 2027 It will also create around 70 jobs to enable capacity expansion The initiative backs Quebec's broader strategy to meet its energy goals as well as requirement for more than 150 TWh of additional energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 “In addition to our global investments the support of the Quebec Government will help to address North America’s rising demand for transformers to support fast-growing sectors like renewable energy as Quebec strengthens its role as a key player in the energy transition,” said Bruno Melles Nikki ChandlerGroup Editorial Director, Energy[email protected] Jeff PostelwaitManaging Editor[email protected] Christina MarshSenior Editor[email protected] Ryan BakerAssociate Editor[email protected] Amy FischbachElectric Utility Operations[email protected] Rich MaxwellCommunity Editor[email protected] Gene WolfTechnical Editor[email protected] MontrealSecond fire at bar in Varennes this weekBy CTV MontrealPublished: October 28, 2015 at 7:24AM EDT by | Sep 8, 2020 | 0 comments UAP has announced that a brand-new NAPA Auto Parts store is opening in the city of Varennes The new NAPA Auto Parts store occupies a fully renovated 11,400-square-foot building Key team members include Steve Boucher (manager) Annie Viau (assistant manager) and René Fontaine (representative) It will meet the growing needs of an ever-expanding local clientele of automotive service providers The new NAPA Auto Parts store has created eight new local jobs that are sure to have a positive impact on the community NAPA Auto Parts579 Lionel Boulet Blvd.Varennes Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Volume 7 - 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00042 This article is part of the Research TopicGastronomic ScienceView all 6 articles The current proliferation of modern cookbooks targeted to the public at large makes it impossible to conceive of there being any that could have had an overriding influence on culinary practice or eating preferences when there was a historical absence of cookbooks for a half-century as there was in France in the first half of the seventeenth century it is argued herein that the advent of a single cookbook in 1651 could have had a transformational influence on culinary practice over the ensuing half-century The book went into more than 50 subsequent editions in the second half of the century La Varenne stated clearly that his intent was to provide a guide for professional cooks it is hypothesized in this article that the widespread and enduring success of the book was due to its attraction to and acquisition by the general public This can be ascribed to (i) the fact that there had been no French cookbook describing novel culinary approaches in the preceding 50 years and practical style of presentation of recipes and (iii) his selection of principal ingredients which were within the reach of the household cook and which reflected the availability of foods at the time of writing because Le Cuisinier Francois was laid out according to widely observed religious practices finding the best options for the appropriate day of the month became an easy task for the user La Varenne initiated a departure from an earlier style of heavily spiced cooking to one that was based on natural flavors rather than assuming that the enduring popularity of the book was due to its widespread use by culinary professionals it is argued that its style and substance must have imparted a sense of empowerment and confidence in the home cook and that La Varenne's influence on culinary practice was far more widespread and truly transformative accounting for the remarkable success of Le Cuisinier Francois It is rare that a single publication can be shown to have influenced the historical course of a field of endeavor. Examples of this in physiology and medicine in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are Vesalius's De Humani corporis fabrica libri septem (1543), describing and illustrating human anatomy, and Harvey's De Motu Cordis (1628), describing for the first time the circulation of the blood (1) The vast majority of French books of sustained influence published in the 1700s and appeared in the second half of the century is it at all reasonable to argue that a single publication could have had a transformative influence on the course of French culinary practice during this period and points out that the style and content of a single cookbook managed to influence culinary practice by non-professional and home cooks in France for at least a half-century How did this publication come to be so influential in mid-seventeenth century France It is my hypothesis that the popularity and influence of La Varenne's publication can be best measured by the multiple editions through which it went This could only have been due to its widespread adoption by the French public at large rather than by the professional chefs at whom it was initially aimed the following understandings would need to apply: the public was particularly receptive to instruction on how to be creative in the kitchen because an innovative cookbook had not been published in the half-century prior to the publication of Le Cuisinier Francois La Varenne based his recipes on foods widely available to the French public at this time The recipes in Le Cuisinier Francois were practical enough to be adopted and executed by home cooks and caterers and were presented in a precise and understandable style This enabled translation from recipe to table at a time the public was already moving toward a lighter and healthier style of cuisine The following sections examine the basis for each of these contentions: Title Page of first edition of Le Cuisiner Francois (1651) he entered into the service of the Marquis d'Uxelles (Louis Chalon du Ble where he was employed at the time of publication of his book he “found the secret how to make meates (sic) ready neatly and daintily” and was able to exercise his emerging talent to the benefit of the French princes and marshals assigning to