New Energy Risk (NER), a provider of customised insurance solutions for energy technologies, has expanded its existing partnership with Yilkins, a developer of modular biomass upgrading equipment, to extend coverage under its master policy to Yilkins' pellet torrefaction process.
The move builds on a collaboration between the two companies dating back to 2023. Yilkins' torrefaction technology applies thermal treatment to conventional wood pellets, increasing their energy density and hydrophobicity while improving transport and downstream conversion efficiency. The technology can be retrofitted onto existing white pellet production facilities as a "bolt-on" upgrade, allowing producers to enhance their output without overhauling operations.
The upgraded pellets are aimed at higher-value, lower-carbon applications including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biofuels and renewable chemicals. By providing insurance backing for the process, NER said the expanded coverage is intended to de-risk deployment and improve the bankability of projects using the technology.
George Schulz, CEO of NER, said the expanded coverage for Yilkins reflected the company's commitment to supporting customers' long-term growth and new pathways for decarbonisation, adding that Yilkins had shown a strong technical and commercial approach translating into business momentum.
Rob Voncken, CEO of Yilkins, called the expansion a significant validation of the company's pellet torrefaction technology, saying NER's support would help accelerate global deployment while enabling customers to upgrade biomass residues into higher-quality feedstocks for sustainable fuels and other low-carbon applications.
New Energy Risk expands insurance coverage for Yilkins’ pellet torrefaction technology
