Founded as a sub-organization of Bioenergy Europe (BE) in 2012, the International Biomass Torrefaction and Carbonisation Council (IBTC) has decided to become a fully independent organization starting at the beginning of 2023. Very positive developments for torrefaction globally coupled with a broadening of application for the products lie behind the move.
The IBTC came about in 2012 as the International Biomass Torrefaction Council, from the joint efforts of major torrefied biomass stakeholders who decided to create a discussion platform of companies with similar interests.
According to IBTC, recent years have seen a “very positive development for torrefaction globally.”
The number of new players is rising every year, and the focus seems to shift from Europe to Asia. As well as that, there is a broadening, if not to say a shift of application for the products, with energy use remaining as one application.
Hence, it is quite natural for the IBTC to add “Carbonisation” to its name, and loosen its ties to Bioenergy Europe, which, over the last decade, has functioned well as the umbrella organization for IBTC, to become an independent association with a truly global perspective addressing many different application sectors.
In practice, IBTC will move from Brussels, Belgium, to Vienna, Austria.
We work in all realms that can lead to increased use of carbonized biomass and all sectors that do not fall under the competition between our members. Market promotion, standardization of products, frame-permits in logistics, bridging science and industry, administrative framework, and integration into national and supranational legislation are just some of our ever-expanding activities, said Michael Wild, President of the IBTC.
Decarbonizing with carbonized biomass
The scope of work as well as the number of members increased significantly, mostly outside Europe.
Currently, the IBTC has members from over 15 countries spread around the globe. Therefore, the newly independent organization will be built as an agile structure that will enable experts from all over the world to collaborate and reach IBTC’s goal of making the greatest possible contribution to the global transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.
In addition, the IBTC is establishing a hub for information and services relating to torrefaction and carbonization.
Current topics are, for example, the development from a pure fuel product to input for industrial processing, like in the metallurgical industry, or higher value products from carbonized biomass.
The current steep increase in interest in thermal upgrading of biomass is driven by product demand in all those various markets almost simultaneously.
Several additional biocarbon products, by-products, and additional processes have been developed by the industry and have contributed massively to the diversification of the torrefaction and carbonization sector.
Torrefied biomass is one of the most advanced solid biofuels and the only viable source of renewable solid carbon, with the potential to become a standardized commodity and a tangible alternative to fossil fuels and fossil carbon on all levels of application at a global scale, Michael Wild said.
Therefore, the area of certifications, classifications, and standards for torrefied and carbonized biomass will be an important part of the work of the IBTC in the near future.
One important milestone will be reached soon: the revision and upgrade of the ISO TS on thermally treated biomass to a full standard (ISO 17225-8) will be completed in a few months and will serve the entire sector.
