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The “glue” that holds plant cells together, and a normal byproduct of High-Purity Cellulose manufacturing.
We’re Using “Byproducts” to Create “New Products,” Without Using Additional Raw Material
The Project Will Maintain Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs in Fernandina Beach.
RYAM is helping lead the world’s transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy—and a 2G BioEthanol plant in Fernandina Beach can help us do it.
Our sustainable business model uniquely positions RYAM to contribute to the 2G BioEthanol market.
We were one of the first companies to realize the full potential of the tree, utilizing sustainably harvested raw materials from working forests.
In fact, few companies are as invested in nature as RYAM. Our operations support millions of acres of responsibly-managed forests, which provide wildlife habitat, clean the air, recharge aquifers, and support rural economies.
2G BioEthanol strengthens markets for sustainably-sourced, renewable forest products.
Traditionally, First Generation (1G) BioEthanol is produced from the starches found in grains like corn, sorghum and barley.
However, RYAM’s 2G BioEthanol is produced from cellulose using sustainably-harvested forestry products.
2G BioEthanol is a sustainable, low carbon alternative to fossil-fuels and 1G BioEthanol.
2G BioEthanol uses a non-food, renewable resource as its primary input—in this case, trees. That means RYAM’s BioEthanol does not divert resources from our food supply.
RYAM can manufacture 2G BioEthanol without additional trees simply by using a byproduct from our High-Purity Cellulose manufacturing process. That means less waste and more environmentally friendly products at the same time.
Alternative, sustainable fuels like 2G BioEthanol are becoming more common as more companies embrace sustainable manufacturing to protect the environment. In short, RYAM is trying to help companies, like energy suppliers, become more sustainable.
The demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly products is growing. That is good for our environment, good for our company, and good for our community in Fernandina Beach. RYAM already helps customers create many sustainable products, including 2G BioEthanol at our plant in Tartas, France. So, 2G BioEthanol (which is an alternative to certain fossil fuel-based products) is a natural addition to our Fernandina Beach plant’s offerings.
If approved, this project will offer more environmentally friendly solutions to some of our world’s toughest challenges while maintaining existing local manufacturing jobs.
This project is a win for our local economy and it will complement RYAM’s current operations.
Our local plant has operated in Fernandina Beach since 1939. Many of those who lace up their boots every morning and come to work here can proudly say their parents and grandparents did the same thing. That legacy creates a special responsibility to ensure that our operations meet the highest standards for safety, not only for our neighbors, but for our workers and families, too. We’re committed to protecting and promoting our community’s economy, environment and quality of life—not only because those are the rules, but because this is our home. This project is still in its early phases, so it is too soon to know its precise economic impact.
It is also important to consider the environmental benefits this project will bring to Fernandina Beach and beyond. Not only will it reduce our emissions locally, it will provide a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. That’s good for both the environment and the economy.
This project will reduce our plant’s emissions, which will contribute to better local air quality.
Here’s how: First, we will remove sugars from byproducts left over from HPC production. Then, we will convert those sugars into 2G BioEthanol, which will help meet the growing demand for cleaner and renewable energy. Currently, those sugars are used as a fuel to help power our plant. This change will result in a 5 to 10% reduction in air emissions.
It will also help improve global air quality because 2G BioEthanol is about 80 percent cleaner than fossil fuel-based gasoline.
Storage and loading will be carried out by RYAM’s highly trained engineers and operators. They will follow rigorous safety protocols and operating procedures. Our procedures and processes must be compliant with strict regulations established by the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA,) the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and other regulatory bodies (including insurers, who will not underwrite unsafe operations). Transportation will be carried out by professionally licensed drivers compliant with all Federal and State transportation requirements.
The 2G BioEthanol project will be engineered to the latest standards for safety, which include proven methods for containment, and process controls that include real-time monitoring and frequent inspections by skilled technicians to ensure the fermentation process meets high standards for safety. A Process Hazard Analysis will be completed, which includes a risk assessment of each part of the process. Our employees will also be required to undergo comprehensive training to meet high standards for making 2G BioEthanol, ensuring compliance to the strict operational protocols mandated by regulators.
Additionally, RYAM will be required to perform a pre-startup safety review, regular employee and contractor safety training, frequent mechanical integrity inspections, an emergency action plan, safety compliance audits, and will be subject to regulatory reviews.
Storage:
The proposed 2G BioEthanol process design includes a dedicated and robust fire suppression system that adheres to the latest codes, standards and regulations required by federal, state and local regulators, as well as insurance providers that underwrite the facility. These organizations set strict standards for fire safety, and we follow them.
