Advanced Woody Biomass Alliance Launches to Unite Expanding Sector

‍Advanced Woody Biomass Alliance Launches to Unite Expanding Sector

Evolving from the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association, the Alliance reflects broader participation across renewable carbon applications

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Washington, D.C. – March 9, 2026 – The Advanced Woody Biomass Alliance (“AWBA”, “Alliance”) today launched as a global industry platform uniting organizations to expand the use of woody biomass as a versatile, renewable carbon solution sourced from working forests. 

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The Alliance brings together stakeholders across a wide range of industries to strengthen collaboration, advance supportive policy frameworks, and catalyze investment that accelerates the development and deployment of woody biomass applications worldwide.  

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As demand for energy, fuels, and industrial goods continues to rise alongside emissions-reduction commitments, woody biomass is emerging as an abundant, responsibly sourced, and scalable resource. Its expanding role across power, advanced fuels, industrial processing, and carbon removal is driving convergence among historically distinct sectors and underscores the need for coordinated representation of the full woody biomass ecosystem.  

“The launch of AWBA represents how woody biomass applications are evolving,” said Darrell Smith, Executive Director of AWBA. “Companies across diverse industries are mobilizing around a common opportunity to deliver renewable carbon solutions that support our working forests. AWBA was created to bring these communities together – to foster alignment, strengthen market confidence, and ensure the full sector is represented as these markets mature.”  

AWBA builds on the foundation of the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA) which advanced markets for responsibly sourced wood pellets and helped establish a global supply chain. Today the industry mobilizes about $2 billion in woody biomass annually to customers across multiple continents. AWBA carries forward the institutional experience gained through more than a decade of global market and policy engagement while positioning the Alliance for this next phase of growth.  

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“The formation of AWBA reflects both the progress made by the woody biomass sector and the opportunities ahead,” said Tom Reilley, Chairman of the Board. “By bringing together participants across the value chain, the Alliance strengthens the sector’s ability to engage constructively with policymakers, partners, and markets as woody biomass continues to play an expanding role in the renewable carbon economy.” 

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Media, stakeholders, and organizations interested in learning more about AWBA or exploring membership opportunities are encouraged to visit www.woodybiomass.org or reach out to the Alliance team.  

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Media Contact: 

Taylor Fitts, taylor@woodybiomass.org

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Membership / General Inquires: 

Darrell Smith, darrell@woodybiomass.org 

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About the advanced woody biomass alliance

The Advanced Woody Biomass Alliance (AWBA) is a trade association representing organizations involved in the sustainable production and use of woody biomass as a renewable carbon resource. The Alliance brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance markets rooted in working forests.