New solvay JV produces torrefied biomass

Solvay, a renewable technology company, says it has produced industrial-scale volumes of torrefied biomass.

The new business will be run by the recently established Solvay Biomass Energy, a joint venture between Solvay and the US company New Biomass Energy (NBE).

The torrefied biomass is being produced at NBE's facility in Quitman, Mississippi. Current production of 80,000 tonnes per year will be ramped up by the end of 2014 to 250,000 tonnes. Solvay is also working to improve the water repellent properties of torrefied biomass to further enhance its storage and handling properties.

'This new business has a two-fold objective. On the one hand, to offer solutions to utilities and energy companies, allowing them to lower the cost of using biomass in their plants, and in parallel to expand our access to biomass and to create new bio-sourced applications,' says Philippe Rosier, president of Solvay Energy Services.

The biomass used will be sourced from by-products, such as sawmill residues from the timber industry.