The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) has said it is pleased with increasingly widespread understanding of the effects of subsidising the biomass industry.
The organisation, which represents UK packaging and pallet manufacturers, says its own efforts, and those of other timber-based industries, and a number of high-profile news stories, have led to growing consideration of the potential damage that artificial support for biomass projects can cause to both the UK economy and to the environment.
TIMCON president, John Dye said: “The wood-based industries include many of UK’s most sustainable and environmentally friendly companies, and employ a substantial number of people - there are approximately 30,000 jobs provided by our sector alone. Together, we are channelling significant resources into ensuring that customers, politicians and even the general public understand the great benefits of using this material and negative impact of the current biomass system.
He added: “On the face of it, subsidising biomass may appear to be good for the environment; however, the practice instead encourages the burning of solid, carbon-storing wood, which would have a much longer and beneficial lifespan being used in manufacture.
“By diverting essential supplies from manufacturing, subsidies also damage the economy, dramatically increasing the price of essential and environmentally friendly products such as timber pallets and packaging. We are alarmed to see predictions that if demand subsidised by the biomass industry grows to the size forecast, the price of timber could rise to more than double current levels in the near to medium term.”
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