Zilkha Biomass Opens Alabama Fuel Pellet Mill, Plans Two More

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Zilkha Biomass Energy LLC (Houston, Texas) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to mark the completion of a fuel pellet mill project in Selma, Alabama.

In August 2013, Zilkha acquired the idled Dixie Pellet mill at Selma, and has converted it to produce Zilkha's black pellets, which differ from conventional wood fuel pellets. The black pellets are water-resistant and denser than traditional pellets, and they can be stored outside, like coal. The denser pellets contain more energy and cost less to ship. The plant has an annual production of 275,000 tons per year.

The retrofits had a total investment value of more than $18 million. The plant is expected to create 50 jobs for Selma and Dallas County. W.G. Yates & Sons (Birmingham, Alabama) acted as the general contractor for the project.

Zilkha also plans to build black pellet mills from the ground up in Alabama and Arkansas. Both plants are undergoing permitting, with construction expected to begin in the near future.

The plant planned for Jackson, Alabama, has a total investment value of $100 million, and will produce 480,000 to 500,000 tons per year. The smaller mill planned for Monticello, Arkansas, estimated at $90 million in investment value, will produce 275,000 tons per year. Both projects are expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2016.

For related information, see December 8, 2014, article - Zilkha Biomass Energy Nears Completion of Alabama Pellet Mill Retrofit.

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