Biomass Supplies earns Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials certification

Biomass Supplies (Pvt.) Ltd, a company based in Sri Lanka, earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for biomass produced from branches pruned from live fences of Gliricidia trees. The certification covers Biomass Supplies’ work with 30,000 small farmers who have planted 60 million new trees on their fences.

Gliricidia is a fast-growing, short-rotation tree found naturally in Sri Lanka.

The Biomass group (parent company) is now implementing an IT system to track every farmer, monitor the fuelwood inventory, document the impact on livelihoods, and calculate the carbon sink of the trees that are planted. “The Biomass group’s small farmer engagement and positive alternative to coal and fossil fuels in the region is a great example of sustainability in action,” said RSB Executive Director Rolf Hogan.

Biomass Supplies is the first operation in Southeast Asia to earn the RSB certification and the first smallholder project to become RSB certified in Asia. Sustainability, traceability and accreditation will enable Biomass Supplies to command fair prices which in turn will provide local farmers with a better income.

“This is an agro-energy programme that combines food and fuel sourced from small farmers and plantation owners in a very innovative partnership,” said Biomass Group Founder Lucky Dissanayake.

“This company offers the potential for transformative impact in the agricultural communities we work in. Passing RSB’s stringent certification requirements shows that we are serious in demonstrating our sustainability credentials.”