The industry is in a bit of limbo right now, from waiting on finalized renewable volume obligations to the budget bill reconciliations, both of which have considerable implications across the different bioenergy industry sectors, from sustainable aviation fuel to renewable natural gas to biomass power. As for the latest on the budget bill, the Senate released its version of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” on June 17, and as of June 30, there had not yet been a vote. The bill will then need to go through a House and Senate resolution, and although it’s unclear how long that may take, President Trump has told Congress not to go on Independence Day vacation until a deal is made. That will all be in the review mirror by the time this issue hits desks, but for now, we wait.Regardless of all the uncertainty, there are plenty of positives to point to as of late. For example, the RNG industry just hit 500 operational facilities. In our page-24 feature, “Rallying for RNG,” junior staff writer Caitlin Scheresky covers the RNG Coalition’s inaugural RNG Media Day, where the industry’s momentum, driving forces and critical policy pieces were discussed. RNG Coalition Executive Director Johannes Escudero points out that the industry had grown from 31 facilities in 2011 to 505 operational facilities 14 years later, a growth increase upward of 1,500%. Potential for continued growth is vast, with estimates for new project sites being upward of 20,000.On that same note of bright spots, our page-20 feature, “Locked in on the Keystone State,” by associate editor Katie Schroeder, dives into the many positive impacts generated by Pennsylvania’s wood pellet industry and why modern wood heat appeals to so many consumers there. For example, purchased residue alone—which totals around 500,000 tons a year—equates to an estimated $20 million annual spend by wood pellet producers.Our final feature, “Powering AI” on page 14, digs into the massive energy demands required of data centers and the rise of artificial intelligence. In the story, Scheresky goes into detail regarding the origins of AI, how it works, and its projected power demands as its use and applications expand. We all know that bioenergy is renewable and baseload, so it makes so much sense for our industry to find a place in this build-out. While it’s still early, Scheresky provides some great examples of bioenergy already stepping in, and this includes our cover photo, which illustrates Neste’s partnership with data center solution provider Verne to supply Neste MY Renewable Diesel to power backup generators.&nbsp;When the next issue of Biomass Magazine is printed, pending policy will be finalized, and we’ll be ready to report on it all. In the meantime, we remain optimistic. Be sure to watch our daily coverage on biomassmagazine.com and our social media pages to stay in the know. &nbsp;Author: Anna Simet&nbsp; Director of Content &amp; Senior Editor&nbsp; asimet@bbiinternational.com

2025-07-08 - Pointing to the Positives (Biomass Magazine)

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Pointing to the Positives

As torrefaction and pyrolysis technologies move into mainstream adoption, they’re redefining what’s possible in the renewable energy and fossil carbon replacement worldwide economies. Commercial success in these fields requires more than just creative science; it also demands industrial-grade execution. That’s where IAC delivers. As a vertically integrated engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor and original equipment manufacturer, IAC builds full-cycle, future-ready systems for biomass, biochar, biocarbon and bioenergy production—with a focus on high-volume throughput, emissions compliance, and operational durability and reliability.EPC Execution From the Ground Up&nbsp; Founded in 1987, IAC is a trusted EPC partner for renewable energy producers across North America. Through its self-perform subsidiary Adelphi Construction LC, IAC manages every phase of project delivery—from permitting support and site prep to new plant erection and startup. This eliminates coordination gaps, reduces lead times, and ensures consistent quality across disciplines.&nbsp;IAC’s turnkey approach is especially powerful for greenfield biomass and biochar facilities. Whether converting woody biomass into high-density fuel or scaling up biochar operations for carbon credit markets, IAC provides engineered plant layouts, drying and conveying systems, automated controls, bulk storage and smart automation—all under one roof.OEM Systems for Biomass Product or Bioenergy Production&nbsp; At the core of any biomass drying or pyrolysis process is thermal processing. IAC’s direct-fired and indirectly heated dryers and pyrolysis reactors are engineered to meet the nuanced demands of feedstock like agricultural waste, forest residues and recycled wood. Coupled with IAC’s advanced emissions technologies—including M-Pulse baghouses, dry sorbent injection and Smart Plant IoT controls—operators gain the process integrity required for regulatory compliance and performance guarantees.Integrated Solutions&nbsp;&nbsp; Conversion of biomass into products including biochar, biocarbon or bioenergy creates end-to-end material processing challenges. IAC delivers pneumatic and mechanical conveying systems, NFPA-compliant dust collection, bulk material storage and loadout solutions designed for continuous, contamination-free operation. These systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly with upstream and downstream processes, reducing manual handling and maximizing uptime.From modular upgrades to full-scale plant design, IAC offers a deep bench of engineering talent, a U.S.-based fabrication footprint, and one of the most experienced field service teams in the industry.One Partner. Every Process.&nbsp; Whether you’re building a next-generation biochar facility or expanding a biomass processing line, IAC brings integrated capabilities to make innovation scalable. With thousands of successful projects across numerous industries and decades of expertise, IAC is the partner of choice for companies looking to lead in carbon-negative production, renewable fuels and beyond.Explore full turnkey biomass and pyrolysis solutions at iac-intl.com. &nbsp;

2025-07-17 - SPOTLIGHT IAC | Engineering the Carbon-Negative Future: IAC’s Role in Building Biomass and Bioenergy Facilities (Biomass Magazine)

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SPOTLIGHT IAC | Engineering the Carbon-Negative Future: IAC’s Role in Building Biomass and Bioenergy Facilities

