| Project Name: | Converting forestry by-products into value-added products |
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| BPA Number: | 24300 |
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Summary of Project and Key Findings:
The Converting forestry by-products into value-added products study has successfully completed assessments on the costs and practicalities of collecting forest residues, on developing plants for two end-use options produced from forest residues and other low-grade wood, on the available plant technology options, and on market research of the end products.
The key findings from the study are that the post-harvest residues product is suitable for the end-uses investigated. The residue recovery trial quantified the cost of collecting residues from the cutover and from landings, with both being a considerably more expensive resource than using the low-grade pulp logs that are routinely harvested. The project also assessed the quality of the hog fuel samples indicating that there should be no issue with using this material as is, for industrial boiler applications.
The project assessed the technoeconomic of previously identified process/product options. One of these options was not recommended as it was considered risky from a market perspective despite a positive return on capital employed (ROCE) due to competitive alternative products and other market limitations. The other option was considered sufficiently positive to warrant further investigation into market development opportunities, and refining development and operational costs. The two location options for the plant had similar ROCE results but with different drivers of cost. The selection of which may be the preferred location would depend on matters outside of this study, including the potential for geothermal heat, and the distance to greater technical support, and to the forest feedstock.
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