himself the designation “clerk of your kitchin (sic),” a token of his passion for his service to his generous master Little more is known about the personal life of La Varenne. He was a member of the fraternity of cooks of the renaissance, about whom he states: “Of all the cookes (sic) in the world, the French are esteemed the best, and of all the cookes that ever France bred up, this may well challenge the first place, as the nearest and compleatest (sic) that ever did attend the French Court and Armies” (7) This rather self-congratulatory introduction was not off the mark since French cooks in the seventeenth century were already held in the highest regard due to the innovative food emerging from their kitchens It is worth considering the matter of La Varenne's creativity in light of the following statement by Philip and Mary Hyman in their introduction to the reprint of the 1653 English translation of Le Cuisinier Francois (7): “La Varenne cannot be credited with inventing the new cuisine presented in his book.” They go on to point to his dedicatory letter in the first edition in which he states (referring to his master): “I have found the secret how to make meats ready neatly and daintily… I think that the public ought to receive the profit of this experience of mine to that end it may owe unto you all the utility which it will receive thereby I have therefore set down in writing what I so long practiced in the honor of your service.” They appear to conclude from these remarks that La Varenne did not innovate his creations but acquired them “in the course of his employ.” They go on to declare that “his great contribution to French cuisine—no small accomplishment indeed—is to have been the first to set them down in writing.” It is my belief that this conclusion fails to recognize the common practice of the times when a (sometimes sycophantic) profusion of gratitude and thanks was conferred upon a master or patron as a matter of common practice written in an established style in a dedicatory letter and in which exaggerated flattery was the norm La Varenne must have acquired his expertise and developed his methods during the period of his employment of over a decade in a well-resourced kitchen learning from experience and from experimentation as would be expected of anyone with a sense of having something of value to impart He surely must have learned from colleagues in the kitchen but it is difficult to accept that he learned his “culinary secrets” and creations from a master whose nobility would hardly have allowed him to be drawn into the kitchen or roll up his sleeves to demonstrate his putative culinary talents to an employee It is thus my contention that La Varenne should be regarded as a highly original and creative individual and as an originator of an important trend in culinary practice La Varenne's lifetime overlapped with that of Louis XIV (1643–1715) a monarch whose eating habits and gourmandise became the substance of legend and who had often been observed by hundreds as he dined alone in the gardens of the Versailles palace La Varenne learned to cook in the luxury style expected by the aristocrats of his time it is argued here that his legacy was established by the fact that his methods were succinctly and accurately described in a “cookbook,” which may have been aimed initially at culinary professionals but was ultimately adopted by a wide swath of the French public This legacy is based upon his transformation of a medieval style of cooking into a fundamentally new French style of cooking a collection of recipes for medicines and different healthy drinks a book that was re-published in about 40 new editions between 1634 and 1670 These publications recapitulated existing culinary approaches without adding anything novel to the preceding half century of cookbooks published in seventeenth century France In his introduction, La Varenne wrote “for my fellows in the profession… of whom some, lacking experience or a ready memory, are unwilling or too timid to become involved in learning what they do not know…” (7) cooks learned their profession by instruction The advent of print could have been viewed as undermining the professional chef by making culinary knowledge available to anyone who might choose to access it the trade guilds that regulated professions such as baking and patisserie guarded their secrets jealously Publishers capitalized commercially from this realization An important stylistic element was La Varenne's use of terms such as “methode” and “discours” (method and presentation) in preference to the more traditional terms such as “treatise” and “doctrine,” which would have been used in more traditional scientific literature (3) This stylistic change must have made the book more approachable to the home cook who would have shied away from treatises with formidable scientific titles As Notaker states, La Varenne was “the first person to systematically try to realize this ideal of clarity and understanding. He distinguished between the basic sauces and preparations and the more elaborate ones, and he also gave cross references, so that the book appeared to be a coherent totality codifying the art of cookery” (3) It can only be surmised that the name of the author carried sufficient currency 30 years after his original publication for the publisher to feel the need to append his name inappropriately an act that almost surely boosted sales to the general public and home cooks The enduring posthumous reputation of Le Cuisiner Francois: Title page of the “eleventh edition” published in Lyon France in 1680 This reads (in English translation): “The French Cook wherein it is taught how to prepare all sorts of meats to make all sorts of baked goods and preserves Reviewed and augmented by a manual of preserves to prepare feasts during the four seasons of the year Chef de Cuisine for Mr Marquess d'Uxelles Eleventh Edition (published or edited) in Lyon With authorization.” An octavo volume (5 × 3 inches) containing three sections: (i) Le Cuisinier Francois