The world’s largest wood pellet plant is coming to one of the smallest towns in Central Louisiana.
German Pellets GmbH will begin work immediately on a $300 million plant in Urania that is expected to employ about 80 people directly and support more than 400 indirect jobs, officials with the company and Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance announced Wednesday. The plant is expected to be operational in the spring of 2014.
“We are ecstatic about the decision by German Pellets to locate in Urania,” said Rick Ranson, vice president-major employers for CLEDA. “German Pellets is a premier company and this is an historic announcement, not only for Urania and LaSalle Parish, but also the entire Central Louisiana region.”
“Pellet consumption worldwide is on the rise, especially in Europe,” said German Pellets Chief Executive Officer Peter Leibold. “This means that the construction of large production capacities is necessary.”
Demand for wood pellets from the European power plant market for the generation of electricity has risen sharply, according to a company release. There is also increasing demand for the product to generate heat for private consumers and larger scale users such as schools and hospitals.
From The Town Talk: https://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130418/BUSINESS/304180018/German-company-open-wood-pellet-factory-Urania?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1