December 4, 2015

In this Week's Pellet Wire:



December 18: Deadline Approaching to Submit Topics for PFI Annual Conference

Abstracts are due soon for the 2016 PFI Annual Conference. This conference is an opportunity for pellet manufacturers and others involved in the industry to explore in-depth topics of interest, helping you plan your business and stay ahead of industry trends. It’s also a chance to connect with potential customers. 

PFI is accepting abstracts for the following categories:

1. New Market Opportunities and Perspective (assessment of potential business opportunities for pellet manufacturers nationally and internationally, barriers to new market development)

2. Maximizing Pellet Operations (to include safety practices at the plant, improving specific aspects of production, best practices in operation, developing contracts, federal regulatory compliance, etc.)

3. The Global Pellet Market (e.g. economic impact, understanding the global supply chain, global concerns for existing and future pellet manufacturers, sustainability requirements, policy implications etc.)

4. New Developments within the Industry (new technology, safety training tools, innovative design, etc.)

5. Sustainability of Wood Pellets (meeting global sustainability requirements, developing a sustainable supply chain, etc.)

6. Open Category (for all proposals outside the scope of the above categories)

Submit an abstract today by completing the online RFP form. All submissions must be received by Friday, December 18, 2015.

More information on the Call for Speaker Abstracts, including submission instructions can be found on PFI's website.

About the PFI Annual ConferenceThe PFI Annual Conference will be held July 24-26 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. The conference highlights the various applications of densified biomass, as well as trends and best practices within the densified biomass industry. It attracts a broad range of individuals from the public and private sectors, academia, and local, state and national governments from North America and beyond. The conference features two days of educational sessions as well as industry exhibits, extensive networking opportunities and a golf tournament. Conference registration opens in 2016. 


 


Don't Forget to Renew Your PFI Membership Before the New Year

At its most recent meeting, the PFI Board approved the 2016 membership dues rates, which can be found on the PFI website. You may renew your membership with PFI now by visiting our online renewal page or you may contact the PFI office and process your renewal via email ([email protected]) or phone (206-209-5277). Your 2015 membership expires on December 31, so be sure to renew soon so you can continue to take advantage of the benefits of PFI membership.

Not a member of PFI? We encourage you to commit to joining the association in 2016. There are a number of opportunities for you to be involved in PFI’s initiatives in the year ahead and to benefit directly from PFI’s advocacy of policy makers and end users on your behalf.  When we are united as an industry, we will have more success seeing the regulatory and legislative outcomes that will benefit all of us. Read more about how membership in PFI benefits your business. 

Questions?  Please contact the PFI office at [email protected] or 206-209-5277.


 


PFI 2016 Sponsorship

PFI invites you to become a 2016 Sponsor! This year, we have developed a new sponsorship program that will create multiple opportunities for your company in the year ahead. Your company will have great visibility at PFI events, on the PFI website, and in the PFI newsletter, amongst other benefits, while enjoying year-long sponsorship of PFI and its programs.

The 2016 Sponsorship packages include benefits such as:

  • PFI Annual Conference registrations
  • Breakfast & Biomass registrations
  • Company logo listed on the PFI website
  • 10x10 booth at the PFI Annual Conference
  • Newsletter advertising
  • Website advertising
  • And more!

PFI's membership includes over 100 member companies, and our electronic newsletter is sent to over 3,500 people every week. Now is the time to become a sponsor of this organization. Visit our website to explore how you can become involved.



Remember to Sign Up for Breakfast & Biomass

The annual Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo will take place March 17-19 in New Orleans, LA.

Registration is open for Breakfast & Biomass, PFI’s annual event at the expo where we will address the latest trends and issues of importance to pellet fuels manufacturers, retailers and suppliers. Join us on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 7:30am in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event will include industry reports, networking opportunities and a full breakfast.

The PFI Conference Committee is at work on the program and an agenda will be circulated soon. Please visit PFI’s website for more information or to register for the $35 breakfast. 


Upcoming Industry Events 

  • February 24-26, 2016: World Sustainable Energy Days 2016
  • March 18, 2016: Breakfast & Biomass
  • July 24-26, 2016: PFI Annual Conference

Connect with PFI

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Fuel Availability

Are you a PFI member pellet manufacturer or distributor that has fuel available? Email [email protected] to have your listing updated or added to the PFI website.


Industry News

Biomass future a burning problem for farmers
Stockton Record
When air quality cops outlawed most open burning on San Joaquin Valley farmland a decade ago, their belief was that biomass power plants would be a viable alternative.

Dead trees or other agricultural waste could be trucked to the nearest plant, burned and converted into energy. From a public health perspective, it was the cleanest solution.

But for some farmers today, especially those whose orchards have been ravaged by drought, it’s hardly a solution at all.

Read the Full Article


Bioenergy projects receive DOE ARPA-E grants
Biomass Magazine
U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has announced that the U.S. DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has awarded $125 million to 41 energy technology projects, four of which involve bioenergy or biomass.

According to program criteria, the projects selected for funding will pursue novel approaches to energy innovation across the full spectrum of energy applications. Approximately 36 percent are being led by universities, 39 percent by small businesses, 10 percent by large businesses, 10 percent by national labs, and 5 percent by nonprofits, according to the DOE.

Read the Full Article


BBI announces Global Pellet Market Outlook Summit
Biomass Magazine
BBI International has announced the Global Pellet Market Outlook Summit as a pre-conference seminar for the 2016 International Biomass Conference & Expo. The event will take place April 11 at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Global Pellet Market Outlook Summit will offer attendees a one-day, intensive exploration of the biomass industry’s most dynamic market segment. Fueled by global policies aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of energy products, the market for wood pellets has grown steadily since the early 2000s.

Read the Full Article


Rentech restarts Wawa plant, achieves record week at Atikokan
Biomass Magazine
Rentech Inc. has released operational updates on its Canadian pellets plants. According to the company, the Wawa, Ontario, plant is back online, while the Atikokan, Ontario, facility recently achieved record weekly production volumes.

According to Rentech, the Wawa plant resumed pellet production on Nov. 13. Pellet shipments to the port of Quebec for delivery to Drax were resumed the following day.

Read the Full Article

 

Pellet Fuels Institute |  [email protected]   | 703.522.6778