Replies to post #10805 on Biomass Secure Power Inc. (BMSPF)

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Article from Argus on 8-19-15 about BMSP and RBE.

North American biomass firms plan bio-coal plant

London, 19 August (Argus) — Canadian pellet producer Biomass Secure Power (BSP) aims to form a joint venture with US firm River Basin Energy (RBE) to build a 500,000 t/yr bio-coal plant at the port of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

The suppliers have signed an initial deal, which indicates that BSP will own at least a 51pc stake in the project.

The facility is scheduled to come on stream in 2017, BSP chief executive Jim Carroll said. "We see Europe as a prime market at present, but we believe that Asia-Pacific will grow into a strong region," he said.

BSP had to delay the construction of its Natchitoches pelletising facility, as currency pressures weighed on offtake negotiations. The complex was expected to comprise three 340,000 t/yr white pellet units.

The company has now shifted its focus to torrefied product. "We will produce bio-coal initially, although we will be able to introduce white pellet output, depending on the market and how we grow," Carroll said.

BSP suspended its original programme owing to a lack of demand, he said, adding that RBE's technology will be used in the new planned operations and that it will have access to bio-coal supply.

Meanwhile, RBE is spearheading an initiative to build a large-scale hub for torrefied biomass at the Europees Massagoed Overslag coal terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

It should be operational by the end of this year, chief executive Andrew Piers said.

A consortium of market participants — including French energy firm Engie subsidiary Laborelec and BS Group, utilities provider to the German city of Braunschweig — is backing the development.

RBE hopes to demonstrate the "interchangeability" of torrefied biomass with coal at the site, by employing logistics already in use in the latter's industry, it said.

Black and torrefied pellets are still poised for mainstream production, with US firm Zilkha Energy aiming to start construction of a 450,000 t/yr plant in Monticello, Arkansas, later this year.

And Norwegian producer Arbaflame is working to establish a 100,000 t/yr facility in the Canadian province of British Columbia to market steam-exploded pellets to Japan.

The product offers similar properties to coal in terms of water resistance, durability, grindability and capital expenditure savings.