It is likely that none of the three sections were written by La Varenne himself the attribution having been added to improve the attractiveness of the book to the buyers who recognized the name and reputation of the presumed author The pocket-sized book was presumably meant to be used in the kitchen (From the library of the author) In the first half of the seventeenth century French cuisine was slowly moving from an avoidance of spices to an increased adoption of vegetables and more refined flavors Emphases were placed on the specific attributes of vegetables and fruits and the potential of butter and salt to enhance the taste of foods The quality of produce was related to its cost and the seasons of the year and use was therefore was linked to social status New opportunities existed for access to a seasonal range of fresh produce throughout the year including fruits and vegetables which ripened at different times of the year One also needed to know what parts of the animal imparted each nuance of flavor or which differences in cooking time altered responsiveness to flavoring All of these considerations went into the process of selection in the market as did the region in France from which it originated given that each specialty may have been sourced from a specific region and even water required a knowledge of where and how they were resourced La Varennes's recipes generally called for few ingredients and eggs) to season ragouts and fricassees containing far more information than La Varenne's Both used bread croutons as thickening agents and both Both cautioned about the excessive addition of acidic ingredients Bonnefons was far more obsessive about sourcing and was cognizant of seasonal difference for fruits What accounted for the appearances of La Varenne's and Bonnefons's books at roughly the same time in Paris The answer surely lies in the cultural and national emergence of Paris as one of Europe's most influential capitals France was the dominant power in Europe with the largest army and a population three times larger than that of England The arts were encouraged and supported by its ministers The Academie Francaise was established a few decades before the publications of La Varenne's book and French was the language of the elite of many nations When Louis XIV ascended to the throne and Versailles became symbol of his power French cuisine emerged as the classic of the golden era French cuisine had been dominant for centuries and, whereas French cookbooks were translated into many European languages, no foreign cookbook was translated into French in the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries (3) French chefs were hired by the English nobility with their cookbooks being translated and their recipes copied and adapted to local products and fashions French cuisine in the first half of the seventeenth century was slowly moving away from heavy and intrusive spicing to more subtle and less intrusive tastes so the stage was set for an inflection point in culinary practice the average caloric intake per person was about 2,000 a day Peasants often sold their best produce and wheat while they themselves ate millet and lambs for sale at the market while they ate salted pork There was no comparison between what the common man consumed and the meat France emerged as the “homeland of fine fare,” receiving foods from the four corners of Europe and leading to a culture of gourmandism and opulence To address the hypothesis that availability of specific foods in the French marketplace played a key role in La Varenne's choice of recipes, the following considerations are relevant. All are derived from Braudel (21) One of the most important constituents of the French diet of the time was grain determining which grains were affordable to each socio-economic group with the grain coming from the head of the corn being superior to that called “small corn,” was often mixed with the lesser cereals The quality of bread made from these cereals was accordingly determined by the mixtures used While there was a royal monopoly on grain in the latter years of the ancien regime For the common people there was a “monotony of diet,” which existed when carbohydrates exceeded about 60 percent of the dietary intake More bread was consumed in the countryside than in towns and different grades of bread virtually identified the social status of the buyer Terms such as “choyne,” “safleur,” and “reboulet” defined these grades of bread No more than four percent of the French population ate white bread; “choyne” was bread for the rich and “soft bread,” made with brewer's yeast Meats of all sorts were widely available in France in the sixteenth century fresh meat consumption was gradually replaced by cereals and smoked and salted meat possibly in accordance with the current wisdom to “eat meat four times a day.” Cookbooks abounded with instructions about how to add spices such as ginger since these were reputed to drive off bloating and to “favor the seed.” La Varenne's inclusion of recipes for meat dishes was fairly limited In the mid-seventeenth century the spice market was centered in Amsterdam became widely consumed across Europe largely due to increased availability from the Far East When prices began to fall and spices were no longer considered “exotic” additives their desirability declined and they appeared less routinely on household tables and pepper began to appear on the tables of the poor while saffron remained a luxury ingredient Sugar was used widely in preparing all sorts of foods including meats and what was previously a “medicine” began to be consumed as a necessary foodstuff and tobacco as agents that enhanced the pleasure of a meal and coffee were all available in France prior to 1650 Cheese was a principal ingredient of the diet from mid-sixteenth century from Switzerland as a cheap source of protein cookery books gave little coverage to cheese with goat and ewe cheeses being regarded as inferior Religious rulings governed the consumption of fish; fast days prevailed