In 2024, the biomass industry saw some notable movement. Four facilities shifted from proposed to under construction, narrowing the proposed list down to just two: McArthur Energy and Tubit Enterprise, both small-scale (3 MW) and in California. Separately, four facilities currently under construction are expected to be operational by the end of 2025, totaling 32 MW. Adding to the momentum, four previously idled facilities returned to operation, bringing 92 MW back onto the grid. This year also brought the permanent closure of six facilities (four biomass plants and two waste-to-energy plants), with most citing a lack of financial viability as the driving factor. Despite the shifts, the industry continues to hold strong. The total capacity of wood waste-to-energy facilities across the U.S. stands at 3,090 MW, while waste-to-power facilities contribute an additional 2,323.5 MW.&nbsp;The following are a selection of plant updates derived from Biomass Magazine’s upcoming 2026 U.S. Biomass Power &amp; Waste-to-Energy Map.Biomass to Power&nbsp; Blue Mountain Electric. In Wilseyville, California, this project has been in a state of proposal since 2022. The goal is to develop a 3-MW facility that converts local biomass into syngas and biochar. Due to funding delays, BME has requested to extend its 15% qualified property purchase requirement timeframe several times, the most recent of which was approved by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority in April. The project also had a change in ownership from Calveras Healthy Impacts Products Solutions to Phoenix Energy.&nbsp;Camptonville Biomass Plant. In northeastern Yuba County, California, this project is now under construction. The 5-MW plant will be fueled by forest thinnings and is expected to be operational in 2026.Eagle Valley Clean Energy. As of April 2024, this facility has closed after not being able to remain financially viable to support operations. Parent company Greenbacker Capital has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.Fernandina Biomass Plant. Parent company Rayonier Advanced Materials proposed a bioethanol conversion at this Fernandina Beach, Florida, facility. The city of Fernandina Beach rejected the proposal due to concerns with public health. As of April 16, an ongoing legal battle between the two ensues. RYAM believes the city didn’t take the proper procedure in evaluating the plant, whereas the city stands firm in its decision to reject this planned proposal.&nbsp;Hat Creek Bioenergy. The 3-MW plant in McArthur, California, opened in May 2025. Fueled by wood waste, it’s also producing biochar as a coproduct.&nbsp;North Fork Lumber Co. This 2-MW facility in Korbel, California, has moved from proposed to under construction, with plans to be operational by 2026.Honua Ola Bioenergy. &nbsp;Located in Pepe’ekeo, Hawaii, Honua filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric in May 2025, claiming it has created a monopoly that resulted in the plant’s inability to operate. &nbsp;The facility has been idle since 2018. After being retrofitted from a former coal-fired plant, this facility has never entered commercial operation.Cox Waste to Energy. Cox Interior successfully upgraded one of two biomass boilers at its 5-MW Campbellsville, Kentucky, cogeneration plant while remaining operational through construction.ReGenerate Stratton and ReGenerate Livermore Falls. Formerly ReEnergy facilities in Maine, the two plants received a grant in 2023 to fund equipment to produce biochar. As of February 2024, nearly 8,000 tons are produced annually from both facilities.&nbsp;Cadillac Renewable Energy. Utility Consumers Energy put in a bid to end its power purchase with Cadillac Energy in May of 2024, but the Michigan Public Service Commission rejected the proposal, stating that ending the agreement early would pose potential risk to the state’s capacity needs. The 40-MW facility continues to operate.Genesee Power Station. In partnership with parent company NorthStar Clean Energy, the 40-MW biomass processing facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, developed a new AI system to help improve the biomass supply chain. This program is focused on waste reduction through image recognition with intent to process wood waste.TES Filer City Station. A $300 million investment from Tondu Corporation and NorthStar Clean Energy will enable the plant to begin capturing CO2. Currently running on a mix of coal, wood waste and tire-derived fuel, the facility was on track to retire in 2025; rather than decommissioning, the project has extended its life a little longer.Burgess BioPower. In February 2024, the plant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It ended its power purchase agreement with utility Eversource, yet has continued operating throughout the process. As of early 2025, the facility was still producing power, sourcing around 800,000 tons of wood annually and working through a reorganization plan to get things back on track.Ryegate Biomass Power Plant. The 20-MW East Ryegate, Vermont, plant is currently under construction after receiving a $1 million USDA grant. This funding is being used to install a waste heat recovery system that will expand the facility’s drying operations, enabling the production of pellets and biochar.Waste to Energy&nbsp; Arnold O. Chantland Resource Recovery Plant. Within the next three years, the city of Ames, Iowa, plans to phase out this facility and build a new resource recovery system where it will focus on sorting and composting waste to help landfill diversion. With funding including a grant of $50,000, the facility will prioritize recycling and composting over incineration.&nbsp;Ecomaine. This Portland, Maine, facility is planning to spend $25 million on a recycling center upgrade to expand its landfill space, as well as its technology to better accommodate recent changes in material handling.&nbsp;Hennepin Energy Recovery Center. &nbsp;On October 31, 2024, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a resolution to have the 40-MW facility shut down by 2027. Frey stated that this facility did not align with Minnesota’s plan to achieve zero waste by 2032.&nbsp;Kent County Waste to Energy. As an initiative to find a better way to manage waste, Kent County is planning to build a sustainable business park next to the South Kent Landfill in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The infrastructure design phase is expected to be complete this year, with plans to begin construction in 2026. &nbsp;McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy Plant. As of June 2024, the 22-MW facility wrapped up an upgrade project. The city of Tampa invested more than $100 million to get the facility up and running again.&nbsp;Reworld Pasco. The 30-MW Spring Hill, Florida, facility is currently under expansion, with its expected restart date in 2026.&nbsp;Wheelabrator South Broward. Previously owned by WIN Waste Innovations, the plant is now owned by Brazilian waste and recycling company FCC Environmental Services. FCC owns 12 waste-to-energy facilities around the world. In April, FCC was also awarded a contract to operate the South Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station in Minneapolis, increasing its presence in North America.Spokane Waste to Energy. The 22-MW Spokane, Washington, plant is considering a $650,000 carbon capture study from CarbonQuest to determine whether carbon capture technology would be a feasible solution to lower emissions.Taylor Biomass Energy. According to CEO James Taylor Jr., the 24-MW facility has moved from its long-proposed state to under construction. The biomass gasification plant is being built on 95 acres in Orange County, New York, and will process MSW and wood waste. Author: Chloe Piekkola&nbsp; Map Data &amp; Content Coordinator, Biomass Magazine&nbsp;&nbsp; chloe.piekkola@bbiinternational.com

2025-07-08 - Industry Update: Biomass Power & Waste-to-Energy (Biomass Magazine)

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Industry Update: Biomass Power & Waste-to-Energy

2025-07-08 - Powering AI (Biomass Magazine)

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As the demand for artificial intelligence grows, so does the need for sustainable power sources to operate data centers. Can bioenergy help answer the call?

