In the SteamBio project, researchers from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute are developing a special steam drying technique that could significantly cut transportation costs for wood fiber.

Large-scale production of torrefied biomass is set to begin, the result of a joint venture between New Biomass Energy LLC and Solvay Energy Services. The recently created Solvay Biomass Energy will be co-located at NBE's facility in Quitman, MS.

NASHVILLE -- Gibson Guitar, still smarting from its alleged violations of the Lacey Act, is experimenting with the use of torrefied maple for fret fingerboards.