A new study highlights the ongoing importance of solid biomass in the renewable energy mix, while emphasising regulatory, supply chain, and environmental challenges shaping its future.
Solid biomass remains a contested but still commercially relevant part of the renewable energy mix, according to a new study of firms involved in sourcing and processing the material. Researchers who surveyed 37 companies active in biomass production and sales in 2024 and 2025 found that operators see the sector’s competitiveness as being shaped less by technology alone than by regulation, certification, supply-chain economics and customer demand.
The study suggests that the strongest activity is concentrated in the early stages of the value chain, particularly the acquisition and processing of biological feedstocks. Long-term supply agreements emerged as the most common business response to market uncertainty, cited by 13 respondents. That emphasis on securing inputs reflects a wider reality in the sector: transport and logistics were identified as the most serious barrier, again by 13 companies, underlining how heavily biomass economics depend on moving bulky feedstock efficiently.
Most of the firms surveyed said they were already investing in environmental upgrades. Twenty-five companies, or about 68%, reported active spending on pro-ecological solutions, while 12 said they were not. The most significant outside influence on the sector, according to respondents, was the tightening of European rules and certification requirements, including the Renewable Energy Directives and ESG reporting expectations. Companies also pointed to growing environmental awareness among customers, especially public-sector and institutional buyers, as a factor supporting demand for certified biomass.
The broader market backdrop is mixed. Eurobserv-ER’s 2024 Solid Biofuels Barometer reported a 4.8% fall in inland consumption of solid biofuels across the EU27 between 2022 and 2023, after a 2021 peak, alongside a drop in electricity output and heat use from solid biomass. The report linked the decline to high prices and milder winters. In the United States, by contrast, the Energy Information Administration expects renewables to account for a larger share of electricity generation in 2024 and 2025, with biomass retaining a modest but steady role.
Corporate dealmaking also suggests that investors still see value in the sector. Recent transactions announced by companies such as RenX Enterprises, Abundia Global Impact Group and Bioleum point to continued interest in biomass processing, waste-to-value models and low-carbon fuel platforms. For the study’s authors, however, the message is clear: solid biomass can hold or improve its market position only if firms, regulators and customers address logistics costs, certification burdens and the need for more stable policy support.
- https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18/10/5027 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/waste-value-building-floridas-premier-biomass-platform-2026-03-23 – RenX Enterprises Corp. is transforming into a leading environmental services company by establishing a vertically integrated biomass and engineered-soils platform in Florida. The company has secured new commercial contracts, deployed automated equipment, and entered premium product markets, aiming to capture margins at every stage of the waste-to-value cycle. In 2025, RenX expects to generate $7 million in revenue, marking a significant shift from its previous real estate focus to a core operating business centred on biomass processing.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/826584/abundia-global-impact-group-acquires-rpd-technologies/ – Abundia Global Impact Group, a low-carbon energy solutions company, has acquired RPD Technologies Americas, a firm specialising in the design, construction, and operation of pilot plants. This acquisition adds a new business vertical to Abundia, offering an existing customer base and a team of scale-up project development and engineering experts in refining, petrochemical, and renewables, thereby enhancing its capabilities in converting biomass and plastics waste into low-carbon fuels.
- https://comstock.inc/press-release/bioleum-corporation-acquires-hexas-biomass-inc/ – Bioleum Corporation, a strategic investee of Comstock Inc., has acquired Hexas Biomass Inc., a global leader in developing and deploying purpose-grown energy crops and biomaterials. The acquisition, valued at approximately $6.5 million, includes Hexas’ intellectual properties and certain liabilities. Bioleum aims to accelerate the commercialization and global deployment of these technologies in biofuels and other biobased applications, enhancing its integrated system and expanding its team.
- https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/harvest-midstream-accelerates-expansion-1-billion-acquisition-mplx-uinta-and-green – Harvest Midstream has signed a purchase and sale agreement with MPLX LP to acquire an extensive natural gas gathering and processing network in the Uinta and Green River basins across Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado for $1 billion. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Harvest’s growth strategy, aiming to build a scaled, resilient midstream network capable of supporting America’s energy needs for decades to come.
- https://www.eurobserv-er.org/solid-biofuels-barometer-2024/ – The 2024 Solid Biofuels Barometer reports a 4.8% decrease in inland consumption of solid biofuels in the EU27 between 2022 and 2023, following a peak in 2021. This decline is attributed to high energy prices and reduced heating needs due to mild winters. Additionally, solid biomass electricity output fell by 11.4% between 2022 and 2023, while heat consumption decreased by 3.5%. The report highlights challenges in the competitiveness of solid biomass in the current energy market.
- https://www.world-energy.org/article/41470.html – The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that renewable energy sources will account for 24% of U.S. electricity generation in 2024, increasing to 25% in 2025. Biomass is expected to contribute 2.27% of renewable electricity generation in 2024, slightly decreasing to 2.06% in 2025. These projections indicate a steady role for biomass in the U.S. energy mix, despite challenges in the sector.
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article references a study surveying 37 companies active in biomass production and sales in 2024 and 2025. However, the study’s publication date is not provided, making it difficult to assess the freshness of the data. Without a clear publication date, it’s challenging to determine if the information is current or recycled. Additionally, the article mentions a 4.8% fall in inland consumption of solid biofuels across the EU27 between 2022 and 2023, according to Eurobserv-ER’s 2024 Solid Biofuels Barometer. This suggests that the article may be based on data from 2024, but without explicit dates, the freshness remains uncertain. The lack of a clear publication date for the study and the reliance on data from 2024 without confirmation of the article’s publication date raise concerns about the freshness of the content. Therefore, the freshness score is reduced to 7.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from respondents, such as “transport and logistics were identified as the most serious barrier, again by 13 companies.” However, these quotes cannot be independently verified, as no online matches are found for their earliest known usage. The absence of verifiable sources for these quotes raises concerns about their authenticity and accuracy. Therefore, the quotes check score is reduced to 5.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed journals. However, the specific journal and article are not identified, making it difficult to assess the credibility and reach of the source. Without information about the journal’s reputation and the article’s peer-review status, the reliability of the source cannot be fully determined. Therefore, the source reliability score is reduced to 6.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article discusses the competitiveness of solid biomass in the renewable energy mix, citing a 4.8% fall in inland consumption of solid biofuels across the EU27 between 2022 and 2023, according to Eurobserv-ER’s 2024 Solid Biofuels Barometer. While this aligns with industry trends, the lack of specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, makes it difficult to independently verify the claims. The absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets further raises concerns about the plausibility of the narrative. Therefore, the plausibility check score is reduced to 7.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information on the competitiveness of solid biomass in the renewable energy mix, citing data from a study surveying 37 companies active in biomass production and sales in 2024 and 2025. However, the lack of a clear publication date for the study, unverified quotes, and the absence of independent verification sources raise significant concerns about the freshness, accuracy, and credibility of the content. Therefore, the overall assessment is a FAIL with MEDIUM confidence.
