HIF Tasmania eFuels facility is expected to start producing up to 100 million liters of carbon neutral eFuels per year in 2028 HIF Global, the world’s leading eFuels company, on Wednesday announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Forico, Tasmania’s largest private forestry manager, to support development of Australia’s first eFuels production facility. The collaboration anticipates utilisation of a site at …

This year has been a financial disaster for Enviva, the world’s largest producer of wood pellets for the biomass energy industry. With more than $250 million in losses to date and worsening results expected in the fourth quarter, the once high-flying company’s viability, by its own admission, is in grave doubt. Also in question is where Enviva’s European Union and …

South Invercargill residents can breathe a little easier, with Southland Hospital’s massive boilers now fired by wood pellets instead of coal. The conversion took effect in September. The hospital’s two 4.5 megawatt boilers run 24 hours and 365 days a year, providing steam which circulates around the hospital site, providing heating and sterilisation of equipment. EECA [Energy Efficiency and Conservation …

FTI Consulting has given wood pellets maker Altus Renewables’ suitors until September 15 to prepare their indicative bids for the business, which went into receivership last week. Altus has production facilities close to forestry areas with access to port infrastructure. Its Tuan Facility has a 125,000 tonnes annual capacity and is running at 90,000 tonnes, according to the flyer. Prospective …

It’s out with the coal and in with the biofuel for steam tram no. 100, which will operate on a renewable energy source made from trees at MOTAT Live Day on August 20. Developed by Crown Research Institute, Scion, the biofuel will undergo its largest trial to date, which will see 250 kilograms of briquettes supplied to MOTAT to keep …

Andrew Cocking, Port Blakely’s South Island Regional Manager at last year’s Residues2Revenues event detailed the company’s progress and early innovation around extracting biofuel from their South Island forestry operations. Trials on binwood recovery started back in 2018 with one of their hauler crews. In-forest chipping followed with cartage, storage, drying and chipping on skid sites within their forests and contracts …

As anticipated, the turnout to the second Residues2Revenues 2023 was a standout for the industry. Around 250 delegates attended the wood residues event, principally forest owners and managers, harvesting and log cartage contractors, those looking at utilising surplus residues from wood processing and manufacturing operations and aggregators, who were extracting, transporting, processing, drying and selling ever-increasing volumes of woody biofuels that are …

Japan based Refine Holdings and NZ Bio Forestry have recently signed an MoU in Tokyo. This MoU outlines a joint research and commercial programme to develop a suite of biochemicals from Pinus radiata for the automotive, technology, EV battery, and solvent markets. NZ Bio Forestry CEO, Wayne Mulligan, says NZ Bio Forestry has invested five years in refining Pinus radiata …

A group of Canadian and French companies will build a $80 million plant in Quebec to turn forestry waste into biochar, a black substance which can store carbon for hundreds of years and improve soil quality at the same time. The facility in Port-Cartier — about 850 kilometres northeast of Montreal — will be completed next year with an initial …

Claimed to be the only machine in the world eliminating wood wastes on site to power battery operating equipment and machinery.

The NZ Government is delivering on its climate commitment to ban new coal boilers and to phase out by 2037, existing coal boilers, the Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. The National Policy Statement and National Environmental Standards for greenhouse gas emissions from industrial process heat gives councils the muscle to tackle emissions produced by industrial process …

The Biochar Network New Zealand’s campaign to increase the profile of biochar continues. A Carbon Rescue initiative stemming from the post-Gabrielle residue cleanup has helped facilitate the conversation on how to create value from biomass through the creation of biochar. Although public funding for the initiative is pending, a number of Network members all over the motu are demonstrating better …

The elimination of coal at a Washdyke (in the north of Timaru, south Canterbury, NZ) energy business will reduce CO2 emissions by 14,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 3115 cars off the road, the company says. Washdyke Energy Centre, on Meadows Rd, has transitioned to 100% sustainable biomass, with the Pioneer Energy-owned asset commissioned at the start …

The carbon emissions from long-haul flying are a threat to the sustainability of New Zealand international tourism. Air New Zealand and the Government are to invest more than NZ$2 million in two studies to consider the feasibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel in Aotearoa New Zealand. The airline will contribute around NZ$1.5m in the project, while the taxpayer will chip …

The NZ Government is making a start on a more sustainable forestry industry with investments into a bioenergy plant, research into biomass and better forestry practices, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare has announced. “The Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use recognised current forest harvest practices are not sustainable. In some parts of the country, like Tairāwhiti, there is an urgent need to …

