Canadian Biomass • Spring 2024 • Lifetime Achievement Awards

From the bustling urban landscapes of Singapore to the rugged natural beauty of British Columbia, Rob McCurdy has shaped an industry and spearheaded the global biomass movement. As a visionary whose career has spanned continents and cultures, McCurdy’s story is not just about professional success but a profound commitment to environmental stewardship.

He began his career with a simple yet profound mission: to influence climate change positively through sustainable industrial practices. His leadership at Pinnacle Renewable Resources from 2012 to 2020 was transformational, as he grew the organization from a relatively modest operation into the world’s third-largest producer of industrial wood pellets.

“We took a small two-plant operation in British Columbia and built the company into one of the largest biomass producers in the world,” he said. Under his guidance, Pinnacle not only expanded its capacity but also cemented its status as a key player on the global stage, particularly in the Asian markets. Throughout his tenure, McCurdy’s strategic vision led Pinnacle through significant global expansions, including into new markets like Japan and Korea. Since stepping down as CEO, McCurdy has not slowed down. As the principal consultant at McCurdy Consulting, he continues to play a role in the industry, offering expert advice on everything from site selection to corporate restructuring.

John Swaan is not just an industry pioneer — he also has a cool moniker: “The grandfather of North American wood pellets.”

Swaan’s journey began in 1994 when he founded the Pacific BioEnergy Corporation in Prince George, B.C.

“Desperation during the ‘Livestock Feedmill’ era made pelletizing low-value fibre resources such as sawdust seem like a fix for our financial woes,” he said. “Little did I know, it would set the stage for a multibillion-dollar industry.”

Indeed, Swaan’s venture marked a key shift in the industry when, in 1998, he orchestrated the first trans-ocean shipment of wood pellets from Western Canada to Sweden. This not only established Canada as a leader in wood pellet export but also signaled the birth of a global industry now renowned for its role in CO2 reduction. “Negotiating that first off-take contract was not just a highlight of my career but the beginning of what we know today as the industrial wood pellet market,” said Swaan.

Beyond his entrepreneurial spirit, his tenure as the executive director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) from 2005 to 2009 underscored his commitment to nurturing the industry. In 2013, he continued his mission by joining FutureMetrics, where he shared invaluable insights with stakeholders.

Swaan’s philosophy on success in the biomass industry emphasizes both historical lessons and forward-thinking strategies.

In the realm of commercial and institutional biomass heating systems, Burkhard Fink is a name synonymous with innovation and resilience. With a career spanning two decades, Fink’s groundbreaking work has not only shaped the industry but has also established a sustainable pathway. Fink began his foray into biomass heating out of necessity and ingenuity. Originally a builder of log homes, Fink was vexed by the inefficiencies and costs associated with traditional energy sources.

“I had been building log homes for a number of years and I was frustrated with how we were paying for natural gas as well as paying to get rid of our wood waste. I decided to build my own boiler,” Fink said. This initial step into biomass heating was just the beginning of what would become a transformative journey in the energy sector. That pragmatic approach led him to look overseas for inspiration, which in turn crystallized his vision for Canada’s biomass potential.

“After operating it for a short while I quickly realised that a better solution was out there in Europe,” he said.

This realization paved the way for the development of the first small-scale, for-profit biomass district heating system in Canada — a project accomplished without the aid of grants. This pioneering system became a model, validating the feasibility and efficiency of small-scale district heating systems and inspiring similar initiatives. Fink has installed more than 170 heating systems, collectively generating over 58 megawatts of energy.