In the course of this joint research, they will install demonstration facilities in Thailand for the production of woody biomass fuel or “torrefied pellets” using torrefaction technology along with the woody biomass resources that PPPC possesses.

Torrefied pellets are superior to pellets made with only woody biomass (white pellets) or woody chips both in terms of water resistance and grindability. The increased density of energy leads to benefits such as reduced logistics costs.

Nippon Paper Industries has decided to begin demonstrative production on a scale of 8,000 tonnes per year in collaboration with PPPC. It will use the accumulated torrefaction technology and ultimately aim to commercialise it for market release.

The demonstration facilities for production will be installed on the premises of the PPPC mill in the Northeastern region of Thailand. They will utilise woody biomass as a raw material from the company-contracted forested site nearby.

The facilities will begin production of torrefied pellets in spring 2017, with the plan being to ascertain the potential for commercialisation around the end of December of the same year after a mixed combustion experiment with a pulverised-coal boiler at Kushiro Mill in Kushiro, Japan.

Nippon Paper Industries envisages installing commercial production facilities with a yearly production capacity of 80,000 tonnes when |commercialisation is realised. It will also do market research in Asia with Mitsui & Co while demonstrative experiments are being conducted.

There is a global demand for woody biomass fuel as a renewable energy source that can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. Domestic demand is also becoming higher in Japan.