How much biomass is needed for the production of synthetic biofuels?
Some 65,000 dry tons of wood are needed per year for the operation of our Beta plant at Freiberg, Germany. This consists of recycled wood, low-quality industrial wood, and sawmill byproducts. Some 1 million dry tons of wood will be needed per year for the operation of a Sigma plant. Alongside local raw materials, imported recycled wood and forest wood will also be processed in the initial phase. The plant will initially not be designed to process straw, as this would require a higher technology input; however, it can be retrofitted to allow this. Given the current cost structure for long-distance transportation, the use of raw materials from other continents is only likely to be considered in exceptional circumstances, since wood produced in the region will be considerably cheaper when cost of delivery to the plant is included.
