Canada has everything it needs to lead in sustainable bread-making tools: vast forests, world-class pulp producers, and a thriving artisan baking community. Yet one of the most essential tools of sourdough baking—the wood pulp banneton—is almost entirely imported. These baskets, crucial for shaping and fermenting dough, are manufactured overseas and shipped across oceans to Canadian bakeries and homes.
This is an unnecessary gap in Canada’s local food infrastructure. At a time when sustainability, self-reliance, and clean manufacturing are national priorities, it’s hard to justify the absence of a product we are perfectly positioned to produce. This blog post article on The Sourdough People makes the case for manufacturing wood pulp bannetons in Canada—from what they are, to how they’re made, to who could lead the way—and invites the Canadian wood pulp industry to seize this opportunity.
What Are Wood Pulp Banneton Bread Proofing Baskets Used For
Wood pulp bannetons are baskets used during the final fermentation stage of sourdough bread-making. After dough has been mixed, kneaded, and bulk fermented, it’s placed into a banneton to rest and rise one last time before baking. The basket supports the dough’s shape, encourages airflow, and absorbs just enough surface moisture to help form a robust crust.
While bannetons can be made from a variety of materials, wood pulp is the gold standard in many professional bakeries. It’s breathable, lightweight, hygienic, and offers a clean release when the dough is inverted. Its ability to create an ideal fermentation environment makes it more than just a tool—it’s a key ingredient in the sourdough process.
Why Canadian Manufacturing Is Long Overdue
Despite being one of the largest producers of wood pulp in the world, Canada does not manufacture wood pulp bannetons. This results in a paradox: we export the raw materials and import the finished products. Most bannetons used in Canada are manufactured in Europe or Asia, shipped thousands of kilometers, and sold at prices that reflect not just labor and materials—but fuel, packaging, and carbon.
Domestic manufacturing would correct this imbalance. It would also support local artisans and commercial bakeries looking to align their values with their tools. A made-in-Canada banneton would appeal to bakers seeking to minimize their environmental impact while supporting homegrown industry. And for the pulp sector, this product represents a timely and tangible way to diversify into value-added consumer goods.
Types and Sizes of Wood Pulp Bannetons
To make this opportunity practical, Canadian manufacturers need only look to what is already working. Wood pulp bannetons exist in a clearly defined range of forms, each suited to different baking needs. They are not experimental—they’re standardized, proven, and in high demand.
Banneton By Loaf Size (Baked Weight)
Bannetons are sized based on the final baked bread weight, allowing bakers to achieve the perfect dough-to-pan ratio.
500g – Ideal for test bakes, personal loaves, or small boules
750g – The most common size for home bakers and microbakeries
1kg – A commercial workhorse used for full-size artisan loaves
1.25kg to 1.5kg – Suited for enriched doughs or extended fermentation
2kg to 2.5kg – Designed for larger-scale baking and market loaves
Banneton By Shape
Different shapes influence fermentation, crust development, and aesthetic appeal.
Round – Classic boule shape that rises vertically and evenly
Oval – Elongated bâtard shape ideal for slicing
Long Oval – Extended form that offers more surface area and supports higher hydration doughs
Long Angular – Boxier shape used in bakery settings for structured, uniform loaves
Quadratic – Square profile that maximizes oven space and creates bold visual impact
Triangular – Distinctive shape used for visual differentiation and specialty breads
Long Angled – Tapered format that allows for expressive scoring and unique loaf silhouettes
Banneton By Surface Texture
Surface impressions impact the look of the finished loaf and how flour adheres during proofing.
Smooth – Clean finish perfect for scoring and crust development
Spiral – Traditional concentric rings associated with rustic loaves
Creased – Linear grooves that promote flour adhesion and surface character
Waffle – A grid pattern that enhances crust definition
Impressed Motifs – Decorative designs such as suns, hearts, windmills, or celtic symbols for specialty presentation
Banneton By Opening Dimensions
Bannetons are commonly categorized by their top opening dimensions, which align with dough weight and shape. The following are standard and plausible sizes used by artisan and commercial bakers:
Round – 18.4 cm, 21 cm, 22.9 cm, and 24 cm
Oval – 23 x 11.5 cm, 24 x 14.5 cm, 28 x 13 cm, and 30 x 15 cm
Long Angular – 29 x 13 cm, 31 x 13.5 cm, and 33 x 15 cm
Quadratic (Square) – 26 x 15 cm, 25 x 25 cm
Rectangular – 30 x 12 cm, 32 x 14 cm
Triangular – Typically designed for loaves between 750 g and 1.5 kg, dimensions vary but average around 26 cm side length
Specialty Forms – Custom-molded baskets shaped for 500 g to 2.5 kg doughs, often varying in width and wall height depending on design intent
All of these formats are readily available internationally and can be produced locally with the right tools and materials. The demand is already shaped and scaled—Canada simply needs to meet it.
Wood Species in Canada Suitable for Banneton Production
Canada’s forests produce an abundance of softwood species ideal for food-safe molded fiber products. These woods are already used extensively in pulp production and are suitable for adapting into pressed pulp bannetons.