during the reign of Louis XIV with consumption of eggs and poultry being prohibited at these times Fresh water fish from the Loire included salmon and carp Seafood is the predominant main course ingredient in Le Cuisinier Francois The fragile and transient nature of ripe vegetables and fruit made them prized ingredients among those who could afford them. They were sourced from specialty farmers but also from private gardens, which were becoming fashionable around the time of Le Jardinier Francais (22) Experienced gardeners tended the kitchen gardens of the wealthy with talents that included the ability to raise vegetables and fruits out of season By careful selection of different species and use of hot beds it became possible to grow some species over most of the year it was not uncommon for one to rent a house if one wished to entertain guests over a meal Tables were set for a predetermined number of guests with knives so fingers were the obvious option until forks entered common usage Table manners had to wait for another century With the advent of a more “thoughtful” and refined cuisine (23) a home-dining culture evolved led initially by the elite for whom polished manners at the table became an expectation if one were invited into the exclusive company at the table The aristocracy set the tone of behavior expected of court society These patterns spilled over into bourgeois society in France to become the new national norm The evolution of this top-down diffusion of aristocratic refinement set France apart from German and English cooking styles which were determined by populations whose tastes were determined largely by what was affordable and a broad knowledge of the humanities and national affairs became the basis for conversation at the table The dinner table became the setting for expression of values and ideas where forthright views and convivial discussions allowed for an equity of male and female views without a hierarchical seating plan Food courses in a typical meal were served a la francaise meaning the simultaneous placement of multiple separate dishes on the table at the outset of the meal This applied to family meals as well as to more formal occasions Without the need for waiters or servants to serve individual courses family and guests would partake of the offerings in no specific order An obvious disadvantage of this approach was the loss of heat from warm dishes as the meal wore on the dishes devised and presented by La Varenne were not “fancy” in appearance and did not pander to the need for elaborate displays and visual effects the main ingredient was complemented by understated sauces and garnishes which did not obscure the fundamental taste of the dish Never to be denied their gustatory enjoyments Parisians in the mid-seventeenth century wanted more than the savory dishes They wanted something sweet and something soft and so the pâtissier and the confectioner (confiseur) emerged preparing pastries and confections in rooms separate from the main kitchen of the house Apart from the notion of a healthy lifestyle in the countryside and provision of fruits and vegetables from gardens as promulgated by Bonnefons, La Varenne placed an emphasis on the harmony of identifiable flavors. His capon broth is an example where each of the variations on the recipe would be identifiable: “chicory slightly bitter, cardoon bitter and sweet, parsley fragrant and herbaceous” (4) His dishes almost never called for addition of sugar and rarely for ginger or cinnamon An important contribution of La Varenne was his attention to detail preparing to baste throughout the process was key to dishes such as suckling pig The danger of overcooking fish was of importance given the numerous fish dishes which dominate his book adjusting the cooking temperature according to the size of the fish and the consistency of the flesh and creating a court bouillon (the liquid in which a fish may be poached) were all steps which required attention to detail No longer was the fire an appropriate source of heat since the temperature of sensitive ingredients (egg yolks) could only be controlled by raising or lowering the cooking pot hardly an adequate means of achieving a delicate outcome which included sections with burners set at different temperatures allowed pots to be moved from one to another and enabled constant stirring La Varenne's style of cooking was inventive, delicate, and played to the senses of smell and taste by delivering a variety and diversity of flavors and aromas [We have argued (25) that the sense of smell is an important activator of the digestive process prior to a morsel of food entering the mouth] La Varenne clearly played to a broad sensorium The result was the emergence of a cuisine that was delicate and refined used only the juices of the principle ingredient as the basis for sauces and thickening agents Ingredients could be added at the table according to individual tastes instead of being considered essential ingredients Many of his dishes required little more than the juices remaining in the cooking pan This approach was taken for roasts of birds Ragouts needed little more than wine or cream coupled with the ability of fats (egg yolk) to enhance flavors led to a transformation of French cuisine from being complex or sweet to one that accentuated natural flavors representing the refined and thoughtful style of a culinary practice Ragouts and potages were main elements in the repertoire of La Varenne in sauces that could augment their natural flavors Such sauces no longer altered the viscosities and intensities that characterized medieval cuisine The potage was either a clear bisque or a category of thickened soup or stew in which meat or vegetables are boiled together with water to acquire a thickened consistency La Varenne included many options for these for all days of the calendar Two methods innovated by La Varenne are worthy of attention: (a) emulsification and (b) the creation of a roux Emulsification was the process of maintaining fine droplets of oil