TSI and Telfair Forest Products have announced the construction of a torrefaction facility at Telfair Forest Products’ site in Lumber City, Georgia, with commissioning and startup scheduled for early this year, according to Bernama.com.
The collaboration combines TSI’s advanced biomass torrefaction technology with Telfair’s operational expertise, aiming to support the expansion of the carbonized biomass industry. TSI CEO Benny Teal highlighted that the new facility will address a key industry challenge by producing large-scale commercial samples essential for advancing full-scale production facilities.
Designed for versatility, the facility will have an annual capacity of over 15,000 tonnes and will operate across multiple temperature and torrefaction levels to cater to various industrial applications.
The project has received state government support due to its economic benefits for the local community. Georgia Senator Blake Tillery emphasized that the initiative will create and sustain 15 jobs in Lumber City and Telfair County while contributing to the state’s growing bioeconomy.
At the heart of the facility, a TSI-designed Torreactor will be deployed alongside Telfair’s logistics network to torrefy and densify biomass, producing commercial demonstration samples for industrial users. These samples will help heavy industries evaluate torrefied biomass as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Torrefaction, a thermal process that converts biomass—such as wood residuals and agricultural waste—into a high-energy, low-oxygen fuel source, makes it a viable alternative for industries traditionally reliant on coal. The Torreactor will produce both mildly torrefied biomass for heat, power, and biofuel applications, as well as highly carbonized products suitable for steelmaking and other industrial uses, contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.