COMMENT/IN THIS ISSUE INDUSTRY NEWS Editorial comment T


his magazine has accepted an invitation to become the media partner for ‘Bioenergy from Forest’ an international confer- ence organised by Benet Ltd at the Marina Congress Center in Helsinki, Finland, from 15-18 September, 2014 (see page 12),


and supported by the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM). In a previous statement, the Association has argued that demand for wood generates investment in forest management and new forest plan- tations. The forest stock in Europe is steadily increasing. In the last 20 years, the European carbon stock increased by 26% due to an increased forest area and harvesting at levels well below the annual growth (only 63% of the annual growth is harvested). Statistics show steadily growing forests, although the use of bioenergy has been increasing at the same time. The situation in South-East USA is similar. This means a signifi cant carbon stock has been built up. Without wood demand and income for forest owners, forests would be neglected with smaller productivity due to maturation and higher risks of forest fi res. Forest management and thinnings are vital for forest health, productivity and fi re and pest prevention.


According to AEBIOM, biomass relies on sustainable forest manage- ment and does not mean over-exploitation of the forests nor the use of high value round wood. Most forest biomass is produced from material that would have no other use such as sawmill residues, forest thinnings and forest wastes such as tops, branches and low quality logs left over after higher quality timber has been removed.


The statement concluded that whilst it is reasonable that protected areas should be set aside, there must always be a working forest to produce materials and energy. It is, however, the forest industry’s responsibility to ensure that woody biomass is produced sustainably ac- cording to strict principles that can be independently verifi ed. This is the only way to achieve sustainability and maintain healthy forests whilst generating a sensible level of income.


Now moving from its previous venue in Jyväskylä to Finland’s capital, Helsinki, ‘Biomass from Forest’ will include topics that refl ect these aims, including biomass policies, markets and sustainability, and forest biomass resources and production.


David Young Editor


FOREST BIOENERGY REVIEW Volume 4, Number 20 - January 2014 Contact information


PUBLISHER &


EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vince Maynard KVJ Enterprises Tralee, Hillcrest Road,


Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6JS, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724 Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 002286 Email:


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EDITOR David Young


Tel: +44 (0) 1737 551687 Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 796826 ISSN 2045-8514


REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Einar Johansson


Mobile: +46 70 234 80 85 Email: einar.johansson@telia.com


PRODUCTION Anthony Wiffen Anton Print Solutions Tel: +44 (0) 1622 850063 Mobile: +44 (0) 7557 280 769 Email: anton_print_1@mac.com


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Tel: +44 (0) 1323 514400 EVENTS Conferences and exhibitions past and future 10 12


In this issue INDUSTRY NEWS


What’s happening in the world of forest bioenergy? BIOMASS CONVERSION


2 4 New biomass facilities launched at Drax power station


4 AEBIOM


Statistics for European Bioenergy Outlook LOGISTICS


Forestry work is 24/7 with Scania transport FIELD TRIAL


Lignin modifi ed poplar trees MATERIALS HANDLING


Cooper plans for growth PRODUCTS


Introducing new equipment and services 5 6 8 8 10


12


Front cover: Picture of Scania R 730 6x4 Streamline timber truck with trailer taken by Dan Boman in Ljusdal, Sweden, on 19 August, 2013 – see page 6.


January 2014 1 1


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