Pellet News Mississippi plant to produce pellets, liquid biofuels BlueFire Renewables Inc. has announced plans to reconfigure its proposed Fulton, Miss., cellulosic biofuel plant to include wood pellet production. The new design includes a 9 MMgy cellulosic ethanol plant along with 400,000 tons of annual pellet production capacity. The company originally planned to construct a 19 MMgy cellulosic ethanol biorefinery. "This restructure provides a more robust economic model for the Fulton facility with a significant increase in projected revenues. It has become apparent in our attempts to obtain financing for the project that the right synergies and revenue model would be needed to build this first-of-a-kind facility," said Arnold Klann, president and CEO of BlueFire. "The optimum use of biomass in the integrated facility strikes a much better balance of revenue with costs and a better utilization of resources. The more profitable use of capital and the enhanced security of projected revenue streams more closely match what the banks have been requiring in the very conservative and restricted credit markets.”
IEA Task 40: US tops global pellet capacity The International Energy Agency’s BioEnergy Task 40 has released a report that takes a global overview of biomass used in industrial and transport sectors. The report, titled “Large Industrial Users of Energy Biomass,” notes trade volumes of wood pellets have been growing recently. According to the report, global wood pellet production was estimated at 18.3 million metric tons in 2011, with global production capacity estimated to be approximately 35 million metric tons. According to those estimates, only 52
Top pellet production nations in 2011 U.S. Canada Germany Russia Sweden Austria Portugal Latvia France
Volume (million metric tons) 4.7 1.75 1.741 1.59 1.288 0.94 0.65 0.633 0.55
C AT C H T H E
MARKET SHARE YO U ’ V E B E E N M I SS I N G
Versati wood and biomass briquettes are quickly becoming Versatile a go g go-to -to biofuel for consumers all over the U.S. They are clean, clea eaan, af affordable, and can be used in any wood-burning device from from fr m fireplaces fireplace and stoves to fire pits. Briquettes will open doors to new fi markets and d growth oppo opportunities for your business, and because they can be made from materials you already process (and then some), it’s simple to get started. Plus, with substantial savings on energy, maintenance, and labor, briquettes are cheaper to make per ton than pellets! What are you waiting for? For more information call 440-779-2747 or visit www.ruf-briquetter.com and catch the market share you’ve been missing! *Source: Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association – based on appliance shipments from 1998-2011.
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percent of capacity was in use in 2011. Most pellet production is located in North America and Europe. The report names the U.S., Canada, Germany, Russia and Sweden as the largest pellet producing countries in 2011. Two of the world’s largest pellet produces, Georgia Biomass and Green Circle, are located in the U.S. The largest pellet producers, in the world, Vyborgskay Cellose, is located in Russia. Norway-based Biowood and Canadabased Pinnacle Pellet, round out the five largest pellet producing companies in 2011.
Share of global production 26% 10% 10% 9% 7% 5% 4% 3% 3%
The Total U.S. Wood-Burning Appliance Market (including fireplaces, freestanding stoves, and inserts)
13% Market Share Pellet Appliances*
87% Market Share Briquette-Friendly Appliances*