Biofuel manufacturer Vega Biofuels, Inc. is set to begin construction of a bio-coal plant in Georgia that will produce green energy bio-coal from timber waste.
According to the chairman and chief executive of Vega Biofuels, Michael K. Molen, the company is currently working on the design, construction and implementation of the facility.
Vega Biofuels has entered into an agreement with engineering firm Hunt, Guillot and Associates for the construction of the facility in Cordele, Georgia. HGA will also assist Vega with staffing the facility when it is completed.
"Now that HGA is fully engaged, and once they complete the feasibility study, they will provide us with preliminary plant drawings that among other things, will lay out the plot, motor list, and [topographical] maps for the project. We look forward to completing this process so we can begin the installation and construction of the plant,” said Mr. Molen.
The construction of the bio-coal plant will be funded through interim financing secured from a group of existing shareholders in June of this year. Vega Biofuels received a $500,000 line of credit as an initial fund for the said project.
Bio-coal can be used to fuel coal-fired power plants. The company’s bio-coal is produced through torrefaction of biomass, which is a partial carbonization process that takes place in low temperature environment.
Torrefaction is capable of reducing or eliminating undesirable volatiles such as nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxides and is considered carbon neutral to the environment. The process also gives the biomass the physical and energetic properties similar to traditional coal.
The company decided to build the manufacturing plant in Georgia after members of the company met with Crisp County Industrial Development Council earlier this year.
Vega Biofuels has chosen the location because of the amount of viable biomass feedstock available in timber-rich South Georgia. There is also easy access to the Cordele Inland Port that will service the Port of Savannah, which is one of the South’s largest international shipping ports.
