Lakehead U creates green industry research chair.

Thunder Bay's Lakehead University is creating an industrial research chair in green chemicals and processes.

The establishment of the five-year position is being bolstered with more than $814,000 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. The position will be supported by a staff of 16.

The research will focus on ways to reduce the environmental impacts of the pulp and paper and mineral processing industries.

An additional investment of $473,000 from the Heritage Fund is being funnelled into the university for a new fire resistance testing laboratory and furnace to allow engineering students to study the fire resistance of large-scale building components, such as beams, columns and floor assemblies.

"Our exceptional education system focuses on innovation and independent thinking, which continues to...