Powering AI

It doesn’t take much time living in Pennsylvania to realize you aren’t going to stop the trees from growing.That’s according to Frank Kvietok, senior director of innovation with wood pellet manufacturer Lignetics Group Inc., the state and nation’s largest producer of wood pellets that operates three of the largest mills in Pennsylvania. The state lives up to its name, as the Latin word “sylva,” translates to forest, and over 60% of Pennsylvania (16.6 million acres) is covered by them, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. The majority of these forestlands (12 million acres) are privately owned by approximately 750,000 landowners, while the remaining 5 million acres are held publicly by government entities.&nbsp;These forestlands have been the lifeblood of Pennsylvania’s robust wood products industry that began well over two centuries ago. It has not only shaped its forestry-immersed culture, but makes an incredible economic impact, generating value to landowners, providing domestic and international lumber and wood products, and resulting in nearly 70,000 jobs that range from foresters to truck drivers to sawmill workers to pellet manufacturers, employment opportunities that are particularly crucial to rural communities.As for wood pellet production specifically, the state’s lumber industry supplies residuals to a total of 10 facilities across the state with production capacities ranging from 1,800 metric tons (mt) of pellets up to 125,000 mt.Packing a Punch&nbsp; With a total annual production capacity of 358,200 mt of finished product worth $75.3 million, the fuel pellet industry utilizes over 500,000 tons of residue per year, purchased for an estimated $20 million.Bruce Lisle, founder of Pennsylvania pellet plant Energex American, now works on strategic initiatives for Lignetics. With decades of experience, Lisle offers insight into the interplay between the state’s extensive wood products industry and the pellet industry. “We are the place people go to get rid of wood residues,” Lisle says. “And not just my plant, but all the rest of them. They’re part of the infrastructure. They are who the sawmillers know they can depend on to get rid of their [waste fiber]. In many cases, we cut travel costs. We have had guys who were driving by our plant and going 200 miles to deliver stuff to another market, but now, they only have to drive 25 miles.”Kvietok highlights the symbiotic relationship between the two industries, explaining that without pellet plants, sawmills would run out of space, forcing them to shut down. This role is so crucial that pellet mills were deemed an essential industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the service they provide. Lignetics Group owns and operates 29 facilities across the U.S. and Canada that process wood waste, with 27 of those producing heating pellets.&nbsp;Kvietok emphasizes that the pellet industry does more than simply dispose of residuals, and instead “upcycles” the material into valuable heating fuel, along with products in the cooking, pet and industrial categories. “Without the pellet industry, for most wood products producers, those residues were a negative on their balance sheet, because they needed to pay someone to dispose of it,” he says.The importance of the pellet industry to the state’s economy is well understood by its congressional representative, according to Tim Portz, executive director of Pellet Fuels Institute. “Representative GT Thompson (PA-15) is as well versed in the value proposition of wood pellets as anyone in Congress,” Portz says. “At our last fly-in, he echoed all of our points and urged us to go further with regard to the carbon implications of wood pellets as a heating fuel.”Pennsylvanian Pellets&nbsp;&nbsp; Some pellet mills in the state work independently, gathering fiber from nearby wood products facilities, while others are colocated with a sawmill or wood products facility.&nbsp;Lignetics owns three pellet facilities in the state, all of which are standalone operations. PA Pellets, located in Ulysses, produces 37,200 mt of pellets. Started up in 2000 by Lisle and purchased by Lignetics in 2020, Energex American, located in Mifflintown, produces 125,000 mt of pellets. Lignetics of New England-Allegheny, located in Youngsville, produces 71,000 mt of pellets.&nbsp;Greene Team Pellet Fuel Company, located in Carmichaels, is also a standalone facility and produces 50,000 mt of pellets. Michael Galis, chief financial officer with Greene Team, explains that the pellet industry plays a role in helping the wood products industry become slightly more profitable than it would be otherwise because the pellet industry buys the residuals. “I can say with confidence that 100% of the wood fiber we purchase is not cut down in the forest with the sole intent of making wood pellets out of it,” he says. “It is all a byproduct of other industries.” &nbsp;The facilities tied to wood product manufacturers include Barefoot Pellet Co., located in Troy, which produces 70,000 mt of pellets; and C&amp;C Smith Lumber Company Pellet Plant in Summerhill, which produces 22,700 mt of pellets. Pennwood Products in East Berlin produces around 9,000 mt of pellets using residuals from hardwood flooring and molding production.The remaining facilities include the state’s smallest producer, Ironstone Mills, located in Leola, (2,000 mt); Pellheat Inc. in Glen Hope (5,000 mt); and Bio-Diversity in Sellingsville, which makes a wooden Envi Block and Tru-Wood premium wood pellets.Heating Consumers&nbsp;&nbsp; Homeowners in the Northeast often seek alternative heating options, with natural gas and heating oil being the leading sources overall. A strong heating market, Pennsylvania has plenty of heating days per year, with the season stretching from mid-September into May. The rural areas of the state lack natural gas infrastructure, which would otherwise be a key source of cheap heat, Lisle explains. Often, pellets are a great option and are a more convenient source of heat compared to logs for wood stoves—for example, older generations who don’t want to split wood find them easier to use. &nbsp;Jim Verbeke, vice president of sales for Hearth and Home Technologies’ stove business unit, explains that pellet stoves make up the biggest share of this unit, with roughly 20 different stoves and inserts available for purchase. Hearth and Home Technologies’ domestic production facility for stoves is located in Halifax, Pennsylvania. “We continue to produce and manufacture out of Halifax and—I would say just in general the Northeast, but specifically in Pennsylvania—there is a high demand for heating appliances like ours. This is for both pellets and wood, because consumers are looking for heating solutions alternative to what I call the traditional forms, and a lot of that also is driven by ways of lowering home heating costs,” Verbeke says.Another element that makes Pennsylvania a good market for pellet heat is the population dispersal throughout the center of the state. Although the population density is not comparable to regions around Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the rural region is more densely populated than the population of a state like Wyoming, Kvietok explains. “When you get to those [very spread out] population densities, it actually becomes challenging to run a pellet facility because you don’t have enough customers within that 200 mile radius to serve,” he says. “Moderately dense rural areas are more economically feasible to supply, and the folks living there maintain a connection to the land and a desire for independent living that makes wood a very sensible choice.”Rural Pennsylvanians are comfortable with the idea of using wood as a “functional material,” he explains, not just as a fuel for something like a campfire or a wood fire in a fireplace on Christmas Eve.&nbsp;Adam Martin, president of Martin Sales and Service in Butler, operates the family business of selling, installing and servicing heating stoves and fireplaces. Originally founded by Martin’s father, the shop sells pellets all year long, supplying homeowners who want to prepare for the winter during summer, and then more during cold fall and winter months. Martin explains that he works to ensure the pellets sold at his store offer customers high BTUs at the most affordable price possible. “I think it’s important our industry continues to sell a quality product backed by a retailer that can offer the proper installation and proper service, and then also continue to sell a quality fuel to convey a positive image of pellet fuel to the consumer—that they are saving on heating bills, have a reliable heat source and a reliable stove,” he says.&nbsp;Martin emphasizes the importance of keeping prices down on both pellet stoves and fuel, as many of his customers look to pellet stoves as a way to offset heating costs. When sold at his store, pellet price averages range from $295 per ton to $325 per ton, with the majority of customers who use pellet stoves as a primary heating source purchasing two to three tons per year. “I can tell you that some [customers] have certainly told me over and over again that the amount of money that they’re spending to heat their home for a year with a pellet stove is what they were using to heat their home with alternative fuel for only a month’s ... worth of heat,” Martin says.&nbsp;Martin keeps costs affordable by finding local pellets, reducing the shipping cost. He is also selective about the brands of stove he carries, choosing to carry the best products that the industry has to offer as well as the service needed to maintain it. Martin believes that selling U.S.-made products and high-quality brands differentiates his shop from a big box store, which carries a wide array of products, but may not all be high quality. “For a fresh customer who doesn’t have a pellet stove to get involved, between the cost of the stove, the venting and installation of the stove, and then the fuel on top of it, I think it’s really important that our industry looks at these things, adds them up and understands that they’re making an investment in our industry,” Martin adds.Appliance Manufacturing&nbsp; The Harman brand pellet stoves sold at Martin’s store have roots in Pennsylvania. Verbeke explains that Hearth and Home Technologies’ history in the state began 18 years ago, when the company acquired the Harman stove brand and its manufacturing facility, located in Halifax. “Dane Harman, who was the original founder of Harman, lived in Halifax,” he says. “He saw a need for heating solutions and as a welder and engineer himself, it led to him creating the Harman brand.”After acquiring the brand, Hearth and Home Technologies decided to stay in Halifax because of the strong legacy of the brand in the community and the region’s pervasive use of pellet stove and wood stove heating. The stoves heat around 1,000 to 4,000 square feet and are typically used to heat a room or a whole floor of a building—often used to supplement a primary heating source—but they are capable of heating a small house.&nbsp;Another enticement for pellet stove purchases has been the tax incentives available to buyers. “Our particular tax credit is up to $2,000 tax credit or 30% of the value of the appliance and installation up to $2,000,” Verbeke says.&nbsp;While that has been the case since 2021, that tax credit is in danger of being eliminated. In May, it was stripped from the U.S. House of Representatives’ budget reconciliation bill, which is now in the Senate.&nbsp;Pennsylvania’s appreciation for wood’s usefulness and renewability helps keep the state a significant market for the wood pellets in the home heating space, Martin adds. “In this area of the country, I do feel that [the] customer loves wood heat, and loves that it’s renewable energy,” Martin says. “With a pellet customer ... they’re buying a leftover byproduct, which is sawdust coming from the lumber industry, and it makes them feel good.” &nbsp;Author: Katie Schroeder&nbsp; katie.schroeder@bbiinternational.com

2025-07-08 - Locked in on the Keystone State (Biomass Magazine)

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Pennsylvania’s pellet industry is a critical user of waste generated by the state’s robust wood product industry—with many significant benefits to boost.

