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Wood Recycling Hit by Biomass
The amount of waste wood sent to biomass plants continued to see "rapid growth" in 2009 despite the impact of the recession, new figures have shown.
The Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA) - which represents 65 companies in the wood recycling sector - has released its annual ‘Waste Wood to Market Statistics' for 2009 which show that 495,000 tonnes of waste wood was used for biomass/energy, up 33% from 370,000 tonnes the year before.
This follows a 48% increase between 2007 and 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story) and means that biomass now accounts for almost a quarter (23.4%) of the 2,111,000 tonnes of wood recovered in the UK.
In addition, 71,000 tonnes of the 83,000 tonnes of waste wood exported for the year was destined for biomass, the figures show.
At the same time, the proportion of recovered wood sent to panel board manufacturers - while still representing the largest end market, at 50% - fell 5% from 1,126,000 tonnes in 2008 to 1,065,000 tonnes.
This continues an ongoing decline and is likely to increase concern among the panel board industry about increasing competition for woodchip from a sector which it claims can afford to pay more because it receives government subsidies under the Renewables Obligation (RO) (see letsrecycle.com story).
With challenging renewable energy targets looming and many more biomass plants in the pipeline, the WRA said it expected competition for woodchip to increase - but pledged loyalty to its existing customers.
Clem Spencer, WRA chairman, said: "The rapid growth in biomass grade is perhaps even greater than we had anticipated at this stage. The real surge lies ahead, as more large installations come online. Until that happens, we are exporting to divert surpluses away from landfill. When the surge comes, the demand for recycled wood supplies will then be intense, but we will continue to support our valued existing customers."
| 2009 (t) | 2008 (t) | Change (%) | |
| Panel Board | 1,065,000 | 1,126,000 | -5% |
| Biomass/energy | 495,000 | 370,000 | +33% |
| Animal bedding | 360,000 | 350,000 | +3% |
| Mulches and composting | 98,000 | 95,000 | +3% |
| Equine surfaces | 75,000 | 73,000 | +3% |
| Pathways and coverings | 18,000 | 17,000 | +6% |
| Total | 2,111,000 | 2,031,000 | +4% |
| Source: WRA Waste Wood to Market Statistics 2009 | |||
WRA
When looking at the wood recycling market overall, the figures show there was only a modest 4% rise in output from 2,031,000 tonnes in 2008 to 2,111,000 tonnes in 2009.
After panel board and biomass, the biggest market for recovered wood was animal bedding, at 360,000 tonnes (17% of the market), mulches, soil conditioner and composting at 98,000 tonnes (5%) and equine surfaces at 75,000 tonnes (3.5%). Pathways and coverings accounted for the smallest volume of recovered wood, at 18,000 tonnes (0.8%).
But, the WRA took comfort in the fact that outputs by WRA members increased by 12% - from 1,530,000 tonnes in 2008 to 1,712,000 tonnes in 2009. The proportion of material sent by these companies to the panelboard industry also rose 7%, from 797,000 tonnes to 856,000 tonnes.
Mr Spencer said: "The WRA is delighted with these figures. Membership of our Association has risen sharply in the past 18 months, and the addition of so many new members is reflected in this excellent result, achieved in the teeth of a major recession.
"The WRA share of the market increased from 75% to 81% in 2009, and membership continues to grow strongly. I believe that the case for wood recyclers to join our Association is now more compelling than ever."
The figures were compiled using data supplied by WRA members and the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF).
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