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Thursday, September 20, 2018

New Zealand: Using direct use geothermal “just completes the picture for customers”

Geothermal energy key to business sustainability (SunLive)

(Courtesy Sequal Lumber)

A Kawerau-based company believes it’s found a niche in the sawn lumber export market.

Sequal Lumber, says it’s found a way to tap into geothermal energy while providing a unique customer experience in a sustainable fashion.

The sources its wood from sustainable forests, and head of sales and marketing, Rhys Arrowsmith says knowing the wood is dried in an environmentally friendly manner using direct use geothermal “just completes the picture for customers”.

Without the geothermal, and the company’s strong relationship with geothermal supplier Ngati Tuwharetoa Geothermal Assets, Rhys says the options would be as a green mill not drying product, or having to use waste residue or fossil fuels for the energy supply for kiln drying.

“While the geothermal came later for our business it was always on the horizon and has natural synergy with our ethos. It has proven to be a great enabler. We are very lucky to have the geothermal asset on our doorstep here at Kawerau.”