Empowering the Next Generation of Forestry and Bioeconomy Leaders
The WIDE Trust proudly supported emerging forestry and bioeconomy professionals at two of New Zealand’s leading industry events this year: the Residues-to-Revenues 2025 Conference and the inaugural Bioeconomy Innovations 2025 Conference, held in Rotorua on 21-22 October 2025. These events brought together nearly 300 delegates from science, industry, and government to explore the latest innovations for extracting energy and value from wood fibres and biowaste.
Spotlight on Innovation: The Rotorua Bioeconomy Hub
A highlight of the conferences was the official announcement of the $63 million Bio Factory research facility, scheduled to open next year at the Rotorua Campus of the Bioeconomy Science Institute. This commercial-scale facility will convert low-value wood, food waste, and animal by-products into high-value chemicals, glues, and bioplastics, supporting both innovation and sustainability in New Zealand’s bioeconomy. The Bio Factory aims to:
Identify new opportunities in wood fibre, pulp, biopolymer, packaging, and biochemical industries.
Increase New Zealand’s energy security by leveraging forest and waste biomass for bioenergy.
Adding to the excitement, Hon Simon Watts, Minister for Energy, released the Government Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan, signalling a national commitment to boosting biomass as a renewable energy source.
Insights from Global and Local Experts
The conferences featured over 32 presentations and 16 panel Q&A sessions, offering delegates insights on:
Regional forest biomass supply and demand
Biomass resource pricing and market options
Wood chipping and grinding innovations
Residues recovery and logistics
Development of new bio-products and bioenergy hubs
WIDE Trust-Supported Young Professionals
Three young professionals attended the conferences thanks to WIDE Trust sponsorship, gaining invaluable experience:
Archie Woodhouse – Bioeconomy Innovations 2025
Archie explored how forest resources can be converted into high-value products, highlighting the potential of the Bio Factory to drive commercialisation of advanced biochemicals and biomaterials.
Liam Gilroy – Residues-to-Revenues 2025
Liam gained insights into biomass as an energy source, including the use of torrefied pellets and biochar, and the importance of domestic processing to strengthen New Zealand’s forestry sector.
Natarsha O’Flaherty – Residues-to-Revenues 2025
Natarsha reflected on the phrase “a tree is a battery with bark”, emphasising the role of biomass in supporting regional energy, sustainability, and decarbonisation, inspired by government and industry initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Residues-to-Revenues and Bioeconomy Innovations conferences reinforced that New Zealand’s forestry and bioeconomy sectors are evolving beyond traditional timber exports. Delegates explored how innovative processing, emerging technologies, and high-value bio-products can:
Drive economic resilience in the forestry sector
Support decarbonisation of industrial heat and energy generation
Strengthen regional economies and create new industries
Contribute to a circular, sustainable bioeconomy
WIDE Trust is proud to sponsor the next generation of forestry and bioeconomy leaders, giving them hands-on experience with cutting-edge innovation and strategies that are shaping New Zealand’s sustainable future.