barriers for biomass products and end-uses

Steve Hunt (Bio Global Industries Ltd.) discusses the barriers for biomass products and end-uses at the Biomass Connect Demonstration Event at the Newcastle Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub.Theme 3: Biomass products and end-usesThere was on display a range of biomass products including fencing poles from black locust, Miscanthus bedding materials, compost, willow, wood chip, briquettes, and pellets. Discussion focused on these products, markets, challenges and opportunities and future uses of biomass.Steve Hunter from Bio Global Industries (BGI) provided a summary of the group discussion, noting that:a major barrier was finding markets for biomass products. With woodchip, there is a limited market, mainly local biomass stations, or biomass boilers, and very few local markets. Miscanthus is mostly used for animal bedding and supplied to specific boilers that can utilise the material. smallholder farmers find it difficult to tie in with industry, who require large volumes of biomass. It’s a chicken and egg situation, as markets and alternative end-uses of biomass products are needed to encourage the growing of biomass crops.