From fibre to fuel: Finding more value in wood residues [AU]Friday 16 Oct 2026
The presentations covered a wide range of technologies and potential end uses, from aviation fuels to renewable carbon for steelmaking. While the opportunities are considerable, so too is the challenge of turning promising technologies into commercially viable operations. From aviation fuel to green steel HAMR Energy outlined plans to turn plantation residues into methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), while BioCarbon presented its GreenChar technology, designed to replace fossil coke in steelmaking. Other presentations looked at how processes such as pyrolysis and carbonisation can produce several valuable outputs from the same feedstock, including biochar, industrial heat and carbon removal credits. The idea is simple enough: rather than relying on a single product, operators may be able to build a stronger business case by getting more out of the material they already have. Making the most of the material Of course, getting value from residues isn't just about developing new products. There's also the practical work of getting the material ready to use. Modern boiler systems can burn high-moisture woodchips to supply industrial heat, while improvements in drying, densification, storage and handling are helping make variable residue streams more manageable. These may not be the most eye-catching parts of the biomass story, but they can make a real difference to whether a project stacks up. That commercial question ran through much of the discussion. Having the technology is one thing; securing a dependable supply of feedstock, keeping transport and handling costs under control, and demonstrating genuine carbon benefits are all part of making a project work at scale. Residues2Revenues returns to New Zealand in 2027, with Rotorua set to host the next event, before the series heads back to Australia in 2028. Source and image credit: Innovatek | ||
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