Locked in on the Keystone State

In partnership with Guidehouse and Vanguard Renewables, the RNG Coalition presented its first RNG Media Day on June 18. Hosted by the RNG Coalition’s Senior Manager of Communications, Dylan Chase, the webinar kicked off with the exciting announcement that the coalition reached its 2025 Sustainable Methane Abatement &amp; Recycling Timeline benchmark of 500 operational facilities in the U.S. months ahead of schedule, with a total of 505 operational facilities. Spearheaded by the RNG Coalition, SMART is an initiative to capture and control methane and CO2 produced from the 43,000-plus aggregated organic waste sites in North America by 2050, with incremental benchmarks set in 2025, 2030 and 2040.Another 153 RNG facilities are under construction, according to the Coalition, and yet another 293 are in planning stages.The RNG Coalition’s CEO, Johannes Escudero, shared renewable natural gas’s (RNG) history in the U.S. and the Coalition’s role in the industry’s explosive growth. RNG, according to Escudero, is “the derivative product from any organic material that decomposes naturally, creating a cocktail of gas constituents, primarily consisting of methane and CO2.” The first U.S. RNG facility appeared in New York in 1982. In 2011, nearly 30 years later, the Coalition was founded, he said, and at the time only 31 RNG facilities were operational in the U.S. “We knew what our industry was capable of with the right policy support, with the right public support and with sufficient market demand,” Escudero stated, citing the jump to 505 operational facilities only 14 years later.&nbsp;Escudero attributed this success to the Coalition’s partners and supporters both at the federal and individual level. “Someone once said that if you’re leading and nobody is following, then you’re not really leading—you’re walking,” he continued. The Coalition’s mission—leadership, education and events, advocacy (U.S. and Canada), development and industry growth, and sustainable solutions and markets (LEADS)—ties it all together.&nbsp;Following Escudero, Geoff Dietz, senior director of federal affairs for the Coalition, dove into the hot-button topic of federal tax credits, starting with the history behind the U.S. EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS’s goal, created in 2005, was to support the development and commercialization of biofuels. Under former President George W. Bush in 2007, the RFS was authorized via the Energy Independence and Security Act to expand feedstocks and fuel types, and another expansion in 2014 under the Obama administration permitted RNG and biogas under the cellulosic biofuel category. Today, RNG comprises 95% of available cellulosic biofuel credits.As for more recently crafted policy, Dietz pointed to Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit—which currently offers up to $1 per gallon for non-aviation fuels and up to $1.75 per gallon for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—as opportunistic for RNG, though it is subject to change under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act making its way through Congress. Dietz also suggested potential for RNG in Section 45V, which focuses on clean hydrogen. “RNG can play a role as a feedstock of that clean hydrogen,” he explained. And although not as well-known as the other Section 45 policy, 45Q, the carbon sequestration credit, offers potential; one of the two main gases within RNG is biogenic CO2, which has encouraged interest to take advantage of the credit.Sam Wade, vice president of public policy at RNG Coalition, briefly touched on state-specific RNG policies. At current, four states have a clean fuel standard passed and in effect, with more seeing statewide advocacy. California has led the way with its Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which has displaced over 70% of transportation diesel with cleaner alternatives and lowered California’s fuel carbon intensity (CI) by nearly 20%. RNG, according to Wade, offers the lowest-CI clean fuel.Utilities are increasingly being subject to decarbonization goals through RNG channels, including renewable gas and clean heat standards. Oregon, which Wade described as a “leader in RNG,” set the statewide voluntary goal to add as much as 30% of RNG into the state’s pipeline system by 2050 under 2019’s Senate Bill 98.In a jump to real-world examples, Coalition member Guidehouse’s Director of Energy Transition, Danielle Vitoff, demonstrated how far the industry has come in the past year, presenting economic data from mid-2024. Vitoff began with impressive statistics: the RNG industry supported 55,664 jobs in 2024, with 57% of employment coming from projects under construction, and generated $7.2 billion in gross domestic product. The majority of these RNG jobs were middle income and required no advanced degrees. Facilities in progress as of mid-2024 could support roughly 94,000 jobs and generate $10.8 billion in GDP, Vitoff said.Municipal solid waste (MSW) was found to have the largest economic impact due to its high levels of RNG production, according to Vitoff. Utilization of such RNG is focused on three sectors: transportation and freight, in which RNG has found itself for the better part of its lifespan and garners support from policies including the RFS and LCFS; utilities, which have faced increasing pressure to decarbonize and develop RNG drop-in compatibilities; and the hard-to-abate industries, which also face decarbonization pressure along supply chains.Michael O’Laughlin, CEO of Vanguard Renewables, spoke to the importance of localized anaerobic digestion and the advantage the U.S. currently holds. “The U.S. is really positioned well as a global leader because of the [pipeline] infrastructure that exists today,” he said. O’Laughlin cited Vanguard’s “fully circular RNG solution” as an example of such infrastructure. Food and beverage industry waste is supplied to anaerobic, farm-based digesters via organics preprocessing, which is then converted to animal bedding and fertilizer, effectively diverting waste from the landfill.&nbsp;Anaerobic digesters benefit individual farmers and local economies by adding revenue, reducing farm odors and producing useful byproducts, as well as national companies looking to meet zero-waste-to-landfill goals, O’Laughlin continued. For now, he said, RNG must meet global regulation requirements, including production processes, existing gas and infrastructure, and multi-industry demand—a challenge the industry is hungry to take on. Author: Caitlin Scheresky&nbsp; caitlin.scheresky@bbiinternational.com

2025-07-08 - Rallying for RNG (Biomass Magazine)

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The RNG Coalition held its inaugural RNG Media Day in June, sharing key industry updates, current federal and state policy, and economic and development reports. 

