As the biofuel and bioenergy climate grows in the US, the search for suitable feedstocks to power the industry has become increasingly critical. Wood waste, or woody biomass, has moved into the spotlight as an advanced feedstock to meet increasing demand.
California Moves to Designate Forest Waste as Feedstocks
The state of California has expressed a concerted interest in focusing on the use of forest waste and residues as a major source of bioenergy.
California’s legislative body recently proposed designating forest waste biomass feedstocks as an identified source for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The LCFS aims to decrease the overall carbon emissions within California’s transportation fueling structure. The standard compiles a range of renewable and lower-carbon alternative options that can replace traditional fossil fuels.
The shifting perspective aims to incentivize the use of forest waste biomass derived from high-priority wildfire prevention and forest rejuvenation practices. Woody biomass cleared from these operations can be converted into advanced feedstock.
Additionally, other byproducts within the forest industry may bring potential into this feedstock market. Crude tall oil (CTO), created during pulp and paper production, is one example. If leveraged strategically, this material also shows immense opportunity to meet increasing feedstock demands.
Related: Crude Tall Oil’s Opportunity Around EU’s Anti-Dumping Ruling on China
US Government Highlights Forest Waste’s Potential
Like California, the US government’s Billion Ton Report underscores the vast potential of waste forestry biomass in its role as a substantial source of bioenergy. Using woody biomass provides a highly renewable source to meet the rising biofuel and energy demands.
Harvesting forest waste benefits renewable initiatives in two ways:
- Harvesting woody biomass aids in wildfire prevention and habitat/ecosystem restoration. Removing woody biomass on the forest floor reduces the catastrophic effects of wildfires in forestlands. This work also helps to restore natural ecosystems that may be overgrown with underbrush and other previous effects of forestry.
- Use of woody biomass directly aids in climate mitigation efforts. Improved efficiency and advancement in forestry makes woody biomass an immensely renewable advanced feedstock. Promoting the use of this material contributes to broader renewability goals.
The report also advocates for increased support for the development of advanced biofuels, including those derived from forestry sources. The strategy aims to maximize the value of forest biomass while encouraging further innovation across the bioenergy sector.
High Costs Affect US Production Capacity
Despite these promising developments, the US is not yet in a position to accommodate the feedstock demands of European biofuel production. The capital-intensive nature of this industry must hasten its development to stay on track to meet demands for growing sectors such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). But the cost-versus-returns differential continues to present a barrier to that progress.
The only way to accomplish such lofty goals will come through innovative, solutions-based thinking on how to overcome the financial gap. According to a report from Prima CarbonZero’s Green Diesel North America analyst team, companies must explore data-driven, creative pathways to improve financial outcomes:
“Producers are trying to find innovative ways of bridging the financing gap between the cost of production and the limited renewable fuel returns on offer, for example by slicing the carbon profiles of fuels produced from pathways equipped with carbon sequestration to optimize the sale of carbon credentials into the highest paying uses, whether mandated or discretionary.”
Innovation Will Drive New Pathways in Biofuels
While challenges persist, there is certainly no shortage of potential and innovation in the forestry biomass market. Industry participants, together with government support, are actively seeking to address these challenges.
The aim is to transform the industry into a robust, sustainable and profitable sector. Successfully incorporating this change in forestry and the biofuels and feedstocks market could be another breakthrough step in meeting our collective renewable energy goals.