Drax Biomass to move headquarters to Georgia

Drax Biomass is moving its headquarters to the Atlanta, Georgia, suburb of Sandy Springs. The announcement was made July 8 by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Information released by the department indicates Drax Biomass will invest more than $1 million in the state to lease 10,000 square feet in the Concourse building in Sandy Springs for seven years. Drax Biomass, a subsidiary of U.K.-based Drax Group plc focused on wood pellet production, is currently based in Burlington, Massachusetts.

“After full consideration of our business requirements as we near the commencement of our operations in the Gulf region and seek further development opportunities in the southeast U.S., we have chosen to establish our new headquarters in Sandy Springs,” said Matthew Rivers, chairman of Drax Biomass, in a press release. “We look forward to cultivating strong working relationships with community citizens and civic organizations alike as we build our presence in the area.” 

"We are excited to welcome Drax Biomass to the metro Atlanta region," said Brian McGowan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "Selecting Atlanta for its U.S. headquarters brings new jobs to our region and expands our reputation as an ideal location for foreign companies, and contributes to the strength of our growing clean tech sector. We look forward to continue to work with the Drax team as they establish their presence in the metro Atlanta area."

Drax Biomass is currently developing the 450,000-ton-per-yearMorehouse BioEnergy pellet project in Bastrop, Louisiana, and the 450,000-ton-per-year Amite BioEnergy pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi. In February, Drax announced it was pursuing options to develop up to 2 million additional tons of pellet capacity, primarily in the U.S., during an investor call to discuss the company’s 2013 financial results.  In May, Biomass Magazine reported that Drax has plans to develop an additional 450,000-ton-per-year projft in Magnolia, Mississippi.  The company may also be developing a fourth project in Abbeville County, South Carolina. In June, the county voted to approve an ordinance that would allow Drax an option to purchase a 119 acre tract of land for the development of a pellet plant.