Biomass conference in Ho Chi Minh City targets new markets for wood pellets and biocarbon

Southeast Asia’s biomass sector will gather in Ho Chi Minh City on 18–19 November 2026 as buyers, producers and policy watchers assess shifting fuel demand, tighter sustainability rules and new uses for biomass in green steel, biochar and carbon removal. The 10th Biomass & BioEnergy Asia is expected to draw about 300 stakeholders from across the regional and international supply chain.

Why it matters: - Southeast Asia’s biomass industry is facing a reset in export demand as Japan and South Korea stay important buyers but procurement rules and sustainability standards become stricter. - The sector is also looking beyond power generation toward industrial decarbonisation, biocarbon and carbon removal, which could open higher-value markets for agricultural residues and woody biomass. - The event is expected to bring together close to 300 stakeholders from the regional and international biomass value chain, giving suppliers and buyers a place to compare demand trends and project economics.

What happened: - The 10th Biomass & BioEnergy Asia will take place on 18–19 November 2026 at Le Méridien Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. - Centre for Management Technology (CMT) is organising the conference. - The programme will cover changing biomass trade, industrial fuel use and emerging applications in black pellets, torrefied biomass, biochar and industrial biocarbon.

The details: - Fiona Matthews of Hawkins Wright will review global wood pellet market trends, production costs and demand outlook. - Speakers from RWE Supply & Trading, RENOVA and the Polish Pellet Council will add views on biomass procurement and market opportunities. - Sessions will address certification, quality assurance and supplier readiness for standards including RED III and EUDR. - Tuas Power will discuss biomass procurement and supply-chain development. - Nestlé Philippines will share experience from its biomass transition, with a focus on fuel sourcing, supply reliability and industrial implementation. - Kathrin Weber of SINTEF Energy Research will cover feedstock selection, production conditions and industrial biocarbon applications. - Prof. Govind Gupta will discuss agricultural biomass engineering and its potential to replace coal in steelmaking. - The conference will also highlight commercial developments in black pellet production in Vietnam. - A dedicated panel will examine production economics, scalability and future demand for black pellets. - Alex Nguyen of Mekong Biochar Initiative will discuss bankable biochar carbon removal projects, including financing, carbon markets and lessons from Vietnam.

Between the lines: - The conference agenda shows a market moving from bulk fuel exports to more specialised, higher-margin products and services. - Sustainability compliance is becoming a commercial requirement, not just a policy issue, as buyers press for certified and traceable supply. - The inclusion of green steel and carbon removal signals that biomass producers are seeking demand beyond traditional power markets.

What's next: - The conference will include a welcome drinks and pre-registration session on 17 November from 17:00–19:00. - A 10th Anniversary Networking Reception is scheduled for 18 November from 17:00–19:00 at the Level 9 Poolside at Le Méridien Saigon. - The reception will be sponsored and hosted by CellMark Asia and will feature live music, drinks, dinner and networking. - The event is supported by the Vietnam Wood Pellet Association, with Uniexport Group as Host Sponsor, CellMark as Gold Sponsor and Northflare Energy as Corporate Sponsor. - Programme and registration information is available here.

The bottom line: - Southeast Asia’s biomass sector is using this year’s Ho Chi Minh City gathering to test where future growth will come from as export markets tighten and new industrial applications expand.