Weyerhaeuser helps to produce wood biofuel for military jets

Leading US forest product company Weyerhaeuser is participating in research aimed at producing jet biofuel from wood.

The five-year research programme, led by Washington State University, is to receive US$40m of grants from the US government. It aims to address the urgent need for a domestic biofuel alternative for US commercial and military air fleets.

The consortium, called the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance, envisages developing a viable aviation fuel using wood and wood waste in the Pacific north-west, where forests cover almost half the region.

Weyerhaeuser will focus on determining the feasibility of sustainable production of woody feedstock for use in biofuel and understanding how to more cost-effectively collect the under-utilised material.

It will also explore ways to convert woody biomass lignin components into value-added bio products. Lignin, a natural polymer, is currently used for green energy or as a cement additive.

This development of new co-products is designed to increase the profitability of wood-based fuels.