Furfural produced from the steam-treatment of waste stream wood provides a stable base for refining the compound into other useful bio-based chemicals needed by industry.

As furan and furfuryl ethers, furfural enters global markets for the productoin of advanced jet fuels. When hydrogenated into polycaprolactam and hexamethylenediamine, furfural becomes a precursor for durable Nylons found in clothes, carpets, upholstery, insulations, seals and circuit breakers.

As furfuryl alcohol, it creates heat-resistant resins, reinforced plastics and imperishable wood products – predominantly required and used by automotive and furnishings sectors.

Power Wood Energy will be one of few Western producers of furfural, otherwise largely refined in China for export to Asia Pacific nations or in Latin American for regional farmers.

Furfural refined from agricultural crops can be vulnerable to climate disruption, global supply chains and volatile commodity prices. However, Power Wood Energy anticipates its Crown rights to harvest burnt timber from five million hectares of forest will support the supply of furfural at more stable prices.

By reducing input cost volatility and increasing off-take price reliability, Power Wood Energy intends to support more accurate long-term margin forecasting and secure supply planning for its customers.