Empowering the next generation of forestry leaders
Thursday 5 Feb 2026
The WIDE Trust proudly supported emerging forestry and
bioeconomy professionals at two of New Zealand’s leading industry
events last year: the Residues2Revenues 2025
Conference and the inaugural Bioeconomy Innovations
2025 Conference, held in Rotorua on 21-22 October 2025. These
events brought together nearly 300 delegates from science, industry, and
government to explore the latest innovations for extracting energy and
value from wood fibres and biowaste.
Spotlight on Innovation: The Rotorua Bioeconomy Hub
A highlight of the conferences was the official announcement of the $63
million Bio Factory research facility, scheduled to open next year at
the Rotorua Campus of the Bioeconomy Science Institute. This commercial-scale facility will convert low-value wood, food waste, and animal by-products into high-value chemicals, glues, and bioplastics, supporting
both innovation and sustainability in New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
The Bio Factory aims to; (1) Identify new opportunities in wood fibre, pulp, biopolymer, packaging, and biochemical industries; (2) Increase New Zealand’s energy security by leveraging forest and waste biomass for bioenergy.
Adding to the excitement, Hon Simon Watts, Minister for Energy, released
the Government Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan, signalling a
national commitment to boosting biomass as a renewable energy source.
Insights from Global and Local Experts
The conferences featured over 32 presentations and 16 panel Q&A
sessions, offering delegates insights on:
- Regional forest biomass supply and demand
- Biomass resource pricing and market options
- Wood chipping and grinding innovations
- Residues recovery and logistics
- Development of new bio-products and bioenergy hubs
WIDE Trust-Supported Young Professionals
Three young professionals attended the conferences thanks to WIDE Trust
sponsorship, gaining invaluable experience:
- Archie Woodhouse – Bioeconomy Innovations 2025. Archie
explored how forest resources can be converted into high-value products,
highlighting the potential of the Bio Factory to drive commercialisation
of advanced biochemicals and biomaterials.
- Liam Gilroy – Residues-to-Revenues 2025. Liam gained insights
into biomass as an energy source, including the use of torrefied pellets
and biochar, and the importance of domestic processing to strengthen New
Zealand’s forestry sector.
- Natarsha O’Flaherty – Residues-to-Revenues 2025.
Natarsha reflected on the phrase “a tree is a battery with
bark”, emphasising the role of biomass in supporting regional
energy, sustainability, and decarbonisation, inspired by government and
industry initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Residues2Revenues and Bioeconomy Innovations conferences
reinforced that New Zealand’s forestry and bioeconomy sectors are
evolving beyond traditional timber exports. Delegates explored how
innovative processing, emerging technologies, and high-value bio-products can:
- Drive economic resilience in the forestry sector
- Support decarbonisation of industrial heat and energy
generation
- Strengthen regional economies and create new industries
- Contribute to a circular, sustainable bioeconomy
WIDE Trust is proud to sponsor the next generation of forestry and
bioeconomy leaders, giving them hands-on experience with cutting-edge
innovation and strategies that are shaping New Zealand’s
sustainable future.
Source: WIDE Trust
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