Rallying for RNG

As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental transformation, pressure mounts to find low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels across hard-to-abate sectors. &nbsp;Methanol, a clean-burning fuel with wide-ranging applications in shipping, power generation and sustainable chemicals, offers an alternative to traditional fuels. But biomethanol, technically mature and increasingly scalable, is building its case as a critical enabler of the net-zero transition.Biomethanol, distinct from e-methanol (which is produced entirely from captured CO2 and green hydrogen), is produced by converting sustainable biomass sources into low-carbon methanol. It helps tackle two major challenges: cutting carbon emissions and reducing organic waste. Coupled with its compatibility with proven industrial processes, biomethanol stands a practical and attractive fuel option in the transition to cleaner energy systems. Biomethanol also lays a road to compliance with upcoming maritime emissions regulations, provides a renewable alternative to current chemical feedstocks facing Scope 3 reduction goals, and offers an outlet for organic waste disposal.Process Pathways and Technical Readiness&nbsp; The production of methanol from biomass typically follows one of two routes: biochemical conversion or thermochemical conversion. The former uses anaerobic digestion to create biogas, which can then be reformed into synthesis gas (syngas—a mixture of CO, H2, and CO2). Thermochemical conversion involves converting solid biomass into syngas. Biomass-derived syngas contains different toxins than fossil-based syngas, layering additional challenges in gasification and methanol synthesis. The gas is then cleaned and catalytically converted into methanol. Some advanced systems also incorporate partial oxidation during gasification to enhance syngas quality and increase methanol yield. Green hydrogen may also optionally be integrated into the biomass-to-methanol process to enhance syngas composition and increase methanol yield.The process can accommodate a wide range of typically nonedible lignocellulosic and organic waste feedstocks such as forestry residues (branches, bark, wood chips) agricultural byproducts (straw, husks, corn stover); black liquor (a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry); and biogenic municipal solid waste (food scraps, green waste).&nbsp;While the underlying chemistry is well understood, the integration of biomass gasification with methanol synthesis requires careful engineering. Companies with deep experience in methanol production, such as Johnson Matthey, have adapted their synthesis loop and catalyst platforms to manage biomass-derived syngas. These solutions are tailored to tolerate feedstock variability, including hydrogen availability, high-conversion efficiency maintenance, and product purity assurance—all critical for commercial viability. This is not an experimental pathway, however. Biomass-to-methanol leverages decades of industrial methanol expertise and infrastructure at significant scale. This means deployment can happen more quickly than some emerging fuel technologies.Environmental Impact and Growing Policy Relevance&nbsp; A 2021 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency estimated that methanol production and use contribute around 0.3 gigatonnes of CO2 annually, or about 10% of global emissions from the chemical industry. Lifecycle analysis shows that biomethanol can reduce global warming potential by up to 185% (cradle-to-gate) relative to fossil-based methanol, depending on feedstock type and carbon accounting assumptions (this figure reflects the CO2 absorbed during biomass growth). Methanol produced from residual or waste biomass has the potential to deliver large carbon footprint savings, especially when it displaces fuels like heavy fuel oil or naphtha.When used as a marine fuel, biomethanol offers up to 95% lower CO2 emissions (tank-to-wake) than conventional fuels. It also provides immediate improvements in air quality by producing lower nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur oxides (SOX) and particulate matter during combustion. In regions facing tightening emissions standards for shipping, these benefits strengthen biomethanol’s case as a compliance-friendly fuel option.Global maritime regulations are increasing momentum for low-carbon fuels. The FuelEU Maritime Regulation initiative mandates a progressive reduction in greenhouse gas intensity from marine fuels, creating long-term renewables demand signals. Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organization has set a global decarbonization trajectory, including a 20% reduction in shipping’s total GHG emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, with a global carbon price set in April 2025. These regulations are expected to accelerate the adoption of drop-in fuels, which offer compatibility with existing infrastructure and measurable lifecycle emission benefits. Policy support is not only helping close the investment gap but also solidifying biomethanol’s role in the maritime sector’s energy transition. However, many jurisdictions still lack specific frameworks to differentiate between fossil-based and renewable methanol, or to reward the full lifecycle emissions savings of biobased production. Closing this policy gap will be essential for investment certainty.Scaling Challenges and Collaboration Needs&nbsp; Scaling biomass-to-methanol is not without challenges. Feedstock availability, logistics and supply chain integration are common barriers. While biomass is theoretically abundant, practical access is shaped by geography, seasonality and competing demand from other sectors such as bioenergy, animal feed or composting. Effective scaling will depend on the development of stable, regional biomass supply chains. This includes investment in collection and preprocessing infrastructure, better data on feedstock volumes and quality, and systems for tracking sustainability credentials.&nbsp;Technical challenges also remain. Biomass-derived syngas can contain a range of impurities including tars, sulphur compounds and chlorine, which can impair catalyst performance if not properly managed. Methanol synthesis technology must be resilient to variable gas composition and impurities. Here, advancements in catalyst design and process engineering such as those pioneered by companies like JM are helping make the utilization of sustainable feedstocks more reliable.&nbsp;Equally important is project financing. While methanol synthesis technology is proven, the commercial viability of biomass-to-methanol still depends on access to incentives, predictable feedstock pricing and buyers willing to pay a premium for low-carbon methanol. Emerging low-carbon fuel standards and voluntary corporate commitments are helping close this gap, but market confidence remains essential. Project viability improves significantly when developers can partner with experienced technology licensors and supply chain integrators who can derisk project delivery.Case Study: SunGas Renewable Energy Project&nbsp; One of the most significant projects highlighting the commercial viability and scaling potential of biomethanol is the Beaver Lake Renewable Energy project by SunGas Renewables in Pineville, Louisiana. With a planned investment of $2 billion, this facility will be one of the largest biomethanol plants currently being developed in the U.S. Set on the site of a former paper mill, it reflects a growing trend toward repurposing existing industrial infrastructure to support the energy transition. The plant is expected to produce approximately 500,000 metric tons of biomethanol annually, enough to power up to nine large oceangoing container vessels per year. This output is aimed primarily at the marine fuels market, but it will also serve as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel and other renewable chemical applications.To support this high-capacity production, SunGas has selected JM as its methanol synthesis technology partner, along with Linde and Merichem. A final investment decision is expected by 2026, with operations commencing by late 2028. SunGas has already secured an offtake agreement with shipping giant Maersk.A Pragmatic Fuel for a Complex Transition&nbsp; The long-term role of biomethanol will likely vary by region. In feedstock-rich countries, it could become a dominant fuel. In others, it may complement hydrogen or e-methanol solutions, offering a near-term option during scaling. What will ultimately determine its success is not just technical performance, but system thinking. Biomass-to-methanol sits at the intersection of energy, waste and industrial policy. Making it work at scale will require alignment across sectors, coordinated planning and smart regulation. It also calls for pragmatic partnerships between technology providers, feedstock suppliers, policymakers and end users.As the world confronts the dual pressures of climate action and sustainable growth, fuels like biomethanol deserve close attention. &nbsp;It offers a flexible platform for converting available sustainable feedstocks into low-carbon fuel. In terms of impact, readiness and relevance, biomethanol is proving to be a vital contributor to decarbonization.Author: Zinovia Skoufa&nbsp; Managing Director, Methanol&nbsp;&nbsp; Johnson Matthey &nbsp;

2025-07-11 - Biomass-to-Methanol: A Scalable Solution for Synthetic Fuels (Biomass Magazine)

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Biomethanol offers a flexible platform for converting available sustainable feedstocks into low-carbon fuel.

