AGRITECH
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC (ATP) is a company focused on the development and commercialization of torrefaction technology, a mild-heating process for cellulosic biomass that toasts and removes moisture, creating a dry, energy-dense and more useable form of biomass that can be used for various renewable energy applications. The company manufactures torrefaction equipment that will convert cellulosic biomass such as wood chips, underbrush and bio-crops into a substance that can be used as a source for renewable fuel for electricity generation, or as a feedstock from which to make liquid fuels.
The company has been involved in biomass torrefaction efforts since 2007, when it teamed up with North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the goal of commercializing the university's torrefaction technology. In January 2009, the company's relationship with NCSU developed into an exclusive license agreement. Joe James, ATP's president, describes how the company sought out torrefaction technology after researching new markets and potential uses for biomass from the national forest:
"We got into the business of making torrefaction equipment because we recognized that there are a lot of challenges in the harvesting, preprocessing and shipping of biomass—particularly cellulosic material—due to its 50 percent moisture content, bulkiness, low-energy value and transportation limitations. We learned about what NCSU had been doing. They were involved in conducting research and development to develop new, more cost-effective ways to use torrefaction. As we looked at it, we noticed that this would be the solution for us and would facilitate more efficient use of cellulosic biomass worldwide."
Company Location Logic and Structure
ATP is located in Columbia, South Carolina. James explains that the southeastern United States serves as a favorable location for a business in the biomass industry: "The Southeast has an abundant supply of cellulosic biomass, particularly in the forest
The company has been involved in biomass torrefaction efforts since 2007, when it teamed up with North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the goal of commercializing the university's torrefaction technology. In January 2009, the company's relationship with NCSU developed into an exclusive license agreement. Joe James, ATP's president, describes how the company sought out torrefaction technology after researching new markets and potential uses for biomass from the national forest:
"We got into the business of making torrefaction equipment because we recognized that there are a lot of challenges in the harvesting, preprocessing and shipping of biomass—particularly cellulosic material—due to its 50 percent moisture content, bulkiness, low-energy value and transportation limitations. We learned about what NCSU had been doing. They were involved in conducting research and development to develop new, more cost-effective ways to use torrefaction. As we looked at it, we noticed that this would be the solution for us and would facilitate more efficient use of cellulosic biomass worldwide."
Company Location Logic and Structure
ATP is located in Columbia, South Carolina. James explains that the southeastern United States serves as a favorable location for a business in the biomass industry: "The Southeast has an abundant supply of cellulosic biomass, particularly in the forest