Northstar Clean Technologies Secures Long-Term Lease in Hamilton, Ontario for New Facility

Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. has recently announced an exciting development in its expansion strategy: the signing of a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Great Lakes Port Management Inc., a subsidiary of the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA). This agreement involves a long-term lease for a site in Hamilton, Ontario, intended for the company's upcoming Empower Hamilton Facility.

The LOI outlines an initial lease term of 15 years, with the opportunity for three additional five-year extensions. The property is zoned for industrial use, which aligns perfectly with Northstar’s operational objectives. The chosen site not only offers a 4-acre area for development but also includes essential infrastructure such as an operating building, which will streamline Northstar's efforts as it embarks on this significant project.

Aidan Mills, the President and CEO of Northstar, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this pivotal milestone. He stated, “We are excited to make our first public announcement regarding our expansion into Ontario. The future site of the Empower Hamilton Facility, with our long-term landlord, HOPA, is an ideal location for our first commercial facility in Ontario and we look forward to making a meaningful difference to southern Ontario's landfills.” The company anticipates that the facility will divert between 40,000 to 80,000 tonnes of waste asphalt shingles annually from local landfills, thus addressing a key environmental concern.

In a joint statement, Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA, elaborated on the significance of this partnership, stating, “HOPA is proud to be enabling this circular economy innovation in Southern Ontario's housing and construction sector.” HOPA emphasizes the importance of repurposing industrial lands to support sustainable initiatives. The location's strategic position also benefits from existing multimodal transportation assets, including easy access to ports and rail services through Hamilton Container Terminals.

The selection of Hamilton as a site was made after considering several critical factors. Northstar aims to work closely with HOPA, leveraging their strong development track record and ensuring proximity to major industry stakeholders. Another significant advantage is the location's access to a substantial population base, with Hamilton having approximately 785,000 residents and the Greater Toronto Area housing over 7 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area in Canada.

With this lease in place, Northstar is now poised to move forward with essential next steps. The company plans to initiate permitting processes and apply for governmental grants early in 2025. Furthermore, they will begin advanced negotiations regarding feedstock and off-take agreements necessary for the Empower Hamilton Facility.

Northstar is currently focused on completing construction at its Empower Calgary Facility but is enthusiastic about the future possibilities presented by the Hamilton site. The company’s vision is to lead in the recovery and reprocessing of asphalt shingles across North America.

As indicated by Mills, the successful establishment of the Empower Hamilton Facility will contribute significantly to Northstar’s sustainable business model and help revitalize regional waste management practices. The company’s innovative approach to waste recovery from asphalt shingles, traditionally directed to overflowing landfills, positions it as a frontrunner in the clean technology landscape.

For previous updates, the company recently indicated its financial results during a virtual investor webcast scheduled for December 2, 2024, to engage with stakeholders and discuss its strategic initiatives in greater detail.

Through its ongoing partnership with HOPA and strategic expansion into Ontario, Northstar Clean Technologies is set to make an impactful contribution to the region's economy while promoting environmentally responsible practices. This initiative not only reflects a commitment to the circular economy but also underlines the importance of innovative solutions in addressing contemporary waste management challenges.