Weyerhaeuser Co. and Aymium entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner to produce and sell 1.5 million tons of sustainable biocarbon annually for use in metals production. As an initial stage of this partnership, the companies have formed a joint venture —TerraForge Biocarbon Solutions—to build a jointly owned facility adjacent Weyerhaeuser’s sawmill in McComb, Miss., which will convert wood fiber into biocarbon through a combustion-free, low-emissions process.

The companies will secure long-term biocarbon sales agreements and identify sites to construct multiple new production facilities across the Weyerhaeuser footprint over the next five years, which will include Aymium’s proprietary technology for producing and supplying biocarbon products globally.

At full scale, the platform of operating facilities will have the potential to convert more than 7 million tons of wood fiber—provided exclusively by Weyerhaeuser—to deliver 1.5 million tons of metallurgical-grade biocarbon annually as a drop-in replacement for coal in iron, steel, silicon, ferro-alloys and other metals production.

Aymium has generated a significant global sales pipeline based on years of trials with leading global metals producers. The company claims its products are engineered to immediately replace coal without the need for capital investment or process modification, and with superior carbon levels, energy value, handling and environmental attributes to coal.

“This partnership combines our renewable fiber resources and supply chain expertise with Aymium’s innovative technology and experience,” says Devin Stockfish, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser. “It represents a major step forward in growing the scale and impact of our Climate Solutions business, and it’s also a key part of our broader accelerated growth strategy through 2030. When the McComb facility comes online in 2027, it’s going to generate new demand for fiber in the region—supporting our McComb operations and local timberlands teams—while creating more great jobs in the community. It’s a model we look forward to replicating across our footprint.”

“The reliability, scale of sustainable supply and forestland expertise of Weyerhaeuser provide unmatched sourcing security of our main raw material to support expansion,” adds James Mennell, CEO of Aymium. “Through this partnership we will significantly grow our manufacturing capacity to produce biocarbon as an immediately scalable, renewable replacement for coal and coke, while delivering differentiated value for our customers.”

The initial project includes construction of a new manufacturing facility that will house two biocarbon processors to transform wood fiber through a combustion-free, low-emissions process into metallurgical-grade biocarbon.

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. MDA also is providing assistance with infrastructure improvements. Pike County is assisting with the project as well.

TerraForge Biocarbon Solutions expects to complete the project and fill jobs by 2027.

Aymium operates four large production facilities in North America and is headquartered in Minnesota.

MPE Partners along with its portfolio company, Webster Industries, announced the closing of its acquisition of Renold plc, a leading designer, engineer, manufacturer, and supplier of premium, high specification industrial chain and torque transmission products.

With manufacturing facilities located across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Renold supplies a diverse base of global customers in more than 100 countries across a broad range of industrial power transmission applications. Renold’s products are critical to end-users’ operating environments wherever materials are lifted, moved, rotated, or conveyed and are used in end markets such as manufactured products, material handling, energy, forestry, and agriculture.

The transformative combination of Webster and Renold creates a market-leading chain and power transmission products platform with premium brands by expanding product offering, diversifying end markets and geographic footprint, and unlocking commercial opportunities. The acquisition represents a strategic step forward in Webster’s long-term vision to build the global leader in automation, material handling, and power transmission solutions.

Following the acquisition, both Webster and Renold will continue to operate out of their current manufacturing facilities, with no changes to day-to-day business operations. The combined platform will be headquartered in the U.S.

American Wood Council (AWC) announced the election of West Fraser President and CEO Sean McLaren as the new Board Chair for a two-year term. McLaren will be joined by SmartLam CEO Derek Ratchford, who was elected First Vice Chair, and PotlatchDeltic’s Vice President of Wood Products, Ashlee Cribb, who was elected Second Vice Chair. The terms are effective January 1, 2026.

Along with electing a new Chair and Vice Chairs, three new members of the Board were elected. Will Lampe, President and CEO of Lampe and Malphrus Lumber, will represent the Lumber Segment. Craig Sichling of LP Building Solutions will represent the Structural Panel Segment. Charles McRae, owner of Rex Lumber, will sit on the Environmental Committee.

The full AWC Board includes: Sean McLaren (West Fraser), Derek Ratchford (SmartLam), Ashlee Cribb (PotlatchDeltic), Ricky Stanley (TR Miller Mill), Marc Brinkmeyer (Idaho Forest Group), Furman Brodie (Charles Ingram Lumber), Brian Chaney (Weyerhaeuser), George Emmerson (Sierra Pacific Industries), Jim Enright (Pacific Woodtech), Stuart Gray (Roseburg Forest Products), Rick Jeffery (Canadian Wood Council), Nate Jorgensen (Boise Cascade), Stephen Mackie (Canfor Southern Pine), Fritz Mason (Georgia-Pacific), Andrew Miller (Stimson Lumber), Cade Warner (Westervelt), Will Lampe (Lampe and Malphrus Lumber), Craig Sichling (LP Building Solutions), and Charles McRae (Rex Lumber).