A new $10 million boiler powered by sawdust produced from milling is powering Dongwha Australia’s kilns at Bombala.
The ABC reports that the bioenergy will be a gas substitute, and power five kilns used for drying timber. According to project manager Michael Dyer, around 200 tonnes of sawdust was being produced a day onsite, and its disposal had presented issues.
“The generation of hot water is totally fuelled by the biomass boiler,” Dyer told the ABC.
“It will eventually make it a lot more sustainable for the future for all mills.”
Dongwha Australia’s south-west NSW site opened in 2013.
The high cost of gas in Australia is a major issue for energy intensive manufacturers such as fertiliser and explosives maker Incitec Pivot, which will shut its Gibson Island plant in December if it cannot find an affordable supply.
Picture: Bombala Times
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