Information for investors
Investing in Renewable energyÂ
Using the Power of Nature
Population growth, climate change and the rising affluence of developing nations are putting a strain on our planet & limited resources. These challenges encourage businesses to take their responsibility in using renewable resources and energy. Sustainability has become mainstream and this is one of the factors that makes natural resources attractive investments now. This reflects industry and investors seeking to better manage risks in an era of energy transition combined with lower costs and shorter-cycle assets. Investments in the transition from traditional energy sources to torrefied biomass in large (energy) plants or local installations will not only contribute towards a shorter time to break even but also in an excellent return on investment.
GLOBAL PELLET MARKET
The Global pellet market has been growing since 2010 towards a 30 million ton/a based on a growing demand in both markets: residential and industrial heating. The Paris Climate agreement (CoP21) has been a world wide driver in the increased demand of pellets by a subsidy regime and CO2 taxes. The pellet market is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly 8 % over the next five years, will reach 6150 million US$ in 2024, from 4120 million US$ in 2019, according to a new study of Future Market Insights.
NEXT GENERATION PELLETS
Black pellets are the next generation of biomass as a renewable energy source, proving a 30% higher volumetric energy density than wooden pellets. This lowers costs of transportation and storage.
Black pellets are highly efficient due to a minimum of biological degradation and water resistant properties and lower emission rates.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Torrefaction is a technological process in which biomass is heated to 250-300 degrees in a low-oxygen environment. The elements of raw material are changed in this process, resulting in refined “black pellets” with new characteristics. Biomass also lacks the challenges of many other renewable energy alternatives, such as irregular availability.
PRODUCTION AT LOWER COST
Processing costs are low. Grinding of the torrefied material uses less energy and there is no need of a binder in the pelletizing process. The black pellets contains a 30% higher volumetric energy density than wooden pellets. This lowers costs of transportation and storage. The process is also fit for low valued raw material.
Plants with Yilkins Technology




SectorsÂ
Energy Power Plants
Striving for fossil-free generation of electricity and at the same time reducing CO2 footprints can be achieved by co-firing with biomass or switch to it entirely. By first torrefying the biomass and residues a higher calorific value is achieved and reduced overall emissions. The higher caloric value and hydrophobicity enable a significant reduction in transportation and storage costs.
Pellet suppliers
Improving your existing process using Yilkins’ modular drying and torrefying equipment, means an immediate increase in efficiency. The result is a reduction of operational costs up to 50% compared to conventional systems. The deployment of the high-quality product leads to lower emissions.
Chemicals & Materials
Yilkins integrated and balanced torrefaction solution is ideal to create high quality products as raw material for a sustainable and circular route toward biobased materials and biochemicals. Biocoal can be used as a feedstock to produce green syngas and hydrogen or used to make (active) biochar for application as soil improvement.
Manufacturing Industry
Manufacturing industries are in a transition of converting their fossil feedstock – mainly coal – towards renewables. Dried or torrefied renewable product will play an important role in this transition within the manufacturing industry towards sustainable feedstock. Applications for torrefied product are being developed in the steel industry as replacement of fossil coal, while within the asphalt industry dried paper sludge can be used instead of virgin material as filler. The cement industry uses all kind of fossil fuels and torrefied RDF material could be used to replace coal.
COMPLETE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Before we provide you the best tailor made solution, we perform a full feasibility study on your residue streams. We provide every customer/project with a customized calculation with the expected return on investment. Interested to know how we can help you realising your renewable energy ideas? Our team is ready to help you.
PROOF OF PRINCIPLE
Yilkins drying and torrefaction solutions have reached proof of principle. We operate a demonstration drying/torrefaction plant in Ruurlo in the Netherlands and we supplied our torrefaction technology to the Futerra project in Valongo in Portugal. The Futerra plant includes six torrefaction lines and will be operational by the end of 2020.
Key features Yilkins Drying Solutions
Investing in a Yilkins Pellet Plant is investing at lower costs. Final financial result is a payback time of 2 to 5 years.