A multinational company has been sentenced after a worker’s arm got caught in a bark-stripping machine which did not have the appropriate safeguards for New Zealand use. CFGC Forest Managers (NZ) Limited (CFGC) is a forest management and export company. Its parent company, China Forestry Group New Zealand Company Limited, exports logs from New Zealand to China. The worker was …

Worldwide trade of wood pellets remained practically unchanged year-on -year about 29 million tons in 2022. This year was the first time shipments failed to rise year-on -year since 2017, when wood pellets became a globally traded commodity. Despite the minimal global volume change, there were some noteworthy shifts in trade flows on a country-level basis in 2022. Asia, represented …

As part of the Residues2Revenues 2023 event being run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 25-26 July for local forest owners, harvesting and wood chipping contractors and bio-fuel aggregators, an international showcase of new wood chipping and grinding technologies is being showcased for event delegates. It’s designed to be practical with advice from global chipper and grinder suppliers on how to …

All coal boilers to be removed from NZ schools Thanks to a NZ$10million dollar investment, all remaining coal boilers in New Zealand schools will be replaced with renewable woody biomass or electric heating sources by 2025 reducing carbon emissions by around 35,400 tonnes over 10 years, Climate Change Minister James Shaw has announced. The move is part of the latest …

Foresters in Hawke’s Bay face losses of up to NZ$150 million in tree crops and infrastructure following Cyclone Gabrielle, as they work to support the clean-up of woody debris in the region. Hawkes Bay Forestry Group (HBFG) member companies have been using their equipment and expertise to support landowners and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) to remove and process woody …

Fonterra is continuing to progress its decarbonisation work with the announcement of another site transitioning from coal and the installation of a heat pump and solar thermal system. The Co-operative will convert its coal boilers at its Hautapu site to wood pellets and install a heat pump at its Palmerston North milk processing site that supplies the local market. Both …

Drax has announced that almost 50 years of power generation from coal at its North Yorkshire power station has come to an end. • Drax has announced that almost 50 years of power generation from coal at its North Yorkshire power station has come to an end.• Drax Power Station was once Western Europe’s largest coal-fired power station but has …

Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on New Zealand, bringing major concerns to the fore about climate change and forestry management. The news reports from February will stay long in the memory, particularly the huge volumes of slash that contributed to our worst floods this century. As managing slash becomes an urgent nationwide issue, one company has devised a …

EECA has a new fund which could be of assistance to those looking to make a start in the biomass business in New Zealand or increasing production of an existing business. EECAs role is to decarbonise New Zealand. One of the key strategies is to transition med/large commercial and industrial process heat users from fossil fuels towards electricity or biomass. …

Enviva Inc, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets ( www.envivabiomass.com) has welcomed the news that the European Union’s negotiations concluded with an agreement on the Renewable Energy Directive III (“REDIII” or the “Directive”) and is pleased to hear that woody biomass will continue to be recognized as a renewable energy source in the EU. Although the final text …

A NZ business that has increased the amount of wood pellets it can make by more than half, hopes more companies will switch to burning pellets instead of fossil fuels – helping put forestry waste to good use. Nelson-based company Azwood has opened a new pellet press at its Brightwater site, which it says has increased its wood fuel production …

It was eight years since the Forest Industry Engineering Association had run a wood residues programme aimed specifically at those supplying biofuels, the forest products industry. The wood residues event ran in July 2022. As evidenced by the turnout, the timing was spot on. A record number of over 350 delegates, both in person and remotely, were involved. Not only …

Bio-refinery start-up Futurity is launching a NZ$1.5 million commercialisation study into turning wood by-products into high-value chemicals. The study will involve working to commercialise technology developed in Europe to turn lignin waste from Oji’s pulp and paper mills into replacements for traditionally fossil fuel-based materials used in automotive, electronics and construction. Ministry for Primary Industries is putting in NZ$600,000 from …

An immediate solution to solve the issue of destructive forestry waste – or slash – is available, and implementing it must be accelerated, a forest research organisation says. During Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle, massive volumes of forest debris ended up blocking water channels, smashing into bridges and farm infrastructure and flowing over farmland in Tai Rāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. …

Genesis Energy has found its coal-burning unit in Waikato can also produce electricity when fed wood. The Huntly power station replaced planet-heating coal with wood in a trial to bring down the facility’s large carbon footprint. In a busy year, the plant can import more than a million tonnes of coal to feed the national grid. Owner Genesis Energy has …