Transportation:
2G BioEthanol transportation will be subject to detailed planning, oversight and regulations. While specific transportation plans are in the early stages of development, we anticipate only around three trucks per day during off-peak hours.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) leads permitting and regulatory oversight of this project. They set strict standards to protect public health and the environment, and we will comply with those standards.
The City of Fernandina Beach will oversee any building permits that may be required by this project, which RYAM will pursue as appropriate.
The new 2G BioEthanol facility will be constructed within our existing property boundaries. Importantly, the selected site for the new facility is positioned more than a half mile away from the nearest residential area. This considerable distance significantly enhances safety by providing a substantial buffer zone between the plant and residential areas. Additionally, the facility will not be located in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain, further minimizing environmental and operational risks.
The design and placement of the new plant have been carefully considered to adhere to the highest standards of safety and environmental compliance. The process equipment used in the production of 2G BioEthanol will incorporate advanced flood mitigation and containment measures. These precautions are consistent with those applied to existing structures within our property, ensuring a cohesive and secure operational environment. This approach reflects our ongoing commitment to safety, sustainability, and community well-being, ensuring that our operations pose minimal risk to the nearby residential areas and the environment.
RYAM does not own land in Wildlight. Even if it did, the only suitable location for 2G BioEthanol equipment is within RYAM’s existing plant where it can be seamlessly integrated into our manufacturing process. 2G BioEthanol will be produced using an on-site byproduct of our existing plant operations.
This question is often based on a misunderstanding about RYAM and Rayonier Inc., which are now entirely different companies, despite sharing a history.
In 2014, Rayonier Inc. and Rayonier Advanced Materials (now RYAM) “spun off” from each other. This separation allowed Rayonier Inc. to concentrate on forest management and real estate, while RYAM focused on performance fibers and sustainable innovations.
This project will have little effect on how our plant uses and manages water, nor will it harm the health of local waterways (or its enjoyment by our neighbors). In fact, our plant will continue to operate under the same water permits it does today.
A small amount of wastewater generated by 2G BioEthanol production will be treated at our facility and is subject to the same strict regulations as all wastewater treated at our facility.
Our groundwater use and water management is highly regulated by the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Those agencies set clear standards that regulate water quality and quantity to safeguard public health and protect the environment. This project will not change that.
Yes! Continuous improvement is an essential part of our company’s culture. We’re always analyzing our operations to improve environmental performance.
That’s why RYAM has invested in technologies and techniques that were engineered with environmental stewardship in mind.
This project is another step in the right direction. In addition to producing environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, our 2G BioEthanol equipment will also significantly reduce local air emissions.
Additionally, as part of our air permit, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) sets clear standards to safeguard public health and the environment. We will work closely with regulators to ensure we comply with these strict standards.
If approved, the 2G BioEthanol project will be built to fit within our current property boundary, which means our “footprint” in Fernandina Beach will remain the same.
We are still in the early design stages, but the project will simply add equipment necessary to reuse existing lignin streams from High-Purity Cellulose production to help make 2G BioEthanol.
RYAM submitted the air permit application for this project to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on November 13, 2023.
Traditionally, First Generation BioEthanol has been produced from the starches found in grains like corn, sorghum and barley. In the United States, corn-based ethanol is relatively common and is typically produced in the Midwest.
Conversely, RYAM’s 2G BioEthanol will be produced using sustainably-harvested forestry products. 2G BioEthanol is a sustainable alternative to agricultural (corn) ethanol because it uses a non-food, renewable resource as its primary input—in this case, trees.
In engineering terms, our project will extract the residual sugars from an existing lignin stream of our sustainable High-Purity Cellulose manufacturing process and ferment these sugars into 2G bioethanol. That’s a long way of saying we will use manufacturing “leftovers” to create a more environmentally friendly fuel.
Unlike corn-based ethanol, RYAM’s 2G BioEthanol does not require more land. Instead, we simply convert leftover lignin from our plant’s existing High-Purity Cellulose manufacturing process. It’s a small (but important) step toward a more circular economy.
2G Bioethanol is good for our planet. RYAM’s proposed 2G BioEthanol project will help reduce carbon emissions by producing a cleaner, renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
2G Bioethanol is good for Fernandina Beach. The project will reduce air emissions from our plant and will also maintain good-paying jobs for our community.
Unlike First Generation BioEthanol, which is made from agricultural products, RYAM’s 2G BioEthanol is made from non-food sources.