Modular (extendable) system with limited footprint and scalable capacity between 0,1 MT – 6,0 MT per hour.
Compact structure resulting in up to 30% lower investment compared to other existing drying systems.
Cost of operations can be kept low:
Highly efficient drying technology saves on energy.
24/7 operational capabilities with remote control option.
Low maintenance costs due to an advanced combustion system.
Use of residues as fuel and condensation of combustion gasses developed during the process.
The result is a saving on operational costs up to 50% compared to conventional systems.
The high energy density results in a reduction of 30% on logistics costs. The reduction in moisture content prevents decomposition of product as a result of spontaneous heat generation during storage. Result is that the usual 5% product loss is avoided.
The dryer ensures constant residence time.
The dried product has a consistent quality, stable moisture content and a low ash content.
Result is a lower investment (smaller boiler) and higher operational reliability, minimal pollution and a consistent heat supply with a boiler efficiency increased by 10%.
The residues released during the process (dust and undersized fraction of biomass) can be used as fuel for heat generation in the drying and torrefaction process.
Lower emissions during processing due to deployment of a high-quality product. During the production, combustion gas is created, which results in lower emissions and lower energy consumption.
The Yilkins Drying Technology reduces water to a moisture level of less than 2%. This reduces the decomposition of produced pellets and spontaneous heat generation resulting in a longer shelf life and less dependence on the seasonality.
Investing in a Yilkins Pellet Plant is investing at lower costs. Final financial result is a payback time of 2 to 5 years.
Modular (extendable) system with limited footprint and scalable capacity between 0,1 MT – 2,0 MT per hour.
Compact structure resulting in up to 30% lower investment compared to existing drying systems.
Cost of operations can be kept low:
Highly efficient drying technology saves on energy.
24/7 operational capabilities with remote control option.
Low maintenance costs due to an advanced combustion system.
Use of residues as fuel and condensation of combustion gasses developed during the process.
The result is a saving on operational costs up to 50% compared to conventional systems.
The high energy density results in a reduction of 30% on logistics costs. The reduction in moisture content prevents decomposition of product as a result of spontaneous heat generation during storage. Result is that the usual 5% product loss is avoided.
The dryer ensures constant residence time.
The dried product has a consistent quality, stable moisture content and a low ash content.
Result is a lower investment (smaller boiler) and higher operational reliability, minimal pollution and a consistent heat supply with a boiler efficiency increased by 10%.
The residues released during the process (dust and undersized fraction of biomass) can be used as fuel for heat generation in the drying and torrefaction process.
Lower emissions during processing due to deployment of a high-quality product. During the production, combustion gas is created, which results in lower emissions and lower energy consumption.
The Yilkins Drying Technology reduces water to a moisture level of less than 2%. This reduces the decomposition of produced pellets and spontaneous heat generation resulting in a longer shelf life and less dependence on the seasonality.

New Energy Risk Supports Yilkins’ Low-Carbon Fuel Production Projects with Custom Insurance Solution
Insurance solution provides a warranty backstop for Yilkins’ novel biomass drying and torrefaction technology
New Energy Risk (NER), a division of Paragon specializing in customized insurance technology solutions for energy transition projects, has partnered with Yilkins to provide a performance warranty backstop insurance program. This collaboration supports Yilkins’ project pipeline in the production of low-carbon intensity fuels using their innovative biomass drying and torrefaction technology.
Over the course of five years, Yilkins has developed its novel drying and torrefaction technologies. To support the commercial deployment of Yilkins’ technology at major international companies and facilitate global expansion, New Energy Risk, in collaboration with Markel Insurance SE, designed a tailored insurance solution. This solution enables Yilkins to secure the value and performance of its warranties for customers without the need for extensive capitalization.
“We appreciate that Yilkins has put their trust and confidence in NER’s support to help grow their business and enhance customer adoption of their technology,” said New Energy Risk CEO, Tom Dickson.
New Energy Risk has a history of supporting technologies and projects that provide cleaner utilization pathways for non-traditional and difficult-to-manage waste and residual streams such as municipal waste, agricultural waste, and industrial residues.