The announcement that the NZ Government has dropped the Sustainable Biofuels Obligation Bill is not surprising as the Government has consistently looked at the opportunities for greenhouse gas emissions reduction with the wrong lens. New Zealand is rich in sources of biomass which can produce greater economic and wellbeing opportunities for NZ Inc, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The …

The idea of using biomass or non-recyclable materials to produce power has been around for a long time, but techniques for developing a consistent feedstock to produce a fuel that is economical compared to coal, resistant to moisture, and has no spontaneous combustion in storage has been a daunting challenge. Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, working with Michigan Technological University …

Genesis Energy and Fonterra want to use wood biomass to generate electricity and heat. Genesis interim chief executive Tracey Hickman said the companies signed an agreement to work together and explore the viability of biomass as a substitute for coal. The possibility of a domestic biomass supply chain would also be investigated, Hickman said. The companies had signed a biomass …

A new take on an old method to deal with forestry slash is set to help New Zealand logging crews more effectively manage skid sites and landings……with the potential to increase productivity. The locally developed Falcon Slash Grapple Rake brings fresh thinking to slash control in a typical Kiwi approach. The Falcon Slash Grapple Rake fits around two of the …

A Georgia plant turning wood residue into jet fuel is receiving a big chunk of new federal funding to boost production, in the hopes that its products can eventually lower the climate change impact of the airline industry and other sectors. The Department of Energy announced that it is awarding a US$80 million grant to AVAPCO LLC, a biofuel, biochemical …

Wood residues – the materials left over when trees are logged and processed – hold the potential to support resource-efficient energy access, revitalize rural economies and help mitigate climate change, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The role of wood residues in the transition to sustainable bioenergy, produced in collaboration …

Labor revokes Abbott government move which allowed energy from burning wood waste to be counted with solar and wind. Electricity generated by burning native forest wood waste in Australia will no longer be allowed to be classified as renewable energy under a regulatory change adopted by the Albanese government. The decision, which Labor had promised to consider after it was …

European Parliament plans to exclude some types of primary wood from the EU’s renewable energy goals is causing jitters among the industry, which points to bioenergy as an essential part of the EU’s energy security. Biomass currently makes up 60% of all European renewable energy, with the heating and cooling sector the largest end-user, according to EU statistics. Following a …

Mini factories that use residues from production forests, or horticultural, crop and natural fibres to create new wood products, biochemicals and biomaterials. New technology is making it possible to create mini manufacturing facilities that use a range of biomaterial, including forestry slash, to make wood-products, biofuels and chemicals. These mini factories will enable the transition away from fossil fuels, while …

A new biomass boiler, which uses by-product waste from the commercial forestry industry, has been commissioned at Danone’s dairy plant near Balclutha in South Otago, New Zealand. The largest biomass boiler in the country (BANZ comment: To set the record straight it is not the largest boiler – there are 10 other bigger boilers. It is also not the first …

Early expressions of interest to present at next year’s Residues2Revenues 2023 event are now been called for. This year saw record numbers of forestry, wood harvesting, timber products companies and wood residues extraction and handling specialists turn up in Rotorua, New Zealand. The venue, with conference, pre and post conference workshops and exhibitions sold out. With developments in biomass utilisation …

Humans have a long history of turning biomass – renewable organic material from plants and animals – into energy, mainly by burning wood. But as pressure mounts on global energy providers to slash dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy output from renewable sources, companies that can convert organic matter into energy look set to have a bright future. Asia …

The international trade of wood pellets has increased yearly for over ten years thanks to growing demand in Europe and Asia. Although shipments in the first half of 2022 were practically unchanged from the same period in 2021, an anticipated increase in demand in Europe in the second half of the year is likely to make 2022 another record year …

As much as 70 percent of European heating comes from natural gas and electricity, and with Russian deliveries drastically reduced, wood — already used by some 40 million people for heating — has become a sought-after commodity. Prices for wood pellets nearly doubled to 600 euros a ton in France, and there are signs of panic buying. Hungary has banned …

Drax Group (Drax) would be prepared to do a carbon analysis of wood imports for its biomass facilities amid claims from the BBC it is hacking down carbon rich forests in Canada. The power firm’s director of sustainability, Dr Alan Knight told the Environmental Audit Committee recently that the company “completely agreed” with the idea. He was “more than comfortable” …

