Press kit: Biomass

Vattenfall and Swedfund acquire 30 percent of Buchanan Renewables Fuel. Vattenfall's share will be 20 per cent for MEUR 20, and Swedfund's 10 per cent for MEUR 10.

Vattenfall already has a sourcing agreement with Buchanan Renewables and is now becoming a partner to expand the operations and secure a significant biomass supply.

Using biomass is an important key to reducing Vattenfall’s emissions of fossil carbon dioxide. It is a renewable energy source that can replace coal in existing power plants. Since the supply of biomass in Europe is limited import will be necessary to meet an increased demand.

The acquisition of a share in Buchanan Renewables Fuel is a natural first step towards building an international sourcing portfolio to secure a long-term supply of biomass that meets high sustainability requirements.

The biomass from Buchanan Renewables Fuel is produced from old, non-productive rubber trees. A rubber tree stops producing latex after 25-30 years. Buchanan Renewables then removes these non-productive trees from the plantation, pays the farmer for the trees and ensures that new trees are being planted. In this way trees that had previously been burned as waste now become a valuable resource.

Vattenfall is making the investment together with Swedfund, Sweden’s leading development finance institution that specialises in investments in developing countries. Swedfund is owned by the Swedish state.

Movie clips and animations

All rights reserved: Vattenfall

View the video news report about biomass production in Liberias (wmv 21,3 MB, new window)

View the documentary about biomass production in Liberia (wmv 52,7 MB, new window)