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INFOR Supports Firewood Producers in Biobío with Certification Equipment

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• With the backing of the Biobío Regional Government, the initiative aims to promote the production of high-quality, less polluting firewood.

Given the growing demand for clean alternatives to replace fossil fuels and the generation of significant opportunities for forest biomass and its better utilization, the Forestry Institute (INFOR), through a National Fund for Regional Development (FNDR) from the Biobío Government, delivered moisture meters to nine firewood producers.

The purpose of the Delmhorst Instrument device is to verify the moisture content of the firewood, which must be below 25%, a key factor in ensuring the quality and certification of this biofuel. This was highlighted by Juan Carlos Pinilla, a researcher and head of Forest Biomass and Energy at INFOR, who emphasized the importance of this support for firewood producers.

"The current certification requirements for firewood sales involve a drying process that can only be measured with instruments that, unfortunately, are costly. That’s why the support from the Regional Government is crucial to strengthen the work of firewood producers in the region—in this case, by providing equipment to monitor moisture content and, consequently, the quality of firewood for the benefit of consumers and the environment," explained Pinilla.

The FNDR program focuses on supplying short-rotation forest biomass for energy generation and enhancing the competitiveness and regional economy of small and medium-sized landowners and the energy industry. This includes supporting the production and commercialization of biofuels under the new

Biofuels Law, which will regulate production and sales standards, one of which is precisely that firewood must have a moisture content below 25%.

In this context, Ruth Morales from JTC Maderas de Coronel, one of the program beneficiaries, stressed the importance of moisture meters, noting that "these tools will allow them to offer better products."

Additionally, the FNDR program will benefit various stakeholders in the forestry and energy sectors, including firewood producers, pellet manufacturing plants, forest owners, professionals from both sectors, and the sawmill industry, aiming for sustainable biomass use to foster economic and productive development at the regional and local levels.

It is worth noting that in Chile, biomass accounts for approximately a quarter of primary energy, mainly used for heating, electricity generation, hot water, and cooking. In this scenario, the Biobío Region consumes 1.9 million cubic meters of firewood, prompting various institutions to work on innovations that ensure a quality supply for household and industrial energy needs.

Source: Infor.cl