FutureMetrics has published a new white paper explaining how reduced pellet supplies in Western Europe and the U.K. resulting from sanctions on Russia has produced a supply shock that has vastly increased prices. In the paper, FutureMetrics President William Strauss explains that supply shock occurs when a significant portion of a good or service is no longer available in the …

It looks like a dumpster fire in the forest. A new take on disposing of small trees and branches cut down during forest-thinning projects aims to turn the material into “biochar” that locks carbon into the ground and enhances dirt. It all depends on a massive “Carbonator,” an incinerator resembling an industrial garbage bin on tank tracks that can drive …

The New Zealand Government will undertake a NZ$2 million feasibility study to explore the development of hydrogen and bio-fuels at Tokoroa’s Kinleith Mill. Forestry Minister Stuart Nash says the partnership between the Government and Oji Fibre Solutions, which runs the mill, could also boost the development of sustainable wood products, create jobs and reduce emissions across the economy. Nash says: …

International design, engineering, and advisory company Aurecon has been appointed to work alongside Fonterra to provide design support, project management and construction management for implementation of their largest biomass boiler to date. As detailed in their Embracing Sustainability Strategy, Fonterra’s goal is to transition their nine remaining sites that still use coal to renewable energy by 2037, in line with …

Environmentalists have doubts, but John Keppler’s faith in the energy source is rewarded by European customers willing to pay top dollar. On a crisp North Carolina morning, an eastern pine forest is being clear cut in a precisely choreographed hydraulic ballet. Pincers grab 500-pound, 30-foot tree trunks, run them through trimmers and auto-cutters and then stack the nearly uniform logs …

More than 4 million tons of coal will be replaced with Aymium’s renewable carbon negative product, removing over 10 million tons of CO2. Aymium, a leading producer of renewable biocarbon products, announced that it has entered a long-term supply contract for its patented, coal replacement product with Hokuriku Electric Power Company and Nippon Steel Trading. The contract is the largest …

Biofuels – and a broader bioeconomy – are key parts of New Zealand’s recently released first emissions reduction plan, particularly for transport, forestry and a transition to a more circular use of resources. Work is moving fast, with a biofuel mandate for land transport to be introduced from April 2023 and a plan to transform the forestry industry currently under …

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday (14 September) in favour of a 45% target for renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix by 2030, paving the way for negotiations with the 27 member states to finalise the text before the end of the year. Russia’s war in Ukraine is “a war on our energy, a war on our economy, a …

In the United States (US), Enviva Inc., the world’s largest industrial wood pellet producer, and Alder Fuels, a cleantech developer have signed a contract for the long-term, large-scale supply of “sustainably sourced woody biomass” from Enviva to further commercialize the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The agreement would make Enviva an exclusive supplier of up to 750 000 tonnes …

A new partnership between the NZ Government and Oji Fibre Solutions could boost the development of sustainable wood products, hydrogen and bio-fuels at the Kinleith Mill near Tokoroa, creating jobs and reducing emissions across the economy Forestry Minister Stuart Nash announced on Thursday. “This partnership is one of the first tangible actions from the draft Forestry and Wood Processing Industry …

Diesel is impressive. Impressive in its abundance, energy density and liquid transportability. These unique features have made it ubiquitous to heavy transport and traction in the 20th and 21st centuries. This powerful substance now runs the agricultural machinery that feeds 7.5 billion people worldwide and overall, it does the work equivalent to having an extra 50 billion manual labourers on …

Wood fibre technology could be a game changer for New Zealand’s horticulture industry and help reduce carbon emissions Locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants are all generally grown in compost or potting mix containing peat. Peat, a highly sought-after ingredient, boosts production, retains nutrients and holds water but it is imported. Mining of it has been banned recently in the …

Tigercat officially has introduced the 6900 grinder, the first regular production offering in Tigercat’s material processing category. The 6900 is the first production grinder designed and built by Tigercat. The 6900 is a heavy-duty upswing grinder made for high throughput material reduction and mulch production. With Tigercat’s legendary build quality, the 6900 is designed for extreme duty and long life, …

The transition from fossil to solid biofuels for producing stationary energy is now well underway with Fonterra announcing its fourth conversion to using solid biofuel to replace coal. The economics and operational benefits of bioenergy in existing and new heat facilities is now well recognised by owners and operators, and wood fuel is becoming the renewable fuel of choice.  The …

