INS/ Walki's paper-based and waterproof biomass cover protects logging residue stored on the ground, maximising the energy content of this inexpensive and easily accessible source of biofuel. Walki now offers a new six meter wide cover substantially increasing the energy content.

Logging residue is an inexpensive source of biofuel. To improve the energy content of the logging residue it must first dry on the ground before being stored. Walki's paper-based and waterproof cover shelters the residue from rain, snow and ice. Under this cover, the residue can be stored in piles on the ground for several months.

The cover is a wide laminate that is mainly produced from renewable fibrous material. It shelters the top of the pile but leaves the sides open, allowing for moisture to evaporate. In addition to the four-meter-wide laminate, Walki can now deliver six-meter-wide laminate. The wider laminate has considerable benefits in terms of increased efficiency, higher quality of the produced chips and higher economic gain.

"Studies done in both Finland and Sweden have confirmed that the efficiency when using wider laminates is remarkably higher. The dry content is substantially higher using the six meter wide laminate compared to the four metre wide", says Carlo van Houtum, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Forest.

A recent Swedish study found that covering the logging residue with a 6 meter laminate more than doubled the effect on DMC (Dry Matter Content) and also brought higher returns to the seller of the residue.

Walki's biomass cover is the widest of its kind on the market.

The sustainable choice

A thin plastic layer within the cover makes it both waterproof and very strong. The cover can be chipped along the residue and used as fuel in its entirety.

The biomass also hinders the logging residue pile from freezing. This is important because the energy content decreases significantly if the residue freezes. An icy heap is also difficult to handle.

 Walki's biomass cover is a sustainable choice. The cover itself can be burnt as fuel in its entirety. As the cover is produced in Finland, European customers' carbon footprint is also minimized as it needs to be transported significantly shorter distances than other options produced in North America or in Asia.

"We are also currently discussing the possibility of reducing the weight of the material which in turn would reduce the carbon footprint. We are looking at an 8-10 per cent improvement", says van Houtum.

 Biomass cover is widely used in the Nordic countries, especially in Finland and Sweden. Its popularity is also growing in other parts of Europe. Biofuels are becoming increasingly important due to tightening emissions restrictions. New combustion technologies suitable for solid biofuels are also driving demand.

Caption 1: Using a wider biomass cover laminate can more than double the effect on Dry Matter Content. Walki is the only one on the market who offers six meter meter wide cover.© Walki Group

For more information, please contact:

 Carlo van Houtum

Vice President Sales & Marketing for Forest.

carlo.vanhoutum@walki.com

Telephone number: +358 50 529 8699

 Walki in brief

Walki Group is a leading producer of technical laminates and protective packaging materials, specializing in the production of fibre based, intelligent, multilaminate products for markets ranging from energy saving construction facings and construction membranes to barrier packaging applications. The Group has plants in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK, Russia and China with a workforce of about 900 people. Annual net sales for the Group are over 300 million Euros.