TIMCON releases statement on biomass

The UK’s Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation has released a position statement on biomass subsidies to clarify its position when lobbying the government.

Its two-page document states the organisation is not opposed to all subsidies, only those that distort the market, and that the diversion of round wood from sawmilling to biomass is a threat to the pallet and packaging industry. TIMCON adds that biomass projects should be “encouraged to use the least useful materials to society - not the best quality waste wood, and certainly not saw quality logs”.
The statement is a part of TIMCON’s ongoing promotion of wood to UK business and government as the most effective, economic and sustainable choice. In recent months this has included publicly calling on the government to support domestic forestry and ensure adequate planting for the future; working closely with other domestic organisations such as Confor, the Forestry Commission and the Timber Trades Federation; and keeping its membership up to date with relevant developments in Europe, such as their reuse and recycling obligations.
Key messages included in the statement are:
• TIMCON is not opposed to the principle of biomass subsidies - but it is opposed to subsidies that distort the market.
• The diversion of round wood from sawmilling into biomass is a threat to the pallet and packaging industry.
• The biggest threat comes not from the very small (domestic/small commercial RHI) and the very big (Drax) projects but the medium-sized projects in the 15-60MW range.
• Biomass projects should be encouraged to use the least useful materials to society – not the best quality waste wood and certainly not saw quality logs.

TIMCON president John Dye said: “We have released the statement to highlight TIMCON’s position on biomass. This is an extremely complex issue, with differences of opinion both within and between the various forest-based industries that could be affected by the subsidy system. We now have a coherent industry statement, which takes account of these differences – and the beneficial side of subsidies - but stresses the impact that subsidy regimes can have on the pallet and packaging and other British industries, and also on the environment.”
TIMCON will review its biomass statement regularly to reflect latest developments in legislation and the market.