Rayonier outlines 70-megawatt biomass plan at Jessup, pursues sustainable aviation fuel project

Ben Chambers, who leads U.S. external affairs for Rayonier Advanced Materials, told the Resource Management committee his company’s Jessup, Wayne County, mill is pursuing two large projects: a biomass power plant and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

Chambers said the Altima Green Energy biomass project would generate about 70 megawatts of renewable electricity by collecting and burning forest residuals rather than allowing them to decay or be burned in the field. He described the feedstock as “about 950 to 950,000 to a million, tons of forest residuals,” and said the project is a joint venture with Beasley Green Power and that Rayonier is “working closely” with Georgia Power, Georgia Transmission and the state environmental agency.

Chambers also described a planned SAF effort at Jessup and in France, including a joint evaluation with Verso Energy of biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen to produce sustainable aviation fuel. He called the SAF opportunity “major,” saying some projects under consideration could be “$2,000,000,000 plus.” Chambers highlighted Rayonier’s local footprint—about 800 full-time employees at Jessup, extensive supplier relationships and an R&D center focused on advanced biomaterials—and said the company aims to expand sustainable manufacturing and support rural Georgia jobs.

Chambers framed the projects as both economic and environmental: he said Raynoier produces most on-site energy from biomass and that the company’s investments can modernize power infrastructure on-site while providing regional renewable generation. He concluded by offering facility tours and supporting follow-up during the committee’s off-season work. No committee action or funding commitments were made during the briefing.