Pellet Mill Monthly - April 1, 2014

Biomass association leaders discuss triumphs, troubles Leaders of seven bioenergy trade associations participated in the International Biomass Conference & Expo's State of the Industry general session on March 25 in Orlando, Fla. READ MORE SHARE
Exhibitors report positive outlook, serious interest at IBCE More than 1,100 attendees at the 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla., March 24-26 came from 41 counties, 48 states and eight Canadian provinces to learn more about the growing biomass-to-energy sector. READ MORE SHARE
	Ackerly, Abengoa recognized for contributions to biomass industry John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat, was presented with the Excellence in Bioenergy award at the 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo, while Abengoa Bioenergy was recognized with the Groundbreaker of the Year award. READ MORE SHARE
Global pellet market to reach $9 billion by 2020 The global market for pellets is expected to double in the next seven years, growing from a $4 billion market to $9 billion, Michele Rebiere with Viridis Energy Inc. told attendees at the Pellet Supply Chain Summit, March 24. READ MORE SHARE
Geechee Energy announces Georgia pellet project South Carolina-based Geechee Energy LLC has announced plans to build a 360,000-metric-ton-per-year pellet plant near Millen, Ga. The proposed Ogeechee River Pellet Mill project is scheduled to break ground later this year. READ MORE SHARE
Corinth Wood Pellets takes on expansion project Corinth Wood Pellets in Corinth, Maine, is investing $7 million in a planned expansion project. Operating since 2007, the 70,000-ton-per-year plant was sold in December to the E.J. Carrier Inc., a trucking and forest products company, READ MORE SHARE
ASABE announces international standards project for biomass fuels The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers has announced that the international community has approved a new International Organization for Standardization project to develop a standard for thermally treated and densified biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet Technology USA, ICM enter joint development agreement Pellet Technology USA has entered into an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) joint development agreement with ICM Inc. that will see it become the exclusive contractor for PTUSA in the United States and abroad. READ MORE SHARE
New Harris Poll finds public perception of biomass held steady A recently released Harris Poll addresses public perception of a variety of energy technologies, including biomass energy. The results show that many U.S. adults are unfamiliar with biomass energy and its benefits. READ MORE SHARE
Thermogen switches technology to Zilkha Thermogen Industries, an entity of Cate Street Capital that is developing a pellet manufacturing facility in Millinocket, Maine, has switched technology providers and will now employ Zilkha Biomass Energy's steam-exploded Zilkha Black Pellet process. READ MORE SHARE
EurObserv'ER annual report highlights EU bioenergy sector EurObserv'ER has released the 2013 edition of its annual renewable energy report, which determined that final energy consumption from renewable resources, including biofuels and biomass, increased significantly in 2012. READ MORE SHARE
USDA highlights $33 million in rural business investments A recently released USDA report tells the story of more than $33 million in investments to support rural businesses, infrastructure and housing in 2013. A new interactive website map also features funding information. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: Increase of wood in home heating most notable in Northeast Wood as a main heating source in homes has gained popularity in many areas of the country in recent years, but the increase is most notable in the Northeast. Nationwide, about 2.5 million households use wood as the main source of heat. READ MORE SHARE
Valmet-supplied gasification plant inaugurated in Sweden The Valmet Corp.-supplied gasification plant at GoBiGas (Gothenburg Biomass Gasification Project) was inaugurated on March 12 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The plant will produce gas by gasifying forest residues and wood pellets. READ MORE SHARE
Rentech announces possible IPO, pellet progress and sale of PDU Rentech Inc. has released 2013 financial results, reporting progress with the development of its Canadian pellet plants. The company has also announced an agreement to sell its alternative energy technology assets. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet producers offer insight on 'shortage' Pellet retailers and consumers in some Northeast and Midwest locations have learned a lesson this heating season, as many have run out of pellets and are facing difficulties securing additional supplies. READ MORE SHARE
Minn. bills to incentivize biofuel, biochemicals, biomass thermal Legislation pending in the Minnesota Legislature aims to create a capital equipment loan program renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels, and production incentives for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biomass thermal energy. READ MORE SHARE
Study: Rural economies to benefit from bioenergy According to a new paper authored by two University of Missouri professors, rural regions are poised to benefit from the bioeconomy, which refers to the production of a wide range of goods and services from plant, animal and forest-based material. READ MORE SHARE
Solvay launches production of torrefied biomass Solvay has launched the production of torrefied biomass at an industrial scale in the United States. The business will be run by the recently created Solvay Biomass Energy joint venture between Solvay and U.S. company New Biomass Energy. READ MORE SHARE
USDA awards advanced biofuel payments to pellet, biogas producers On March 6, USDA Rural Development announced nearly $60 million in payments to 195 biofuel producers under the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established by the 2008 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the recently signed 2014 Farm Bill. READ MORE SHARE
Wood pellet boiler research to commence at SUNY The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority awarded the State University of New York Canton a $163,000 to research the efficiency of automatic-feeding, wood pellet boilers. READ MORE SHARE
FutureMetrics suggests 4.3 million homes ripe for pellet heat A new white paper from FutureMetrics LLC makes the case for pellet heat, concluding that not only will buying local for pellet heat lower consumer heat and hot water energy bills, but keep the money in the local economy and create jobs. READ MORE SHARE