Natural State Renewables (NSR) is pioneering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production using surplus forest biomass, aiming to decarbonise air travel while supporting forest health and local economies. Clay Marbry, senior vice president of project development at NSR, discussed the environmental, economic and technological aspects of the company’s approach.
Marbry explained that NSR focuses on surplus forest biomass, including logging slash and pre-commercial thinnings, which otherwise lack economic value.
“On the environmental front, there are two main benefits – decarbonising air travel and maintaining healthy forests. Since decarbonisation will be well understood, I will address forest health.
“With reduction in paper use globally, slash and pre-commercial thinnings do not have an economic home. As a result, thinnings are often left to rot, producing CO2 emissions and an environment conducive for wood destroying insects. By providing economic use for thinnings, the American forests can be managed to ensure their health.”
From an economic standpoint, Marbry highlighted the opportunity presented by abundant,...
Natural State Renewables advances SAF from forest biomass
