Welcome to TAPPI’s Bioenergy and Bioproducts Community
In the near future, biorefineries will become yet a third major component of many integrated paper industry manufacturing facilities, together with chemical and mechanical pulp mills and the papermaking operation. Today’s modern pulp and paper mills are already maximizing the use of cellulosic raw materials in the production of paper and board products, but advanced biofuel technologies are now nearing full commercial implementation. Within the next three to five years, an estimated 25% of mills in North America will be producing at least some volume of second-generation biofuels, from ethanol to synthesis gases (syngas) and a spectrum of further-processed motor fuels, as well as biodiesel and a broad array of bioproducts. This percentage is expected to at least double during the ensuing decade. The scenario is similar in Europe, Scandinavia, and other parts of the world where fuel demand and escalating costs are pushing investments in alternative fuels to record levels.
To provide the pulp and paper industry with critical information and a networking structure to maximize its contributions and opportunities in the global bioenergy arena, TAPPI held its first annual International Bioenergy & Bioproducts Conference (IBBC)and exhibit in 2008, established the TAPPI Biorefinery Committee shortly afterwards, and most recently launched the Bioenergy Technologies Quarterly report, which keeps members and subscribers up-to-date on the latest bioenergy developments and innovations worldwide. The TAPPI e-library includes a rapidly expanding repertoire of presentations, publications, and resources in the bioenery area, and the association’s Paper360° magazine has been steadily increasing its biorefinery coverage during the past two years.