Wood pellet manufacturers setting up shop in southeastern Va., N.C.
By: Gwen Albers
The Tidewater News
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a six-part series that focuses on the growing wood pellet industry in southeastern Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
FRANKLIN—Within 18 months, three companies announced plans to open four wood-pellet manufacturing facilities within the region, including at the former International Paper mill in Franklin.
A demand for wood pellets for generating electricity in Europe, the availability of the southern yellow pine and Western Tidewater’s proximity to the Atlantic ports seem to be the driving force.
“We’re seeing a good number of plants being built, particularly in the southeastern United States,” said Jason Berthiaume, membership coordinator for the Pellet Fuels Institute in Arlington, a trade association promoting energy independence through renewable biomass fuel.
Companies building in the area are:
* Wood Fuel Developers in Chester. In January 2010, the company announced plans to build an $18.7 million pellet plant in Greensville County that was expected to create 39 jobs.
One year later, Wood Fuel Developers announced intentions to replace a closed particleboard plant in Waverly with its new manufacturing center for wood pellets. The $8.6 million project is expected to bring 28 jobs to Sussex County.
