Industrial businesses across South Africa face a dual challenge: rising energy costs and increasing pressure to cut carbon emissions. For companies reliant on coal-fired boilers, the search for sustainable, cost-stable alternatives is more urgent than ever.
Biomass wood fuel chips are emerging as a powerful solution. They provide consistent energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help businesses meet environmental compliance obligations. According to IEA Bioenergy, biomass is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources worldwide, with applications ranging from industrial heating to electricity generation.
At Oricol, we’re committed to turning waste into a resource. Our Johannesburg biomass facility processes waste wood into high-quality fuel chips, giving businesses across the country a cleaner, more sustainable energy option.
What Is Biomass Fuel?
Wood waste is one of the most underutilised resources in industrial waste streams. From pallets and offcuts to packaging and manufacturing by-products, thousands of tonnes of wood end up in landfills each year.
In South Africa, where landfill space is rapidly running out and waste regulations are tightening, finding alternatives is essential.
Biomass fuel turns waste wood into an opportunity. Instead of ending up in landfills, offcuts and by-products are processed into uniform fuel chips that replace coal in boilers, cutting emissions and closing the loop on the waste cycle.
Why Biomass Wood Chips Make Sense for Industry
- Sustainable alternative to coal: Coal remains a dominant fuel for industrial boilers, but its environmental footprint is massive. Biomass wood chips provide a renewable, lower-carbon option that helps industries transition toward cleaner energy without sacrificing reliability.
- Turning waste into a resource: The production of biomass fuel begins by diverting wood waste from landfill. This reduces methane emissions while supporting the circular economy – a system where resources are continuously recovered, reused, and recycled.
- Compliance and brand protection: South African businesses face tightening environmental regulations and growing stakeholder expectations. By adopting biomass fuel, companies can demonstrate compliance, strengthen ESG reporting, and position themselves as environmentally responsible.
- Reliable and efficient fuel: Biomass wood chips are graded to a consistent quality, ensuring steady boiler performance. With Oricol as your supplier, you get a dependable and scalable energy source.
- Cost stability: Energy volatility makes long-term planning difficult. Biomass fuel offers more predictable costs, especially as global coal markets fluctuate. Importantly, a carbon tax is levied on coal but not on biomass, giving biomass a cost advantage. The current carbon tax on coal is approximately R220 per ton and is expected to increase to R450 per ton within the next few years.
The Process: From Wood Waste to Boiler Fuel
At Oricol’s facility, the process is carefully managed to ensure fuel quality, safety, and sustainability:
- Collection: Waste wood is sourced from industrial operations, logistics providers, and commercial sectors.
- Processing: Specialised machinery shreds the wood into uniform chips for efficient boiler combustion.
- Supply: Chips are distributed to clients in pack sizes ranging from 40kg to 1,000kg — a ready-to-use, clean-burning biomass fuel.
This waste recovery system generates renewable energy while diverting thousands of tonnes of wood waste from landfill each year.
Who Can Benefit from Biomass Fuel?
Biomass wood chips are particularly valuable for industries with high heat and steam demands.
Common sectors include:
- Manufacturing (steel, textiles, chemicals)
- Food and beverage (breweries, canneries, packaging plants)
- Large-scale commercial users reliant on boiler systems
For these businesses, biomass reduces carbon emissions while keeping fuel costs under control.
From manufacturing to food and beverage, biomass wood chips power industries with reliable heat and steam, cutting emissions while keeping energy costs in check.
Biomass in the Bigger Picture of Waste Management
For Oricol, biomass is one part of a broader strategy to recover value from waste. Alongside food waste management and composting, waste recovery and recycling, and biogas production, our biomass facility supports the national goal of zero waste to landfill.
By integrating biomass into your energy mix, you’re not just switching fuels – you’re aligning with a future where resources are continuously reused, and waste is eliminated.
Why Choose Oricol as Your Biomass Supplier?
When it comes to industrial fuel, reliability and compliance matter as much as sustainability. Oricol stands out because we:
- Operate a dedicated biomass facility in Johannesburg
- Deliver consistent, high-quality wood fuel chips
- Help businesses reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Provide solutions aligned with compliance and sustainability goals
- Bring decades of expertise in turning waste into a resource across South Africa
The Future of Biomass in South Africa
As South Africa pushes toward net-zero goals and stricter waste diversion requirements, biomass will become an increasingly important part of industrial energy strategies.
Companies that adopt biomass now position themselves ahead of the curve – lowering emissions, cutting waste, and showcasing leadership in sustainability.
Conclusion
For industries reliant on boilers, biomass wood chips are a smarter, greener, and more resilient fuel choice.
By partnering with Oricol, you gain access to a reliable biomass supplier and take a clear step toward sustainable operations, regulatory compliance, and cost stability.
Ready to make the switch?
- Contact Oricol today to learn how our biomass wood fuel chips can power your operations sustainably while reducing waste and emissions.
