Enviva, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets, will invest $250 million (€229 million) in a new wood pellet production facility in Bond, Mississippi. Enviva’s growth strategy is to double pellet production capacity from 6.2 million tonnes annually to around 13 million tonnes over the next five years.
The Bond facility will create an estimate of 100 local jobs with wages projected to be approximately 70% higher than the county average. Additionally, the plant will generate more than $1 million (€916,000) in taxes annually for the county and school district and deliver $250 million (€229 million) annually in economic impact in the region. Once operational, the Bond facility will support jobs in related industries, such as logging and transportation.
“Markets for our renewable products have been growing rapidly as countries look for new ways to reduce their dependence on coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for heat and power generation,” said John Keppler, Enviva’s chairman and CEO. “Demand from manufacturers driving to reach net zero by decarbonising the industrial production of steel, cement, lime and sustainable aviation fuel is also growing rapidly for us.
“In an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, countries and companies around the world are seeking security of supply from stable partners like the US. This new facility, the community in which it operates, and the tremendous people who support it every day will continue Mississippi’s strong tradition of helping friends across the globe secure energy independence and win the fight against climate change.”
The new plant in Stone County will be the third of Enviva’s facilities in Mississippi. The company also owns and operates a deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Pascagoula from which pellets are shipped to customers in Europe and Asia. This makes for Enviva’s total investment in Mississippi to be more than $600 million (€550 million) and supports more than 850 direct and indirect jobs.
Construction is expected to take 18 months, beginning in early 2023, subject to receiving the necessary permits. The Bond plant is projected to have a production capacity of more than 1 million tonnes of pellets per year.