Residues2Revenues 2022 saw an amazing turnout of well over 350 delegates, both in person and remotely involved in the conference, pre and post-event workshops and exhibitions. Not only were NZ companies in attendance but a strong contingent from across Australia travelled into New Zealand and live links were set up for a record number of delegates drawn from across Europe and North …

OneFortyOne’s New Zealand’s Kaituna Sawmill and Marusumi Whangarei Co. Ltd, have signed an agreement to export wood chip to Japan with the first vessel expected to depart from Port Marlborough (Picton) before the end of the year. Port Marlborough has been a critical partner in providing logistical support for the trial, including 4,000m2 (0.4 ha) in the port’s Shakespeare Bay …

Fonterra is taking another step towards its low carbon transition with its Waitoa site in the Waikato planning to install a 30-megawatt wood biomass boiler to replace a coal boiler. Together with Te Tumuaki o Te Kīngitanga and local iwi Ngāti Hauā, the Co-operative celebrated the turning of the first sod at Waitoa on Thursday. Work will begin on the …

A South Otago dairy industry plant hopes to lead the way in green energy, as it brought a biomass boiler online last week. Danone Nutricia NZ began “hot commissioning” for a new, NZ$30 million bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) biomass boiler at its Clydevale milk powder plant on Thursday, which will eventually provide up to 15.5MW of heat energy. The plant …

Polytechnik Biomass Energy, a global technology leader in biomass combustion, wood gasification and carbonisation systems has announced that they have a new majority shareholder and has restructured in order that they can continue to offer their full range of biomass boiler systems. The restructuring was finalised on 20 June 2022. In late January, Polytechnik which was in insolvency, announced that …

There is enough energy left over in forestry residues and other woody waste, such as from orchards, surplus pulp logs, and sawmill chip, to entirely replace the heat and energy demands of all New Zealand’s dairy factories, six times over.On the 26-27 July, as part of New Zealand’s Residues to Revenues 2022 event, just how much and where the wood …

The lack of electricity supply security because of thermal generation plant unavailability reinforces the importance of the need for an integrated Energy Strategy in New Zealand. Greater use of bioenergy and biofuels which are storable energy forms would ensure that electricity supply can be optimised says the Bioenergy Association. Brian Cox, Executive officer of the Bioenergy Association says that “the …

New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Plan (May 2022) sets out the pathway for how New Zealand will meet its first emissions budgets (2022-2035) and achieve long-term climate targets. To help meet this challenge, the Government announced expanded funding of around $650 million for the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund (GIDI). EECA recognises that private finance is a crucial part of …

With Residues2Revenues 2022 running next month, we are highlighting a number of key topics that will be discussed in-depth at the event. Back in 2021, Alex Bruce from Pentarch Technical Services presented an interesting webinar on solid biofuels testing within NZ. This was one of a number of webinars hosted by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand. We thank both …

From 10 July, the Russian wood pellet exports to Europe, the main market for Russian companies, will be completely stopped. From this date, EU sanctions will come into effect, limiting the supply of wood products from Russia and Belarus. According to Lesprom Analytics, in 2021 the European Union accounted for 80% of Russian wood pellet exports, supplies amounted to 1.95 …

As part of the upcoming Residues to Revenues 2022 event, large scale industrial heat or energy users Fonterra, Danone and the Canterbury District Health board will be outlining their recent major plant conversions to wood residues. Probably more importantly for those supplying or co-ordinating the harvesting and delivery of residues from local forestry or wood processing operations, they’ll be outlining …

Energy is the double-edged sword at the root of the climate crisis. Cheap energy has improved lives and underpinned massive economic growth. But because most of it comes from burning hydrocarbon fuels, we’re now left with a legacy of high atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and an emissions-intensive economy. But what if we could flip the energy-emissions relationship on its head? …

Forest-based biofuels are occupying an increasingly important role in energy supply. Conversions of large sale industrial heat plants to renewables, including biomass is ensuring that local forest owners and wood harvesting operations are starting to sit up and really take notice. The market and demand are already there. It’s increasing and the economics are starting to stack up. Aggregating bio-fuel …

Forest-based biofuels are occupying an increasingly important role in energy supply. Conversions of large sale industrial heat plants to renewables, including biomass is ensuring that local forest owners and wood harvesting operations are starting to sit up and really take notice. The market and demand are already there. It’s increasing and the economics are starting to stack up.   Aggregating bio-fuel …

