Drax Biomass Inc. (DBI) began start up production at its newest facility, LaSalle BioEnergy in Urania, Louisiana. The wood pellet manufacturing facility, which is roughly 160 miles northwest of Baton Rouge can produce approximately 450,000 metric tons of wood pellets per year. LaSalle BioEnergy will employee approximately 78 employees and is the third pellet plant in DBI’s portfolio.

A series of upgrades and repairs have been ongoing at the plant since the acquisition in early April of 2017, supporting a further investment of more than $20 million for the region. The asset was a strategic investment considering LaSalle BioEnergy’s proximity to an abundant wood basket and its production capacity that supports DBI’s strategy of increasing self-supply.

LaSalle BioEnergy further demonstrates DBI’s commitment to the revitalization of the local wood products sector, which has suffered in recent years from the closure of several large-scale paper mills. Drax Biomass is committed to expanding its positive presence and supporting the communities in which it operates by promoting sustainable forestry and investing in local economic development.

Drax Biomass Inc. is a manufacturer of compressed wood pellets produced from sustainably managed working forests.