Biomass-to-Methanol: A Scalable Solution for Synthetic Fuels

As the bioeconomy evolves, so must the way we think about biomass utilization. What if the key to unlocking new revenue, reducing waste and meeting sustainability goals could be part of your existing operation? Biochar has entered the spotlight in the biomass industry as a material and technology that can increase the value of residuals and help revitalize American manufacturing.While biochar was once considered a niche product with limited market infrastructure, that perception is shifting. With increasing market interest and a growing push for carbon-smart, circular solutions, biochar is proving to be a high-value output.Biochar is essentially charcoal, but instead of using it to heat your grill, it’s used as a versatile input across industries: as a concrete additive, a component in horticultural substrates, and a soil amendment that stores carbon for thousands of years.&nbsp;Biochar production entails heating biomass in oxygen-limited environments where full combustion cannot occur, typically in gasification or pyrolysis systems. Most biochar production systems also produce excess heat, which can be used to meet on-site heat demand or to produce electricity. Nearly any biomass will do, so most biochar producers focus on timber and agricultural processing residuals or other waste streams, presenting an opportunity to add value to these materials.&nbsp;Although biochar is gaining fresh attention today, its origins go back in history. Indigenous groups around the world used it to improve the productivity of soils. In more recent history, many biomass energy producers and timber boilers have been making biochar for decades but either reburning the material as “reinjection ash” or landfilling it as “high-carbon fly-ash.”&nbsp;This presents a new economic opportunity, largely driven by demand for biochar carbon removal credits by major corporations like Microsoft, Google and others. Payments for these credits cover much of the cost of producing biochar, rendering the physical biochar a low-cost input material in industrial, agricultural and infrastructure value chains. Increasing the use of biochar in these sectors is key to unlocking a thriving industry—one that adds value to agricultural and forestry residuals. The United States Biochar Initiative is also focused on building biochar into these markets to support a growing and thriving biochar sector. &nbsp;Building with Biochar: Carbon-Sinking Concrete&nbsp; One of the most headline-grabbing developments over the past year has been the use of biochar in concrete, which represents a major opportunity for the biochar industry, due to the size of the potential market demand. Biochar adds value in multiple ways; it sequesters carbon in low-carbon concrete blends, improves the performance and curing of lightweight concrete blends, and serves as a substitute for coal fly-ash, a common ingredient in concrete that is becoming scarcer with the decline in coal power generation.&nbsp;Just in the past few months, Holcim, one of the largest concrete companies in the world, announced that it was using biochar in product lines, including a showcase at the Venice Architecture Biennial. According to Holcim, every ton of biochar used in concrete sequesters three tons of CO2, helping them to achieve ambitious decarbonization goals.&nbsp;While the use of biochar among major industry players like Holcim reflects the potential scale of this market, many other efforts are underway to achieve that. This includes the development of a formal American Society for Testing and Materials standard for biochar in concrete that would underpin the growth in this market.Greener Gardens and Plants: Biochar in Potting Media&nbsp; Biochar is also an increasingly popular material in the home and garden sector as a component of potting media and horticultural substrate. Potting media is commonly composed of a combination of materials like perlite, peat and coconut coir, all of which are excellent for growing plants. However, they are also expensive, carbon-intensive, primarily imported and subject to supply chain disruptions—and, very likely, tariffs. Major players in this sector have been looking for lower-cost, domestically produced, sustainable alternatives including biochar, which can be effective to replace perlite and a portion of peat in high-quality media. With increased biochar production, supported by carbon markets, biochar can also be a lower-cost alternative.&nbsp;Just in the past year, SunGro, a leading producer of professional grower mixes and consumer brands, launched Black Bear media, which utilizes biochar in place of perlite. This hints at the potential for a large increase in demand for biochar. At the same time, smaller companies are getting in the game too, including Rosy Soil, a startup potting media company that makes carbon-neutral potting media based on biochar. Rosy Soil has seen impressive growth over the past year, garnering major purchase agreements with big box retailers including Target.Biochar in Soil: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture&nbsp;&nbsp; Using biochar as a soil amendment has been the key market for the biochar industry since its inception, and for good reason: it increases water and nutrient holding, improves soil health, increases yields in many crops, and much more. While effective, historically, most farmers have not been able to make the dollars and cents add up, but as biochar prices have come down and its benefits are becoming clearer, the story is changing. Further, as interest in regenerative agriculture has grown, biochar is getting a second look. Unlike other regenerative practices that increase soil carbon, the carbon in biochar is permanent, providing a long-term foundation that supports the effectiveness of other regenerative practices like cover cropping and compost amendment.&nbsp;Key to the growth of this market has been the availability of federal cost-share payments to farmers through USDA programs, making it possible for farmers across the country to experiment with biochar and develop the most cost-effective ways to use it. In the Southeast United States, Ashwood Biochar, a major biochar producer, has been leading the way in helping farmers access these programs and deploy biochar on thousands of acres.&nbsp;In certain high-value cropping systems in the western U.S., like vineyards in California and apples in Washington state, farmers are finding that biochar addition prior to planting increases growth rates and yields without sacrificing product quality, leading to increased farm revenues without any federal cost share incentives. In California, Monterey Pacific, a major vineyard manager, now uses biochar when planting most of its vineyards.Writing the Next Chapter&nbsp; As demand grows across these sectors, the need for clear, science-based specifications has become critical. The U.S. Biochar Initiative is currently leading the development of an American National Standard (ANSI) for laboratory testing, with target completion of fall 2025. The anticipated next phase is establishing quality and end-use ANSI standards to support market growth and product consistency.Biochar is emerging as a well-established industry. Producers and manufacturers are fueling rural economic development and supporting manufacturing jobs. This growth is attracting increasing attention from major agricultural and industrial corporations, policymakers, feedstock suppliers and more.&nbsp;For biomass producers and industry stakeholders, the message is clear: Biochar is not just a byproduct—it’s a business opportunity. As demand accelerates, now is the time to engage, innovate and help write the next chapter of this rapidly growing industry. Author: Myles Gray&nbsp; Executive Director, U.S. Biochar Initiative&nbsp; Biochar-us.org

2025-07-08 - More Than a Byproduct: a New Chapter for Biochar (Biomass Magazine)

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Once a niche product, biochar has become a business opportunity.