Spruce – Lightweight, long-fibered, and traditionally used in European bannetons
Fir – Durable and dense, offering excellent molding strength
Pine – Highly accessible with a strong fiber matrix
Hemlock – Common in western Canada and frequently used in paper products
The infrastructure to process these woods already exists. With proper tooling and quality controls, these fibers can be turned into high-performance, food-safe proofing baskets using established molding techniques.
Benefits of Domestic Banneton Manufacturing
Manufacturing bannetons in Canada would deliver tangible advantages across sectors, from climate strategy to economic development.
Environmental – Reduced emissions by eliminating long-distance freight, combined with the use of renewable, compostable wood pulp
Economic – Supports regional mills and manufacturers, creates skilled labor jobs, and stimulates pulp-sector growth
Resilience – Strengthens Canadian supply chains, protects against global disruptions, and builds local independence
Cultural – Gives Canadian bakers a tool made from local materials, reflecting shared values of quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship
Tax and Trade – Keeps more revenue in the country and builds a domestic category that can be exported globally
This is a clear example of a small product with large implications—economic, cultural, and ecological.
Companies in Canada Positioned to Make Bannetons
Canada is home to a broad network of pulp producers with the infrastructure, materials, and capacity to explore consumer-grade wood pulp products like bannetons. These companies already manufacture high-quality pulp used in everything from paper to packaging, and many are actively seeking new, sustainable product applications.
Potential partners and producers include: Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac), Boisaco Inc., Canfor Corporation (including Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership and Cariboo Pulp & Paper Company), Cascades Inc., Catalyst Paper Corporation (a subsidiary of Paper Excellence Group), Domtar Corporation, Dryden Fibre Canada, GreenFirst Forest Products Inc., Harmac Pacific, Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Limited Partnership (a subsidiary of Paper Excellence Group), Interfor Corporation, J.D. Irving, Limited (including Irving Pulp & Paper, Irving Paper, and Irving Tissue), Kap Paper, Kruger Inc., Mercer International Inc. (operating Mercer Celgar and Mercer Peace River), Millar Western Forest Products Ltd., Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd., Nordic Kraft (a subsidiary of Chantiers Chibougamau), Paper Excellence Group (including Catalyst Paper and Howe Sound Pulp & Paper), Port Hawkesbury Paper LP, Resolute Forest Products Inc., Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (RYAM), Skookumchuck Pulp Inc. (a subsidiary of Paper Excellence Group), Stadacona Papers (a division of White Birch Paper), Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Inc. (owned by Atlas Holdings), Tolko Industries Ltd., Twin Rivers Paper Company Inc., and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
With operations spanning multiple provinces, these companies represent a ready-made network of potential collaborators for developing a homegrown supply of Canadian wood pulp bannetons.
Canada’s Wood Pulp Industry by the Numbers
Canada’s wood pulp sector remains a cornerstone of the national economy in 2025, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a shifting global market. The industry is projected to generate approximately $8.5 billion CAD in revenue this year, marking a 3.5% increase from 2024, despite a compound annual decline of 5.4% since 2020.
The sector encompasses 48 active businesses, contributing to a robust industrial landscape. Employment figures are equally significant, with 9,404 individuals working in wood pulp mills across the country.
Canada’s pulp production is predominantly export-oriented, with approximately 80% of output destined for international markets. The United States and China are primary recipients, accounting for 59% and 22% of exports, respectively.
This extensive infrastructure and global reach underscore Canada’s capacity to diversify into value-added products like food-grade bannetons. Leveraging existing resources and expertise, the industry is well-positioned to meet domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports.
Why This Product Line Fits the Canadian Pulp Sector
The pulp industry in Canada is well established, but like many legacy sectors, it needs to innovate to remain resilient in a changing economy. Wood pulp bannetons offer a rare combination of feasibility, demand, and mission alignment.
Low Cost – Requires minimal raw material per unit and uses existing equipment
High Value – Sells into a specialized, high-margin market with growing demand
Brand Potential – Offers consumer-facing visibility for pulp producers and manufacturers
Diversification – Provides a non-commodity product line that’s aligned with environmental trends
This isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about reapplying known methods to meet a new market need.
A Call to Action for Canada’s Wood Pulp Industry
The Sourdough People is ready to work with pulp producers, bakers, designers, and manufacturers to prototype and produce the first line of Canadian-made wood pulp bannetons. This is not just about bread. It’s about building a supply chain that connects our forests to our food.
We invite you—whether you’re in forestry, manufacturing, bakery operations, or sustainable development—to get in touch. Together, we can create something beautiful, useful, and uniquely Canadian. While positioning locally made banneton sales to Canadians in a direct-to-consumer (D2C) and business-to-business (B2B) wholesale model, through our warehousing and logistics systems.
Closing Thoughts
Canada exports pulp. It grows grain. It bakes world-class bread. But it still imports the very baskets used to shape its loaves.
We can change that. We should change that. Together.
A domestically made wood pulp banneton is more than a product—it’s a statement. About what we can build, about how we support our food culture, and about how we take climate action through the objects we use every day.
The forest is here. The talent is here. The bakers are here. Let’s bring the banneton home.
Useful Resource Links
Wikipedia Overview
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Statista Datasets
Pulp and Paper Canada
Government of Canada
Dun & Bradstreet
