Mitsubishi Corporation, Weyerhaeuser to Explore Strategic Biomass-to-Energy Venture
02 February 2010
Mitsubishi Corporation and Weyerhaeuser Company signed a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the possibilities of collaborating in the biomass-to-energy business.
The companies are specifically interested in assessing the feasibility of jointly investing in and operating a commercial-scale bio-pellet production facility in the United States by 2011. Depending on the success of the joint feasibility study, more facilities could follow in addition to the initial production facility, in aspiration to become a world class bio-pellet producer.
The bio-pellets will be produced using wood based biomass, targeted from US-sourced sustainably managed forest resources or by-products and sold to utilities and industrial users for energy production.
The agreement signals the belief of both companies that there are existing and emerging opportunities in an expanding bio-energy market. The MOU leverages the strengths of both companies: Weyerhaeuser’s capacity to produce renewable biomass at scale from its sustainably managed forests and Mitsubishi Corporation’s worldwide network and experience in the energy sector and bio-pellet manufacturing business. Mitsubishi Corporation currently operates two bio-pellet facilities in Japan and is also actively involved in the management of Vis Nova Trading GmbH, a major producer of bio-pellets in Germany.
Bio-pellets are a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel made from biomass, which can include by-products from forest management. The biomass is compressed and molded into small, cylindrical pellets. Co-firing bio-pellets with thermal coal has proved effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at coal-fired power plants.
All auto companies should consider joint ventures to make fuel, it has been shown that they can not depend on oil companies to provide stable prices and fuel is a key factor in sales. If they worked with forest and farm sources for biomass they could make M100 for M85 to run in their FFVs.
Posted by: SJC | 02 February 2010 at 10:46 AM
Correct. One reason why GM has been investing in Coskata cellulosic biofuel. This is the sector where a lot of new jobs COULD be developed. Right now there is a tiny cellulosic industry just beginning. Converting biomass to these kinds of pellets could be a good small business for people living near forest product, energy crop areas.
The Administration could push this along by offering SBA loans specific to cellulosic projects. Using USDA to identify likely biomass partners for cellulosic entrepreneurs. Here's a list of hot biofuel companies:
http://xrl.in/4ep0
Posted by: sulleny | 02 February 2010 at 11:29 AM
You have it right on sulleny, this IS the area to concentrate on. Lots of farmers with lots of cellulose and whether it is fermented or gasified, it represents a LOT of fuel.
The plants could be built for 10% of what we spend in Iraq each year and I would recommend that is what we do with the money when we get out. It has a nice symmetry to it.
Posted by: SJC | 02 February 2010 at 02:10 PM