Developing a Statewide Information Database from Wood and Agricultural Residues, 1998 North America Nonwood Fiber Symposium Proceedings

In an effort to help develop better uses for wood and agricultural residues, the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory has conducted a study of sugar cane processors, cotton ginners, rice processors and the primary and secondary wood processors to determine residue uses and quantities in Louisiana. The study revealed that while some firms use residues for their own boilers, or sell it to others for fuel, there are still unused residues or waste. There are many reasons for this including the cost of competing energy sources, lack of marketing innovation and the economies of scale.

The study’s mission includes identifying new areas for residue utilization. To facilitate these innovations, and bridge buyers with sellers or producers of biomass residues, a geographic information system (GIS) was developed to map all sites claiming to produce and/or consume wood waste. Included are processors of cotton gin trash, rice hulls and bagasse. These data are layered with timber supply data from the U.S. Forest Service to help develop a better understanding of the overall biomass resource.