With the increased interest in bioenergy and biofuels for replacing fossil fuels a focus of sector activities is now on showing potential users where the biomass fuel they need could come from. There is no doubt that there can be adequate biomass to meet demand. However, we have to undertake some work to ensure that the right type of biomass, …

Thanks to a NZ$10-million dollar investment, all remaining coal boilers in New Zealand schools will be replaced with renewable woody biomass or electric heating sources by 2025 reducing carbon emissions by around 35,400 tonnes over 10 years, Climate Change Minister James Shaw announced. The move is part of the latest allocation from the Government’s NZ$220 million State Sector Decarbonisation Fund …

The Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) project has received an AU$48.2 million grant through the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). The Hon Darren Chester MP, Member for Gippsland confirmed the grant at Opal Australian Paper’s Maryvale Mill, where the EfW facility will be co-located. The Maryvale EfW facility will reduce the site’s reliance on gas and electricity and assist …

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, and Veolia recently signed a long-term partnership agreement on the refining of crude methanol generated in pulp production at the Äänekoski bioproduct mill into commercial biomethanol. As part of this cooperation, Veolia will build a crude methanol refinery in connection with Metsä Fibre’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The refinery, owned and operated by Veolia, will …

A new study has explained how fuel can be produced from renewable sources such as waste wood and straw. The findings of the research were published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Energy Research’ in collaboration with the researchers at Straubing Campus for Biotechnology and Sustainability of the Technical in Munich (TUM) and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) in Finland. The study …

Ravensdown has announced that it has achieved NZ Government co-funding to accompany the co-operative’s investment to install a biomass combustor at its Dipton lime quarry. Locally supplied wood fuel will replace coal in the lime-drying process – an important part of preparing the naturally occurring soil conditioner for use by Southland farmers and growers. The co-operative’s commitment is being matched …

BIOCARBON, a manufacturer based in Sydney, has found a viable solution to decarbonise the steel industry via its manufacture of a 100 per cent renewable carbon material that can directly replace fossil carbon in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking. BIOCARBON’s new sustainable carbon neutral product will enable steelmakers to decrease their carbon footprint without incurring large capital costs for modifying …

A partnership between Pioneer Energy and Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd in the lower South Island of New Zealand has been formed to meet the demands of the biomass market to supply high quality product to the end users, with both organisations bringing together their respective wood fuel supply businesses. Niagara’s wealth of experience in forestry, procurement, processing and transport coupled …

The New Zealand Government’s biofuel mandate will require Marsden Point’s big oil tanks and Auckland pipeline – and that means it will be more efficient to go straight to high-tech second-generation biofuels. New Zealand’s only refinery stopped processing crude oil – and now its owner Channel Infrastructure confirms it won’t run first-generation biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel down its pipe …

A prototype tractor which can run on solid biofuel is being developed for the primary industries by AgLoco®, a start-up company based in Christchurch, New Zealand.AgLoco® is developing advanced steam engines which burn dry woodchip to replace diesel tractors on farms and diesel trucks for hauling heavy loads.The company is currently building its first fully functional 150hp tractor, having already …

A report released this week by the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand (SAFAANZ) titled Bridging the price gap for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, has identified, amongst a number of other recommendations, the creation of a Jet Council as an immediate priority action for Government to accelerate the significant opportunity presented by the development of a domestic Sustainable …

Sieving of chipped forest fuels has recently been suggested as a way to reduce dry matter losses during storage. Sieving provides a more homogeneous acceptable material with better storage properties, which reduces the risk of energy and dry matter losses and spontaneous ignition. Screened chips can be priced higher due to better quality, and both acceptable and reject fractions are …

A sustainable materials company plans to spend at least US$750 million to build a biomass manufacturing facility in Louisiana that will turn wood residue into a chemical used in plastic. Origin Materials, headquartered in West Sacramento, California, said the project is expected to create 200 new jobs. The plant will use sustainable wood residue to produce plant-based polyethylene terephthalate, or …

Genesis Energy believes converting part of the Huntly power station to run on biofuel could be economic, but it will need a source of the specialist wood fuel needed to be created in New Zealand, which the government could assist in setting up. Genesis chief executive Marc England said preliminary work showed converting two of the Rankine units at the …

Biofuels can reduce transport emissions and may reduce costs in the heavy vehicle industry reports Foresion in their latest study into Supply Chains for Future Road Transport Fuels in Australia. In some Australian states, electric vehicles still produce only slightly less carbon emissions than a regular gasoline powered vehicle because of coal-fired electricity grids. Increasing the biofuel content in regular …

