The Netherlands-headed torrefaction technology developer and torrefied pellet producer Blackwood Technology B.V. (Blackwood) has announced that it and TTCL Public Company Ltd (TTCL) have closed on a strategic partnership to roll out torrefaction plants in South East Asia (SEA) based on Blackwood’s proprietary "FlashTor" technology.
TTCL is an integrated Thai Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and investment company. Since 2017, TTCL has invested in biomass renewable energy projects and has plans to set up a torrefied pellet business.
Traditionally, TTCL’s EPC business focused on petrochemical, chemical, and fertilizer plants as well as power generation projects. In recent years, TTCL shifted part of its activities to renewable energy and environmental projects. The partnership with Blackwood and the acquisition of a controlling stake is part of this vision: it will enable us to deploy biomass processing plants exploiting a proven torrefaction technology and to address the huge demand for sustainable alternatives to coal, said Shinichi Naruuchi, VP and Head of Energy Business Unit at TTCL.
As part of this agreement, TTCL is also taking a majority equity stake in Blackwood Technology.
We are delighted to join forces with a reputable EPC company whose engineering competencies are a perfect match for Blackwood’s core torrefaction expertise. We are also convinced that TTCL’s Japanese and Asian roots will help expedite the market acceptance of torrefied pellets as a substitute for fossil coal in Japan and the rest of Asia, said Maarten Herrebrugh, CEO of Blackwood Technology.
