future, and that 62% were open to the idea of using biomass for energy. However, the respondents had three prerequisites: that it not upset current markets, that a profit could be made and that it does not harm the environment (soil, water and wildlife). “The money question,” said Volsky, “was would they be willing to participate in management activities geared towards bio-mass production? And only 51% said yes.” “Therefore, further education and out-reach is needed to sway public opinion.” The final presenter of the session was Jonathan Rager from Pöyry Management Consulting on how to determine if a bio-mass plant is a viable business model and what can be done to optimize it. According to Rager, with the biomass pellet market poised to triple (or quadru-ple) within the next 10 years, there are four easy steps that any supplier or consumer can take. First is to know the entire market value chain, from output to input, and expand into non-traditional product development, for example, soy-based bio-foam, to help foster dynamic growth. The second step is to maximize the supply chain and decrease the costs of transporting your feed streams. Next is to rank the technological innova-tions that your company/plant has access to using a metric and to determine if those specific improvements are needed. “The final step, and most important,” said Rager, is to determine “how to foster and utilize winning partnerships and rela-tionships within your business.” “You need to identify potential and at-tractive partnerships, evaluate their poten-tial and screen them for the best fit to your business model.” According to Rager, once all those steps are complete, you will have a suitable base upon which to build, expand and promote your biomass.• For more than 50 years, M-E-C has used its Total System Approach to design, manufacture and service over 560 dryer systems worldwide. Visit us online at www.m-e-c.com to view our products and services. Call today to learn more about M-E-C Dryer Systems. PO Box 330, 1402 West Main St., Neodesha, Kansas 66757, USA T: 620-325-2673 F: 620-325-2678 www.m-e-c.com [email protected] YOUR TOTAL BIOMASS PELLETING SOLUTION Grinding—Pelleting—Cooling From start to finish, CPM specializes in total solutions for superior production levels of high-quality pellets. The latest technology. The highest-quality pellet mills and dies. Efficient and economical. Built to run 24/7 in the toughest conditions. For high-capacity wood and biomass pellet production, low energy consumption and superior pellet quality, look to Your Partner in Productivity. Look to CPM . 800-366-2563 WWW.CPM.NET @CPMRoskamp CPM Roskamp Champion | 319-232-8444 WATERLOO, IA 26 Canadian BIOMASS MARCH/APRIL 2012
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