European energy companies are showing increased interest in sourcing biomass from the southern US, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review.
The publication predicts demand for wood chips and pellets will increase substantially in Europe over the next 10 years, as the cost of locally sourced biomass on the Continent increases.
The southern US is regarded as a top target because the region has a stable supply of pulpwood (seven pulp mills), a well-functioning infrastructure and competitive wood fibre costs compared to most other markets in the world.
The areas of southern Georgia, south-east Alabama and northern Florida are regarded as wood fibre hotspots because of the large number of wood to energy facilities being developed there.
