New study reveals Europe's biomass rise will increase US forest sizes

A new study produced by US Forest Service scientists has found that Europe’s demand for wood pellets to generate renewable bioenergy will lead to a rise in US forestland as timber exports are on the up.

EU policies and others around the world that require the use of renewable and low greenhouse gas-emitting energy is building demand for wood pellets used in the generation of biomass energy. 

This in turn could create lucrative new markets for US timber exports, increase wood prices, and lead to substantial increases of forested areas.

‘Southern forests and some northern forests as well, are being used to produce pellets for export to the EU,’ says Karen Abt, research economist with the Forest Service’s Economics and Policy unit and lead author of the report. ‘Current and proposed production levels have the potential to increase prices, but may also lead to an increase in timberland area.’

The team used a computer model to simulate timber markets in the US Coastal South up until the year 2040: ‘We modelled a 'business as usual' scenario which continued the current level of wood production and an alternative scenario which increased the production of wood bioenergy.’ 

This found continued bioenergy demands based on the most recent projections of wood consumption by pellet mills and other bioenergy producers.

The EU has extended their renewable requirement through 2030.

There are studies underway by the EU Environment Agency on the effects of the Renewable Energy Directive on the sustainability of southern forests,’ says Abt. ‘If new requirements are adopted, this could affect use of southern forests for pellet production for export to the EU. All indications are that pellets from southern forests will meet the current EU requirements.’