European Bioenergy Insights
By Lloyd McGinty - Sr. Energy, Biomass and Carbon Specialist
Phase One: Ligna - Technology at Its Best
I was fortunate enough to spend part of June travelling through Europe, exploring how more mature bioenergy markets operate and what insights we can bring back to Aotearoa.
The first stop was Germany for the Ligna tradeshow, a legendary technology fest showcasing the latest developments in wood manufacturing, timber processing, and, most importantly for me, energy from wood. My main focus was connecting with manufacturers of biomass boilers, fuel storage and handling equipment, wood pellet and briquette makers, and the clever software and measurement technologies that tie bioenergy systems together.
Back home in Aotearoa, we have a limited number of suppliers for industrial-scale biomass boilers. So, meeting these European suppliers face-to-face was invaluable - understanding their technology on a deeper level so I could evaluate how they could support our clients’ projects here.
One thing that stood out at Ligna was the strong presence of biomass drying technology. There was everything from low-energy presses that reduce moisture content to 38%, to advanced belt dryers and massive industrial drying tanks. This technology pairs well with pellet and briquette machines, turning residues like sawdust, woodchips or whole logs into high-value energy products.
Another valuable outcome of this visit is that I now have access to a number of operating sites across Europe, Asia and Australia that we can visit with our clients. This means our clients can see these technologies in action - not just pictures on brochures.
I’m already looking ahead to the next Ligna in 2027 - and Whirika hopes to lead a Aotearoa delegation over. So if you’re curious about any specific technology or suppliers, please reach out - we may already have connections you can tap into.
Phase Two: Learning from the Leaders
The second part of my trip took me north to Sweden and Norway. Sweden really is the poster child for what’s possible when you make the most of an abundant forest resource - something they leaned into after the 1973 oil crisis.
I spent three days in Umeå, northern Sweden, with Biofuel Regions - a small but highly active team funded by local councils to grow the bioenergy sector. While I went there to share information, I left with even more advice and ideas than I’d expected. The Swedes were incredibly open and generous with their time and knowledge.
I toured a council-owned waste-to-energy plant, a biomass rail logistics terminal, and a torrefaction plant that makes carbon additives for the steel industry. Each site highlighted how committed they are to using every part of the tree - and using it well.
In Oslo, I visited a steam-exploded pellet manufacturing plant that’s been operating for more than ten years, producing nearly 50,000 tonnes each year. They opened their doors fully, giving me an up-close look at how they do it. Steam-exploded pellets have some clear advantages - and can act as a direct coal replacement. This is something we at Whirika are exploring seriously for Aotearoa. Watch this space.
Key Takeaways for Aotearoa:
I came home with my head buzzing with ideas - but a few big themes really stand out:
A thriving bioenergy sector builds resilience. It provides long-term, local energy supply for industry and ensures we use every part of the tree.
We need to think big - about waste-to-energy, biomass power generation, and the role bioenergy can play in Aotearoa’s energy transition.
Currently, we have an excess supply of low-grade logs that are primarily exported to China. As the bioenergy sector grows, these logs will increasingly need to be used domestically. In the long term, carefully managed plantation forests will play a vital role in supporting the country’s renewable energy sector.
I’m excited to see what we can do with these insights - and who we can work with along the way. If you’d like to know more about what I saw, or you’d like to join our next delegation to Ligna in 2027, please get in touch. Let’s make bioenergy a bigger part of Aotearoa’s future.