South East Pine Sales in South Australia, has installed a new biomass boiler at its Wandilo facility, which will generate steam for their timber drying kilns and increase the efficiency of drying timber. SE Pine Sales received an AU$88,000 grant issued by PIRSA towards the project, as part of the AU$12m State Government’s Regional Growth Fund. The boiler will speed …

Norske Skog has entered into an agreement with Talley’s Group, a New Zealand based dairy, fishing, produce and food company, to sell the Nature’s Flame pellets company for NZD 47.8 million. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2022. “Nature’s Flame is a company producing high quality and sustainable energy pellets from wood residues, and thus …

In the global race to curb climate change and reduce carbon emissions, hydrogen is considered a serious contender to replace fossil fuels. Although hydrogen ‘burns’ cleanly, with only water as a by-product, the current way of making hydrogen a reliable fuel alternative is energy- and carbon-intensive. Whether water is split with electricity or hydrogen is released from fossil fuels or …

Located near Bakersfield, Calif., the facility aims to remove carbon from the air by diverting wood waste from open-air burn and landfills and converting it into carbon-negative hydrogen for transportation Climatetech innovator Mote has announced it is establishing its first facility to convert wood waste into hydrogen fuel while capturing, utilizing, and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from its …

The NZ Government will introduce a Sustainable Biofuels Mandate to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced on Wednesday. “Biofuels offer a practical, low-emissions solution to reduce New Zealand’s transport sector emissions and will be scaled up over time resulting in greater emissions reductions from transport fuels,” Megan Woods said. From …

Sweetman Renewables expansion plans are well underway as its significance in the green energy sector grows through lucrative contracts and assets. Emerging renewables player Sweetman Renewables will expand its three business divisions after closing multiple deals, putting the company on centre stage of the green energy revolution. After a successful pre-IPO raising prior to its planned ASX listing, the New …

Forest-based biofuels are occupying an increasingly important role in New Zealand’s energy supply. Conversions of large sale industrial heat plants to renewables, including biomass is ensuring that local forest owners and wood harvesting operations are starting to sit up and take notice. The market and demand are already there, it’s increasing and the economics are really starting to stack up. …

The increasing interest in using biomass instead of fossil fuels has finally woken up the New Zealand forestry and agricultural sectors says the Bioenergy Association in its recent newsletter. Brian Cox, executive officer of the associations says “the opportunities for additional revenue from residuals as a fuel for stationary heat, as a feedstock for producing renewable gases, and as a …

Biomass storage is an essential part of the bioenergy supply chain. Without it, there would not be a way to maintain a continuous supply of feedstock for bioenergy systems. During storage, however, natural biological, chemical and physical processes occur, resulting in: dry-matter loss, off-gassing and self-heating. The Canadian Wood Fibre Centre and collaborators have focused on finding solutions to mitigate …

Biomass is the clear favourite for industrial process heat users in the South Island of New Zealand looking to decarbonise their operations, according to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. Initial EECA data indicates that 90 per cent of high-temperature boiler operators in Canterbury and Southland prefer biomass to electrification because of cost considerations. Electrode boilers have much higher capital …

Arbios Biotech, a joint venture of Canadian Forest Products Ltd. and Licella Holdings Ltd, has announced their decision to proceed with the development of a pioneering biomass to low carbon biofuel plant in Prince George, British Columbia. The plant will use innovative, first-of-a-kind technology to convert sawmill residues, primarily bark, into high value renewable biocrude which can be further processed …

For New Zealand and Australia, it’s now been over eight years since the Forest Industry Engineering Association has run a wood residues programme aimed specifically at the forest products industry. Residues to Revenues 2022 will run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 9-10 March 2022. It will also be available to companies from outside the country through live or virtual streaming of …

Over half of New Zealand’s process heat demand is met by burning fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas, and in 2016 burning fossil fuels to supply process heat emitted 8.3 million tonnes of CO2e or about 28% of New Zealand’s overall energy emissions.Some of these emissions can be reduced by redesigning the underlying processes, but decarbonising the remaining …

Fonterra says it has reduced its greehouse gas emissions from coal by 11 per cent in a year, primarily due to the conversation of its Te Awamutu site to using renewable wood pellets. The reduction was reported as part of its yearly sustainability scorecard, which shows progress towards environmental and human resources targets. The 11 per cent reduction in emissions …

