Canadian firm considers development in County
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Aroostook County is one of several locations worldwide being considered by a Canadian company for the manufacturing of ceiling tiles using natural and renewable resources.
“Communities in Aroostook County along the border with New Brunswick are among sites being considered worldwide for the future production of ceiling tiles,” said Peter Roosen, chairman, president and CEO of Castagra Products, Inc., of British Columbia.
Roosen, who described himself as “the number one guy in the world for certain types of plastics relative to gypsum,” visited the Star City on business with Tom O’Keefe, to discuss what was necessary to move the project forward.
“Tom’s Canada’s leading expert on industrial hemp processing and commercialization, based in Nova Scotia. I’ve been involved for years with producing construction materials using gypsum, recycled plastics and drywall, and vegetable oil,” explained Roosen. “We got together last year and began looking into producing a product — ceiling tiles — adding hemp to the list of ingredients I’d been using in my business.”
Roosen said O’Keefe had him come east to discuss the matter in more detail.
“Tom had me come out to review hemp processing in Knoxford (New Brunswick). That’s across from River de Chute,” said Roosen.
“Just across the border from the back side of Mars Hill Mountain. You can see the wind turbines from the field,” added O’Keefe.
Roosen said various Aroostook County communities would be ideal, given the various border crossing and the close proximity to hemp-producing fields. He said the biggest problem they’re facing is U.S. laws pertaining to hemp. He and O’Keefe met with officials while staying in Presque Isle to try to work out details.
“We came to the Hampton Inn on Friday, Jan. 30, to put together an international licensing agreement and to do some technical patenting work,” said Roosen.
“These people have been super here, allowing us to take over their business center to do our work,” added O’Keefe.
Adding hemp to construction materials like ceiling tiles enhances the product’s durability, said Roosen.
“Hemp is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. Adding it to tiles makes them last longer,” he said. “Using new technology, we’re able to combine plastic and gypsum. Using that same technology, we can combine plastic and gypsum with industrial hemp,” said Roosen.
“It’s the strongest textile fiber (in the world),” noted O’Keefe.
While industrial hemp growth is legal on the Canadian side of the border, O’Keefe said use of the crop stateside is gaining in popularity.
“There’s a lot of support in the U.S. People recognize hemp as a viable option in manufacturing,” said O’Keefe.
“Governments on both sides (of the border) are working to lift restrictions,” said Roosen.
The last few months have been spent going over ideas and ways to make them a reality.
“We’ve worked the last couple months on coming up with ideas. The thought process allowed for further prototyping,” said O’Keefe, as he continued, “see how they (the combined products) acted. We were surprised how they bonded together.”
Roosen described the finished product as “more robust,” with a “larger degree of fire abatement and other necessary factors.”
The pair take pride in the fact that the end product comes from primarily recycled products and natural resources.
“We use a lot of recycled drywall. We know now that it (production of such products) can only grow on the Canadian side,” said Roosen, noting production costs are being considered and that production could be based on proximity to key ingredients, such as hemp.
Another key element in determining the location of a manufacturing facility will be distribution.
“Critical factors include shipment — distance to key markets. There are several areas we’re looking at all over the world, based on proximity to key ingredients,” said O’Keefe, who was planning a trip to India following his stay in Presque Isle.
Roosen said they’re looking for “viable locations worldwide.”
The tiles will be promoted as being “green” product.
“They’re an environmentally friendly product, a clean product. There’s no waste in the manufacturing process. Every pound of material brought in the factory is incorporated into production — oil, hemp, plastic, gypsum. They’re rapid renewables,” Roosen said.
The pair hoped their visit to the Star City was productive and progress could get under way in the year ahead.
“We signed the international contracts. We could begin putting begin putting a facility online following the end of this growing season,” said Roosen.
“Not many things combine plastics with natural fibers,” said O’Keefe. “Within six months we’ll have an idea where we stand.”
Roosen said although there has been public concern over the years about the production of industrial hemp, the crop is actually being produced worldwide and used in a variety of products.
“Promoting industrial hemp makes it harder to grow illicit — cross pollination with industrial hemp cancels out the effect of the illicit plant,” explained Roosen. “It’s grown all over the world, places like Germany.”
O’Keefe said hemp is used a lot in Europe, including in auto production.
“Europe uses it extensively in the automotive industry, in such things as Mercedes floor mats. China grows more than anyone else, but uses little for production of goods. China exports it as a raw material,” said O’Keefe.
Both men have been in the manufacturing world for about 30 years, but on different paths. They’re hoping their newest venture together will bring good things for both sides of the border.
“Both sides of the border have really spelled out a high degree of support for green industries. Our plan would create jobs on both sides of the border,” said O’Keefe.
O’Keefe said he and Roosen are looking for possible funding, through various agencies.
“Funds are available through LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This product would qualify for funding at the platinum level,” said O’Keefe. “LEED gives green credits for every green material used. This (the tile) is a top qualifier,” said O’Keefe.
“There are millions of our product in use — moldings, roofing materials. But this is our first venture with hemp,” said Roosen. “This is exciting. We’re looking forward to adding another green product to the world market.”
“This is a global deal,” said O’Keefe.
For more information, visit castagra.com.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
TILE MANUFACTURING could be in Aroostook County’s future, according to two Canadian businessmen who stayed in Presque Isle recently for a meeting to discuss the cross-border venture of producing tiles from natural and renewable resources, including industrial-grade hemp. Pictured with a sample tile are, from left: Peter Roosen, chairman, president and CEO of Castagra Products, Inc, of British Columbia; and Tom O’Keefe, described as Canada’s leading expert in industrial hemp processing and commercialization, based in Nova Scotia.
Photo courtesy of Peter Roosen
INDUSTRIAL HEMP is currently being produced and regulated by the Canadian government. Here, a tractor is pictured on a farm in New Brunswick as it moves a bale for storage.
