Woody residue utilization for bioenergy by primary forest products manufacturers: An exploratory analysis

For countries, such as the United States, where one-third of the land area is covered with forests, production of woody biomass-based bioenergy can help lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, mitigate climate change impacts, and improve energy security. This study involved an exploratory analysis of how current woody residue utilization as well as willingness to use, pay for, and haul additional logging residues varied among mills representing different primary forest products manufacturer types and different processing capacities. A four-contact mail survey was sent in 2012 to 2138 mills in the southern United States. The study used nonparametric independent sample test and analysis of variances to make comparative and explanatory inferences. Approximately 70% of mills utilized woody residues for bioenergy purposes and 11% were willing to utilize additional logging residues to produce electricity. Mills were willing to pay US$11.58/green tonne (t) (2012 dollars) of logging residues at the mill gate. Mills already utilizing woody residues for bioenergy were more likely to improve their utilization, especially those with existing woody residue processing capacities of 1000 to 6000 t/month. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills and composite wood product mills were the largest woody residues utilizers and were willing to increase use, pay more, and haul additional logging residues over longer distances. These results will be helpful in identifying mills most suitable for increasing utilization of woody residues, guiding investment decisions regarding retrofitting and constructing new facilities for production of bioenergy, and formulating future policies related to biomass-based energy production.