“This conference fits perfectly with the objectivesof Task 40 Bioenergy Agreement of theInternational Energy Agency. This working group,in which 14 countries (including the US, Brazil,Japan and various EU members) collaborate withrepresentatives from industryandacademia, focuses on development of sustainable,international bioenergy markets and trade,recognizing that availability of sustainable andaffordable biomass resources is a key prerequisitefor large scale bioenergy deployment.

This conference focuses on one of the ''hotregions'' in the world from this perspective, the SEof the United States, which is recognized nationallyand internationally as a region where biomasspotentials are impressive and industrial and logisiticcapabilities are top notch. Many market players are active here, both targeting export of biomass based commodities as well as building regionalcapacity for energyproduction or biomaterialapplications.

Despite the sense of excitement around thepotentials and market perspectives, variousinterests must be balanced out and sustainableproduction and use of biomass resources and landmust be secured to guarantee lasting business and sustainable biomass use for both energy andmaterials. High quality debate and learning fromexperiences from key players in the region andaround the globe is therefore essential. Thisconference comes therefore at a very timely moment and is fully supported by IEA Task 40 which targets to stimulate debate and exchange of state-of-the-art knowledge and experiences in this field around theworld."