Bridges To Biofuels: AHB Initiative Supports Education And Opportunities For Hardwood Bioproducts

Advance Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB) is a consortium of Pacific Northwest University and industry partners. AHB's new initiative, led by the University of Washington, supports a sustainable hardwood bioproducts and biofuels industry in the Pacific Northwest with a long-term goal of developing poplar-based biofuels and high value chemicals. Ken Zarker and Northwest Green Chemistry (NGC), a Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG^®) member, have been working with the group to promote green chemistry opportunities, including producing a new video on Renewable Biofuels and Biochemicals. The video outlines innovative ways to produce biobased high value chemicals using sustainably grown poplar trees. This includes the production of acetic acid, ethylene, and ethanol, which are all produced during the first stages of the biobased jet fuel.

AHB's National Working Forum will meet in Portland, Oregon on April 11-13, 2016, to discuss opportunities for poplar and willow in environmental applications and as a feedstock in developing renewable fuel industries.