More Than a Byproduct: a New Chapter for Biochar

Wildfires have become an escalating global threat as climate change accelerates. In Canada, the 2023 wildfire season was the most severe ever recorded, scorching over 15 million hectares (37 million acres) of managed forests—more than seven times the national annual average. These fires not only devastated ecosystems and threatened lives and infrastructure, but also released unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. More than 230,000 people were evacuated, and many remote communities—particularly off-grid Indigenous communities in the north—found themselves on the frontlines.These same communities already face chronic energy insecurity, relying heavily on inefficient diesel generators for electricity and heating. Diesel fuel must be transported over long distances, often by truck, making supply chains costly, unreliable, and carbon-intensive. The convergence of wildfire risk and diesel dependence presents a pressing dual challenge but also a unique opportunity.A Transformative Solution&nbsp; A recent study led by Nicolas Mansuy, PhD, published in Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment, outlines a novel approach: converting biomass at risk of wildfire into bioenergy. The strategy integrates fire-smart fuel management with community-scale bioenergy systems to address two major challenges at once—wildfire mitigation and clean energy access.Wildfire mitigation strategies such as fuel treatments often involve clearing flammable materials like deadwood, dry branches and dense undergrowth near infrastructure and populated areas. This biomass is typically discarded or left to decompose. The study proposes a different path: treating this material not as waste, but as a renewable feedstock to produce local bioenergy. By doing so, communities can reduce fire hazards while decreasing their dependence on diesel.This integrated approach directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action), by expanding access to renewable energy and lowering emissions from both wildfires and fossil fuels.Local Biomass, Local Power&nbsp; The study identified 33 remote Canadian communities that are both diesel-dependent and surrounded by wildfire-prone biomass within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius. Most of these communities have populations ranging from 100 to 3,000 residents, with annual energy needs between 700 and 20,000 megawatt-hours. These energy profiles make localized biomass-to-energy systems technically and economically feasible.One of the most compelling findings is that harvesting less than 1% of the available biomass within the 10-km buffer zone would be sufficient to meet these communities’ entire annual energy demand. In effect, biomass from local fire mitigation could provide all the necessary feedstock for bioenergy generation.Two scenarios for energy conversion were explored in the study:Wood chip-based model: This theoretical scenario shows strong potential for cost savings but would require greater investments in infrastructure, planning and on-the-ground logistics.Wood pellet-based model: This operational scenario involves using commercially available biomass boilers and wood pellets. It offers a more immediate and scalable pathway, relying on existing technology and distribution systems.In both cases, transitioning to bioenergy would significantly reduce diesel consumption and associated emissions. As of 2020, remote communities in Canada consumed approximately 700 million liters (185 million gallons) of diesel annually—mainly for heating and electricity—serving an estimated 200,000 people. This level of consumption equates to about 9 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions per person per year, more than three times the emissions of the average Canadian household.More Than Clean Energy&nbsp; The benefits of this integrated approach go well beyond energy and emissions reductions. Since 2017, the Canadian government has supported over 100 clean energy projects through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, including several bioenergy initiatives. Yet, logistical challenges remain one of the biggest hurdles to scaling up biomass use in remote areas. Long transportation distances, seasonal accessibility and limited infrastructure make external biomass supply chains expensive and impractical.By using biomass already located near these communities—biomass that would otherwise pose a fire risk—logistical burdens are dramatically reduced. In turn, this unlocks a series of important co-benefits, including the following:Wildfire prevention: Removing flammable biomass reduces the risk of uncontrolled fires, protecting lives, homes and ecosystems.GHG reduction: Emissions are mitigated both from wildfires and from the continued use of diesel generators.Economic development: Local job creation and skills development is supported in the areas of forest management, energy system operation and environmental monitoring.Community empowerment: Indigenous communities gain more autonomy over their energy systems and land management practices.&nbsp; Resilience building: Long-term resilience against both environmental threats and socio-economic vulnerabilities is enhanced.Moreover, this approach aligns with Indigenous leadership and stewardship values, integrating traditional knowledge with modern clean energy technology. Indigenous organizations are already leading innovative energy and land management projects across the country. Supporting and scaling such efforts could accelerate both climate action and reconciliation.Scaling the Vision&nbsp; Although promising pilot projects exist, most communities have not yet adopted this approach. Scaling up requires more than good ideas. It calls for strategic investment, policy support and collaborative governance. To make this vision a reality, several key areas need to be addressed.Local infrastructure and equipment: Biomass harvesting, processing and storage facilities must be developed to support small-scale energy systems.Education and training: Fire awareness campaigns and capacity-building programs will ensure communities can manage and operate these systems safely and effectively.Coordinated policy frameworks: A cross-jurisdictional approach is essential, aligning forestry, energy, Indigenous affairs and emergency management.Long-term financing: Sustained federal and provincial funding mechanisms are needed to support implementation and maintenance.Inclusive governance: Indigenous leadership and collaboration with local stakeholders should be central to project design and decision-making.Governments, utilities, fire agencies, researchers and community organizations must work together to build a national framework that supports community-scale bioenergy integrated with wildfire mitigation. This kind of win-win solution shows how climate adaptation and energy transition can be tackled simultaneously.Toward a Resilient Bioeconomy&nbsp; While the study focuses on remote and off-grid communities, the broader implications are national and even global. The removal and use of fire-prone biomass can be integrated into commercial biomass supply chains, contributing to a growing market for renewable, sustainable feedstocks. As demand rises for low-carbon fuels and circular bioeconomy solutions, fire-smart bioenergy offers a compelling path forward.In the face of increasing wildfire activity and energy insecurity, especially in Canada’s north, the opportunity is clear. By turning a major climate threat into a source of sustainable power, this approach addresses some of the most pressing challenges, energy access, climate resilience and community well-being, through a single, integrated strategy.As Canada prepares for future wildfire seasons, the time to act is now. Empowering communities with clean, local energy derived from fire-risk biomass not only helps prevent disaster, but it also lights the way to more resilient communities. Author: Nicolas Mansuy&nbsp; Researcher, Natural Resources Canada&nbsp; nicolas.mansuy@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

2025-07-08 - From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy (Biomass Magazine)

Using at-risk biomass for bioenergy is a win-win solution to Canada’s off-grid communities.

From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy

In the growing movement toward circular bioeconomy solutions, biochar is emerging as more than just a soil amendment. When formed into high-performance pellets, biochar becomes a robust tool for pollution remediation and nutrient delivery, a cost-effective source of carbon for steelmaking, and a sustainable construction material design.&nbsp; Mars Mineral has seen firsthand how precision pelletizing from milled biochar can transform waste materials into value-added products with wide-reaching commercial and industrial applications.Shaping Biochar for Real-World Use Biochar has been championed for its carbon-stable framework, water retention capability and porosity, making it a compelling candidate for environmental and agricultural use. In its raw powdered or crushed form, however, it is often dusty, hard to handle and inconsistently applied. Pelletizing addresses these challenges.Advantages of Pelletized Biochar • Densification improves handling, packaging, transportation, storage and application efficiency. • Mechanical stability ensures product integrity during handling and shipping. • Consistent pellet size distribution enables reliable application rates in soil or filtration systems. By tailoring moisture content, pellet size distribution, and binder selection, the pelletizing process optimizes biochar’s structural and functional properties for targeted use cases—from field spreading to wastewater treatment to steelmaking. Mars Mineral’s proprietary pelletizing technology is engineered for industrial scalability and precise control over pellet properties. It is also optimized to handle a wide range of biochar feedstocks, including forest waste such as slash, food processing waste and biomass ashes. Mars’ pin mixer acts as a high-speed conditioner, mixing fine materials with moisture and binders to initiate microagglomeration. As a standalone pelletizer, the pin mixer generates round pellets typically in the 0.5–2mm range. When paired with our disc pelletizer, the result is dense, spherical pellets in the 1–4mm range. This two-step process allows for shorter drying times, more efficient binder usage, higher throughput and greater control over pellet bulk density, strength and porosity.What the Research Says: Pelletizing Biomass and Biochar Research by Rambhatla et al. (2024), published in Resources, Environment and Sustainability, shows that pyrolysis temperature and hold time within the 400–900 degrees Celsius range have a direct impact on biochar yield, structure and density. In the study, bulk biomass was pyrolyzed in a nitrogen atmosphere under tightly controlled temperature profiles to assess how thermal treatment impacts material performance. Some of the findings were as follows: • Maximum biochar yield occurs around 400 C, making it ideal for soil and nutrient applications. • As pyrolysis temperatures increase to 600–900 C, biochar yield declines due to the increasing loss of volatiles, but carbon content, higher heating value and thermal stability increase. • Biochar produced at 900 C has a highly aromatic carbon framework with lower oxygen and hydrogen content, making it suitable for filtration applications such as the removal of metal or organic contaminants. • Morphology also shifts: Lower-temperature chars retain structure useful in soil amendments for water retention, while higher-temperature chars develop enhanced performance properties for pollutant adsorption. The study also demonstrated that increasing pyrolysis temperatures used to convert biomass into biochar increases carbon and ash content and bulk density, and decreases surface area, porosity, hydrophilic functional groups and water adsorption, making the biochar surface more hydrophobic. These thermal effects are key to selecting pyrolysis parameters that align with intended end uses. In practice, biochar produced under these conditions must be milled into a fine powder before it can be pelletized. Consequently, the binders, binder adjuncts and pelletization equipment settings must be optimized to meet functional pellet specifications for each intended application.Process Development Considerations Pelletizing biochar is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each feedstock varies in moisture, volatiles and particle shape, requiring customized process development. Mars Minerals uses lab trials and pilot-scale testing to validate performance before scaling up. Key factors include: • Moisture content: This is essential for green pellet strength without overburdening drying systems. • Binder chemistry and loading: Options typically range from water alone to aqueous lignosulfonates, humates and starches, depending on application and sustainability goals. • Pellet size, size distribution and strength: These characteristics are tuned for the application—smaller and harder for filtration, and larger and weaker for rapid soil dispersion as a soil conditioner. Through iterative testing, Mars Minerals fine-tunes input ratios, equipment settings and post-processing steps to ensure that biochar pellets meet the demands of agriculture, remediation or material manufacturing.Enabling the Circular Bioeconomy Pelletized biochar exemplifies the convergence of carbon management and waste valorization. By transforming residual biomass into engineered pellets, producers can move closer to zero-waste, carbon-neutral manufacturing while generating materials that sequester carbon, purify water and restore soil health. Benefits include: • Forestry: Biochar pellets support wildfire mitigation, improve water retention, balance soil pH, and enhance microbial activity for long-term regeneration. • Agriculture: Nutrient efficiency is improved while handling and application challenges are addressed. • Water purification: Biochar pellets act as sorbents for metals, dyes and other pollutants. • Construction materials: Thermal and structural performance is improved in composites, bricks and cement. • Environmental engineering: Attention is attracted for remediation of contaminants from heavy metals to industrial solvents. One of the most urgent uses is in mitigating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and water. With the right feedstock and high-temperature pyrolysis, biochar can be tailored for porosity and surface area to adsorb PFAS. When pelletized, it is easier to deploy in fixed-bed filters or in-situ soil treatments, offering a practical alternative to activated carbon in select applications. In every case, pelletizing turns waste into value, expanding biochar’s potential across multiple industries.Carbon Sequestration and a Role in Carbon Credit Markets Biochar stores carbon in a stable form that resists decomposition, making it a credible tool for long-term sequestration. When pelletized, it becomes easier to handle and verify—key requirements for participation in voluntary carbon markets. Programs like Puro.earth recognize biochar-based credits, opening revenue opportunities for producers. Mars Mineral’s pelletizing systems support this market by ensuring consistent product quality and traceability. Pelletized biochar transforms waste biomass into a durable, marketable carbon sink—advancing both soil health and climate goals.The Path Forward As policymakers and markets push for decarbonization and resource recovery, pelletized biochar offers an adaptable, science-backed bridge between waste streams and valuable products. With proven equipment such as the Mars Mineral disc pelletizer and pin mixer, and more than 60 years of experience, stakeholders across the biomass spectrum—from pyrolysis operators to soil amendment producers—can realize the full potential of their carbon-rich materials. However, successful implementation starts with partnership. Companies exploring biochar pelletization should engage in collaborative trials that reduce risk, speed development and deliver fit-for-purpose pellet solutions. Author: Craig Vaughan General Manager, Mars Mineral

