Biomass emerging as a market for wood chips

Opportunity could be knocking on the door of tree care contractors interested in profiting from the biomass business, but there are plenty of pieces of the puzzle that need to fit together to produce income-generating results.

“The biomass growth cycle for the tree care industry is just beginning,” says Mark Rieckhoff, RDO Equipment Company sales manager. “I believe tree care contractors have a chance to do well in this market. It could turn into a solid alternative profit center.”

Suggestions

Burning wood as a fuel source for heat, electricity and steam power has been around for a long time. In the past few years, however, as the number of plants that use biomass as a fuel source has grown, more opportunities have been created for the tree care industry to market its by-products, such as wood chips, to meet the increased demand.

“Many in the tree care industry struggle at times to get rid of chips cost-effectively,” says Rieckhoff. “Some pay to take the material to landfills, others give it away to landscapers to use as mulch and some just dump it on the back 40.”

“When a new biomass plant is in the planning stage, there is about an 18-to-24 month window before it is going to be up online,” says Rieckhoff. “Don’t wait until production starts; get to know the buyers and start building a relationship with them. This will enable you to understand what it is going to take to produce the product they will be buying. Make sure you are the contractor that can deliver the product they want.”

Rieckhoff notes that there is a lot of information available; you have to take the time to research the opportunities.

You can visit with a Vermeer dealer to discuss biomass equipment options. They can help guide you in your decision as to whether it may be beneficial to consider additional equipment such as a trommel screen to size the chips to meet the specified end product.

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