With the increased interest in transitioning heat boilers from using fossil fuels to wood fuel the Bioenergy Association of NZ has been receiving a significant increase in enquiries. To help answer questions about technology, fuel availability and consenting, the Association has expanded the Wood Energy Knowledge Centre which is hosted on the UsewoodfuelNZ portal www.usewoodfuel.org.nz. This website is a portal …

Emerging renewables energy business, Sweetman Renewables Limited, has inked a lucrative, multi-million dollar joint venture agreement with CAC-H2 Private Limited of Singapore to establish a hydrogen production centre of excellence in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. The AUS$15 million deal aims to establish Australia’s first wood fed hydrogen production plant, and the country’s largest green bio-hydrogen production eco-hub. CAC-H2 …

Mountains of wood waste could be broken down into hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas to reduce fossil fuel consumption, University of Canterbury researchers say. Chemical engineers Shusheng Pang and Alex Yip are developing a novel way to make climate-friendly hydrogen, which is being touted as a replacement for natural gas. Today, green hydrogen is made using electricity, though about 20 …

Attempts are being made to shift the focus of energy production globally more and more towards renewable energy sources. In Finland, the use of renewable energy increased by 1 % in 2019 compared to 2018, and it covered 38 % of total energy consumption. The use of wood fuels continued to grow and their use in 2019 reached a record …

Nelson-based company biomass fuel company Azwood Energy is building a production facility near Milton to service a burgeoning biomass fuel industry. Azwood Energy general manager Brook Brewerton confirmed that one of its clients will be Danone Nutricia New Zealand, near Clydevale, which is building a biomass boiler. Progress on the new plant was fairly advanced, he said. A Danone spokesman …

Discussions are going on about the EU-Commission’s new forest strategy. In the discussions, sawn timber is pointed out as a winner and bioenergy from the forest as a looser. Europe – the largest market for wood pellets The European market accounts for 75 % of the World’s consumption of wood pellets. WRI predicts a strong growth of this market, at …

A major political and environmental dispute has been heating up as the forestry industry and governments promote forest biomass — cutting trees, turning them into wood pellets, and burning them to make electricity. They claim the science shows biomass to be sustainable, with the energy produced resulting in zero emissions. Forest advocates and many researchers sit squarely on the other …

The issue of carbon neutrality for wood-based bioenergy just won’t go away. In recent months, Politico, The New York Times, and CNN all have run high-level stories that take the Europeans to task for using wood pellets from the U.S. South because of concerns that wood-based biomass is not carbon neutral. The problem with all these stories is creating biomass …

The Helsinki-based forest industry company Stora Enso doubled its business result in April-June compared to the same period last year, said the company in a recent press release. The operational earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of Stora Enso in the second quarter (Q2) was 364 million euros (429.5 million U.S. dollars), compared with 178 million euros in the same …

As Minister for Energy and Resources Hon Dr Megan Woods officially opened Fonterra’s wood pellet boiler at its Te Awamutu plant, the Co-operative announced details for its next site to exit coal – Stirling cheese plant in Otago. Otago’s ‘fantastic little cheese plant’, will be coal free and using wood biomass to fire the site by August next year. This …

UK-headed Velocys plc, a developer of advanced biofuels gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology has announced that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from woody biomass residue feedstock using the company’s proprietary technology has been used in a commercial flight by Japan Airlines Co Ltd (JAL). The flight, JL 515 from Tokyo to Sapporo, was completed on June 17, 2021, and is the first …

CEAC warns that use of trucks with biodiesel will cause far more damage to environment than using electric trucks, overseas studies have found that production of biofuels for use in diesel truck engines will speed up the climate change, not slow it down as is depicted here from University of Waikato Troy Baisden, Professor (Environmental Sciences), University of Waikato. Growing, …

Residues to Revenues 2022 is a two day conference and exhibitions planned for NZ forest owners, sawmills and wood manufacturing operations who are looking at ways to better understanding the emerging bio-energy markets. It will enable the industry to better understand the real value of energy tied up in wood fibre – or residues – and the opportunities open to …

Mark 9-10 March 2022 in your calendar. Residues to Revenues 2022 is returning due to an opportunity the New Zealand industry cannot miss. The growing demand for alternatives to fossil fuels has the potential to transform the forestry sector into a provider of biofuels, bioenergy and a range of renewable bioproducts alongside more traditional wood products. Pressure is being bought …