|This message contains images. If you don't see images, click here to view.|
Advertise in this news brief.
Emerald ash borer will feed on other trees, too
The emerald ash borer (EAB) was first detected in Michigan in the early 2000s. It on feeds ash and other trees and originates from China and southeastern Asia. This beetle is believed to have arrived in the U.S. and Canada regions through wood packing materials and it has done extensive damage in the last fifteen years since its arrival in Northern parts of the American continent. Unfortunately, it has been discovered that the EAB is not limited to feeding only on ash trees.
| Share this article:
Process converts biomass waste into lucrative chemical products
A new catalytic process is able to convert lignin — once considered biomass waste — into lucrative chemical products that can be used in fragrances, flavorings or to create high-octane fuel for racecars and jets.
A team of researchers from Purdue University’s Center for Direct Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels, or C3Bio, has developed a process that uses a chemical catalyst and heat to spur reactions that convert lignin into valuable chemical commodities.
Construction payment structure and risk simplified
By Nate Budde
Construction projects have an interesting and unique payment structure. The credit-heavy nature and the routine, but unfortunate, lack of visibility throughout a project make payment issues of paramount importance for parties at both the top and the bottom of the payment chain. Historically, participants in the construction industry have had a remarkably challenging time getting paid (for those at the bottom of the payment chain), or properly controlling payments (for those at the top). And, because the construction industry is a credit-heavy market, it is easy to see why.
Boeing, Embraer open biofuel research center
A new research center will look to establish the aviation biofuels industry in Brazil. Aviation manufacturers Boeing and Embraer opened a joint sustainable aviation biofuel research center in the South American country.
Good signs for housing in 2015
U.S. News & World Report (opinion)
Housing and jobs are strongly connected. When the economy is expanding, job creation promotes household formation, which in turn increases demand for rental and owner-occupied housing. Other economic drivers of housing include population growth, the need to replace or improve existing housing stock and regional population changes.
Scientists degrade nappies using mushrooms
Scientists in Mexico City have created a novel way to reduce diaper waste, using hay and mushroom seeds and recycling the plastic and gel found inside what is traditionally a wasteful, but essential, item for babies and mothers.
It's a quandary for all parents of young children — all those used diapers that end up in the landfill.
2014 job growth in construction-related industries
The Magazine of the American Institute of Architects
The 2014 jobs numbers are in. Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and payroll company ADP and Moody's Analytics both released the final monthly jobs reports for the year, capping out the first complete data sets on employment growth over the calendar year. So was it a good year or a bad year? There are a couple of things to keep in mind.
Miss an issue of The Forest Products Report?|
Click here to visit The Forest Products Report archive page.
US pellet company chooses ORC for biomass plant
Maine Woods Pellet Company is building a biomass-fired power plant in Athens, Maine, and has chosen Turboden to supply what will be the world's largest biomass-based Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).
Maine Woods Pellet owns and operates a wood pellet production facility. This plant can produce up to 100,000 tons per year of wood pellets for the bulk and bagged fuel markets, making it the largest pellet manufacturer in the state.
Argonne model analyzes biofuel impacts
A new version of an online tool created by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will help biofuels developers gain a detailed understanding of water consumption of various types of feedstocks, aiding development of sustainable fuels that will reduce impact on limited water resources.
The newest version of the Water Assessment for Transportation Energy Resources was released recently, and for the first time allows biofuels manufacturers to analyze water consumption associated with use of cellulosic feedstocks such as residue left from lumber production and other wood-based resources.
Wisconsin's wood product sales growing overseas
Wisconsin trade officials have developed a marketing aid to help forest product producers sell overseas. Jen Pino-Gallagher is the Bureau Director for Wisconsin’s Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection. “We have a video that’s promoting Wisconsin’s diverse lumber and forestry products, and the purpose of the video is to create awareness of this product, and Wisconsin’s forestry products around the world so that we can help our forestry companies build sales,” she said.
Home repair pushes timber harvest increase
The U.S. lumber market is expected to continue a rebound this year after increased demand because of an improving construction market.
According to the Western Wood Products Association, U.S. lumber demand is projected to rise 8 percent to 44.87 billion board feet in 2015.
US Forest Service unveils web application identifying at-risk forests
As our nation’s forests grow older and denser they are at greater risk of attack by pests, which can devastate some of more cherished national wildlands. Healthy forests not only provide a beautiful setting for our outdoor activities, they are at lower risk for catastrophic wild fires, and are more resilient to changes in climate and to insect and disease attack.
Which country leads the way in installed biomass capacity?
While everyone is buzzing about the unbelievable Seahawks comeback recently, the author just sat, looking at international figures for biomass.
To promote the launch of its now freely accessible platform RESource, the International Renewable Energy Agency dropped some knowledge in infographic format about which country is leading the way in biomass generation.
7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063