ArborGen says US Southeastern energy start-ups aims to use 26 million tons of forest biomass

In Florida, ArborGen, a joint venture formed by Rubicon (NZ), International Paper, and MeadWestvaco said that of 58 energy start ups announced in the Southeast through the end of 2008 would be utilizing 26 million tons of biomass, the equivalent of 26 new paper mills. ArborGen said that 15 million tons represented biomass to power conversion, with the remainder split between wood pellet operations and biofuel conversion.

The company, presenting at the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit, said that it is focusing on eucalyptus in its biomass research efforts, adding that it expected to be able to push the yield of eucalyptus plantations from 0.5 tons per acre with natural regeneration to a range of 18-23 tons per acre through a combination of biomass management and genetic improvement. This equates to an ethanol yield of 1800 to 2300 gallons per acre per year, and would have a cost in the range of $30-$50 per dry ton of biomass.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Michigan has 220,000 tons of forest residues, 500,000 acres of unused land for biofuels and power production, legislature told

In Michigan, the Wolverine Power Cooperative submitted a report to the state's governor and legislature on the potential to produce energy from biomass using idle agricultural land and forest residues...

Japanese researchers say next-gen biomass heaters could save 4.6 million tons of CO2

In Japan, researchers have developed a waste biomass charcoal heater with a thermal efficiency range of 60-81 percent, compared to existing biomass stoves which have a 46-54 percent thermal efficiency...

USDA and DOE announce two new research grant programs for feedstock and biofuel research

In Washington, two research grants have been announced by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Energy. The first, for Plant Feedstock Genomics Research, aims to improve biomass...

Dynamotive signs long-term biomass feedstock contracts in Argentina

In Canada, Dynamotive Energy Systems signed 10-year contracts for 150,000 dry tons of biomass annually, including sawdust and other forest operations residue, as feedstock for its proposed ethanol pla...

India launches review to stimulate investment in biomass-to-power

In India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said that it would commence a formal review of biomass-to-power development constraints and identify new sites for 5-10 MW biomass power projects. Th...

POET targets $30 to $60 per ton payments for corn stover; SynGest aims for $50 per ton for renewable ammonia fertilizer plant

In Iowa, POET confirmed that it is targeting payments to farmers of $30 to $60 per ton for corn stover (cobs and stalk), and said that farmers could increase these payments through the Biomass Crop As...