Sustainable Poplar Plantation Provides Biomass Feedstock for the Emerging Cellulosic Ethanol Industry

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The GreenWood Tree Farm Fund, LP (GTFF) has become the first short rotation forest plantation worldwide to earn certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).  The RSB certification covers GTFF's cultivation, management and harvesting of coppiced poplar trees, used as biomass feedstock for the cellulosic ethanol industry or pelletized for direct combustion in biomass electric plants. The certification was conducted by SCS Global Services (SCS), a world leader in third-party sustainability certification.

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GTFF is managed by GreenWood Resources, Inc. (GWR).  SCS audited the Boardman, Oregon tree farm to RSB standards jointly with GWR's annual Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification renewal.  Combined, these two certifications recognize GWR's effort to maintain biodiversity, protect water resources, account for greenhouse gas emissions, treat workers fairly, and benefit the community.

"While biofuels for both transportation and energy production offer promise as an alternative to fossil fuels, production of its raw material can have a major impact on land, air, and water resources," said Neil Mendenhall, Manager of Supply Chain Services at SCS.  "GWR is demonstrating a sustainable approach to the production of biomaterials that has a greatly reduced environmental impact." 

The RSB is an international multi-stakeholder initiative concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biomaterial production and processing.  SCS is accredited by the RSB to conduct third-party assessments of biomaterial operations to determine compliance to the RSB standards, which encompass environmental, social and economic criteria.

"RSB is pleased that GWR has demonstrated the sustainability of its biomass feedstock production sufficient to earn certification." said Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of RSB. "GreenWood is a great example of a short-rotation tree farm that can reach the highest level of sustainability."

"Biomass from trees is an ideal solution for generating renewable fuels and chemicals while reducing reliance on fossil fuels," said Jeff Nuss, President & CEO of GWR.  "GWR's high-yield, short-rotation tree farms need less fertilizer and less energy to produce than traditional row crops, and they produce greater energy output per unit of production. We take our sustainability mission very seriously and are proud to have received the RSB designation."

About GreenWood Resources, Inc.
GreenWood Resources, Inc. (GWR) is an integrated global investment company focused on the development and operations of high yield short rotation forestry assets with operations in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.  GWR's core competencies – capital/ investment management, superior plant material, tree improvement methodologies, forestry operations and sales and marketing – uniquely address the broad skills required to produce superior, risk-adjusted returns for investments into intensively managed forestry assets.

About Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is a global sustainability standard and certification system for biomaterials production, representing a global consensus of over 100 organizations including farmers, refiners, regulators and NGOs.  RSB-certified entities demonstrate that their operations comply with safeguards, including the protection of natural or rare ecosystems, food security, and respect for human rights to land, water and decent work conditions, and the management of water resources. RSB is a full member of the ISEAL Alliance, which defines codes of good practices for standard-setting organizations.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.  

Lawrence Nussbaum
[email protected]
510.452.6821 

SOURCE SCS Global Services