2025-07-08 - Unlocking Biochar’s Full  Potential Through Pelletizing  (Biomass Magazine)

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The functional benefits of biochar pelletization offer agronomic, industrial and environmental advantages.

Unlocking Biochar’s Full  Potential Through Pelletizing 

Protecting workers should be the top priority for any employer, especially those on the front line of materials processing. &nbsp;Beyond the substantial financial consequences of a workplace injury or fatality, the impacts are felt profoundly by an employee’s family, their coworkers and the wider community. &nbsp;Thus, investing in safe, well-engineered equipment and prevention-focused training that helps protect workers from injury or illness is essentially investing in people, company culture and the community. &nbsp;Although return on investment (ROI) is a common calculation when installing new conveyor accessories, some safety experts emphasize the return on prevention (ROP). &nbsp;This long-term strategy prioritizes equipment with safety engineered into the design, allowing for more ergonomic servicing, faster and easier access, and other improvements that make maintenance less dangerous and more desirable to do. &nbsp;Although safer equipment is typically a larger initial capital investment, the whole life return is in faster maintenance with less downtime, longer equipment life and, importantly, a considerably lower chance of an incident, reducing the overall cost of operation.The Real Costs of ROICalculating the ROI on conveyor safety is specific to each operation, but in general, they can be broken down into “direct costs” and “indirect costs”:&nbsp;• Direct costs are explicitly associated with an accident or illness. &nbsp;In general, these include fines, medical bills, insurance premiums, indemnity payments and temporary disability payments.&nbsp;• Indirect costs include a variety of other expenses resulting from the incident. &nbsp;They include: [Fig.1]- Cleanup time and product loss- Equipment repair/replacement&nbsp;- Purchase/installation of safety components- Overtime to fill in for the missing worker- Cost of hiring, training and equipping new employees- Legal fees and litigation costs&nbsp;- Increased insurance premiums- Production delays and missed shipment targets- Reduced employee morale, greater absenteeism&nbsp;- Negative publicity- Increased scrutiny by regulatorsThe Price of Recovering from an Accident&nbsp; To demonstrate the benefits of safety to a company’s bottom line, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S.) created the online tool, $afety Pays, which uses company-specific economic information to assess the potential economic impact of occupational injuries on that firm’s profitability. The program estimates direct costs (provided by the National Council on Compensation Insurance) and indirect costs (provided by the Stanford University Department of Civil Engineering) and weighs them against financial details supplied by the company. [Fig.2]Return on Prevention&nbsp; The commonly used ROI model calculates the time frame in which the capital expenditure on new equipment is recaptured through the improvements. &nbsp;If a proposed project meets budget expectations and has a payback period of less than one year, plant management usually approves it.Working with abstract numbers implicitly creates pushback, making it more difficult for safety-conscious managers to obtain approval for their proposals. &nbsp;However, the hard costs of worker injuries and fatalities are very real. &nbsp;The ROP model illustrates the direction and strength of occupational safety and health programs in helping to achieve company goals.Conclusion&nbsp; The death or serious injury of a worker is always tragic and can have long-term impacts for all those involved. &nbsp;Investigations usually reveal that incidents could have been prevented with the right knowledge and behaviours, combined with practical and cost-effective safety improvements. &nbsp;The ROP on durable, well-designed conveyor accessories and professional training makes good financial sense and can lead to a safety culture that ripples throughout the company’s balance sheet. Author: Jerad Heitzler&nbsp; Training Manager, Martin Engineering&nbsp; &nbsp;

2025-07-08 - Conveyor Safety and the Return on Prevention (Biomass Magazine)

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The return on prevention for durable, well-designed conveyor accessories and professional training makes good financial sense and can lead to a robust safety culture.

Biomass Magazine Issue 3 - 2025

Columns

Pointing to the Positives

Featured

Powering AI

Locked in on the Keystone State

Rallying for RNG

Contributions

SPOTLIGHT IAC | Engineering the Carbon-Negative Future: IAC’s Role in Building Biomass and Bioenergy Facilities

Biomass-to-Methanol: A Scalable Solution for Synthetic Fuels

More Than a Byproduct: a New Chapter for Biochar

From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy

Unlocking Biochar’s Full Potential Through Pelletizing

Conveyor Safety and the Return on Prevention

Departments

Industry Update: Biomass Power & Waste-to-Energy

Biomass Magazine Issue 3 - 2025.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}

Columns

Pointing to the Positives

Featured

Powering AI

Locked in on the Keystone State

Rallying for RNG

Contributions

SPOTLIGHT IAC | Engineering the Carbon-Negative Future: IAC’s Role in Building Biomass and Bioenergy Facilities

Biomass-to-Methanol: A Scalable Solution for Synthetic Fuels

More Than a Byproduct: a New Chapter for Biochar

From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy

Unlocking Biochar’s Full Potential Through Pelletizing

Conveyor Safety and the Return on Prevention

Departments

Industry Update: Biomass Power & Waste-to-Energy

Biomass Magazine Issue 3 - 2025