or fat in a liquid which assumed a creamy appearance and slightly viscous texture The tendency of the two ingredients to separate required a stirring process and a precise ratio of one to the other When mixed with the juices of meats or vegetables such as bearnaise or hollandaise are examples) Even gently heated cream or butter would serve this purpose but more often egg yolk was the usual emulsifying agent Buttery sauces became the staple of La Varenne for cooking fish with only a small number of recipes requiring additional seasoning ingredients Not only was a perception of smoothness imparted which enhanced the visual appeal of the dish The key to emulsified sauce was precision of temperature control Addition of court-bouillon or some acid (vinegar lemon juice) to cold beaten butter would make the sauce creamier Adding remnants of meat by deglazing the cooking pan with wine or bouillon and the addition of butter or egg yolks would capture the essential flavor of the meat in an emulsified sauce Such sauces also appear in La Varenne's recipes for vegetables (asparagus and where an “edge” was called for A roux was created by sprinkling flour onto an ingredient (meat or vegetable) while it was being cooked The emitted fats formed a paste with the flour and were augmented by the ingredient's juices to form a sauce The advantage of this method was that the sauce allowed for advanced preparation and even for storage Fundamental to the design and organization of the cookbook two key considerations seem to have been in the mind of La Varenne: the layout of the cookbook which would best encourage its frequent perusal and a selection of ingredients most likely to be available to its readers and users His attention to both points may well explain the basis for the wide appeal of the book It was organized around the Christian calendar which differentiated between “lean days” (meals without meat) “flesh days” (meals with meat) and “fasting days,” with Lent being the longest period of fasting In the original Christian calendar there were between 150 and 250 lean days meaning that unrestricted eating was permissible for only the remaining days This practice became less restrictive in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Meat and fats were clearly restricted as options for some days Fish was less restricted and was included on lean days Drying and smoking were also in common use The creation of preserves was also described Le Cuisinier was thus organized into sections which provided menu options for flesh days, for lean days, for Lent days, and for pastries (savory), which could be eaten throughout the year (Figure 3) Figure 3. Table of contents modified from the English translationof the 1652 edition of Le Cuisinier Francois (7) Ragouts were thickened with flour sautéed in fat who was expecting his readers to be the professional cooks well-versed in the basic techniques of cooking may have been that lengthy and detailed descriptions were not called for may well have worked to his advantage in popularizing the book in that inexperienced cooks were less likely to be intimidated by short instructions than having to wade through lengthy and tortuous recipes The majority of recipes in Le Cuisinier Francois were for seafood Recipes for ~50 different species of fish are presented the fish being mainly of the saltwater type and the most frequent being eel These were the species most available in the markets at that time The success of Le Cuisinier Francois in 1651 is evidenced by the large number of editions published over the subsequent 50 years The case is made that this could only have occurred if the book was purchased and used by the population at large rather than being restricted to professional cooks This occurred against a backdrop of an almost complete absence of comparable publications in the prior half-century Explanations for this widespread and enduring success lie in La Varenne's precise and uncomplicated style of writing his selection of principal ingredients within the reach of the household cook and recipes that reflected the foods available to the French populace at the time of writing finding the best options for the appropriate day of the month became an easy task for the home cook Although other cookbooks began to appear shortly after its publication in France and the rest of Europe the inflection point undoubtedly occurred in mid-seventeenth century arguably making La Varenne the most influential food writer of his time His book initiated a departure from a “medieval” style of cooking in France moving to one that was based upon natural flavors a limited use of spices and uncomplicated cooking methods This must have imparted a sense of empowerment and confidence to the home cook the author and his book were truly transformative The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest I am grateful for the helpful comments provided by my colleagues in the Program for the History of Medicine A 2000 year history of nephrology: 10 enduring scientific landmarks Delaware City; Houten: Oak Knoll Press an HES & De Graaf (2010) Google Scholar A History of Cookbooks: From Kitchen to Page Over Seven Centuries Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar The French Cook Francois Pierre La Varenne With an introduction by Philip and Mary Hyman Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Defining Culinary Authority: The Transformation of Cooking in France 1650-1830 Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar NY: Perennial Library; Harper and Row (1985) Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Google Scholar Sense of smell as the central driver of pavlovian appetite behavior in mammals Citation: Fine LG (2020) The Transformative Influence of La Varenne's Le Cuisinier Francois (1651) on French Culinary Practice Received: 18 January 2020; Accepted: 20 March 2020; Published: 28 April 2020 Copyright © 2020 Fine. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Leon G. 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