Biotech Updates

UK-Based Brackenburn Turns Invasive Plant into Biofuel

September 7, 2016
http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/weston-super-mare-s-brackenburn-believe-they-are-the-first-to-turn-bracken-into-sustainable-fuel/story-29678904-detail/story.html#fP6Q2YloTmrfpSCw.99

Brackenburn, a new company in England, has developed a process that turns bracken into briquette style logs called "Brackettes".

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is a large fern considered as a nuisance plant in England. Brackenburn will harvest 1,200 tons of Bracken this autumn when ground nesting birds are long gone, since bracken is home for birds and butterflies in spring and summer.
 
The use of bracken can decrease the need to cut down trees and will not demand the use of energy crops that compete with food crops for arable land. Furthermore, the residue from brackette production is high in potash, and can be used as natural fertilizer.

The project has already gained support from local landowners and farmers. Brackenburn has also recently completed a factory upgrade to increase production of "Brackettes".