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Water reduction program for paper mills
Funding for pulp and paper water-use reduction
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The program provides financial support to help pulp and paper businesses reduce water use and improve their processes. The maximum funding is $100,000 for studies and $1,000,000 for investment projects, including pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, process trials, and in-plant implementation or pilot projects.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Increase operational productivity
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Pre-feasibility studies to reduce water use in pulp and paper operations.
- Feasibility studies to reduce water use in pulp and paper operations.
- Trials and process determination work related to water-use reduction.
- In-plant implementation of processes, technologies, equipment, and systems.
- In-plant pilot projects to reduce water use.
Documents Needed
- Grant application form
- Eligible expenses table
- Supporting documents listed in Annex II of the Applicant’s Guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit companies and groups of companies in the pulp and paper industry.
- Research centres in the pulp and paper sector.
- Educational institutions in the pulp and paper sector.
- Advisory services organizations in the pulp and paper sector.
- Knowledge-transfer organizations in the pulp and paper sector.
Who is not eligible
- Non-profit businesses or groups of businesses.
- Ministries, budgetary organizations, and federal public bodies.
- Organizations listed in the RENA registry, including their listed subcontractors.
- Applicants that are insolvent, bankrupt, or in a creditor proposal process.
- Applicants with unresolved non-compliance following a prior Québec government financial aid notice.
Eligible expenses
- Internal labour and professional fees linked to study reports, project design, installation, coordination, and quality control.
- Laboratory tests, in-situ tests, monitoring, modelling, prototypes, and related consultant fees.
- Materials, software, small equipment, equipment rental or installation, and related subcontracting costs.
- Patents, intellectual property protection, technology transfer, certification, and documentation costs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Dividends, shares, and stock options.
- Administrative costs, travel expenses, office equipment, and project financing costs.
- Land, building acquisition or construction, demolition, and geographic studies.
- General salaries or professional fees not directly tied to the project, as well as fees paid to owners holding 10% or more of the company.
- Taxes, loan interest, loan repayment, and payments to entities listed in the RENA registry.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in chronological order of submission.
- Only complete applications are analyzed and an acknowledgement of receipt is issued for a complete file.
- Eligible applications are assessed by a selection committee, and funding is not guaranteed even if eligibility is met.
- If approved, a funding agreement must be signed before the subsidy is granted.
Additional information
- Only complete applications will be analyzed.
- The maximum total size of email attachments must not exceed 25 MB.
- Project monitoring uses step and final report templates.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Water reduction program for paper mills Program
What is the Water reduction program for paper mills?
The program provides financial support to help pulp and paper businesses reduce water use and improve their processes. The maximum funding is $100,000 for studies and $1,000,000 for investment projects, including pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, process trials, and in-plant implementation or pilot projects.
How much funding can be received?
Water reduction program for paper mills Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Water reduction program for paper mills program?
To be eligible for the Water reduction program for paper mills program, you must:
For-profit company, group, or research/teaching/advisory centre
Pulp and paper industry
Establishment in Quebec
What expenses are eligible under Water reduction program for paper mills?
Pre-feasibility studies to reduce water use in pulp and paper operations.
Feasibility studies to reduce water use in pulp and paper operations.
Trials and process determination work related to water-use reduction.
In-plant implementation of processes, technologies, equipment, and systems.
In-plant pilot projects to reduce water use.
Who can I contact for more information about the Water reduction program for paper mills?
You can contact Government of Québec by email at PREP@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca.
Where is the Water reduction program for paper mills available?
The Water reduction program for paper mills program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Water reduction program for paper mills a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Water reduction program for paper mills is a Grant and Funding