Southwestern Virginia is set to benefit from a $7.5 million expansion of Musser Biomass and Wood Products, bringing new, high-paying jobs to the area and more than doubling its production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust.

Musser Biomass and Wood products, a division of family-owned and -operated Musser Lumber Company based in Virgina, US, will invest $7.5 million (€6.8m) and create ten new jobs to expand its operation in Wythe County.

The expansion will more than double production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust the company supplies to composite decking manufacturers, plastic extrusion companies, and BBQ and heating wood pellet companies.

Musser Biomass and Wood Products will also significantly increase its purchase volumes of hardwood residuals from regional sawmills, which will create a new market for this operational byproduct, according to a statement released by Glenn Youngkin, governor of Virginia.
“Virginia’s forestry industry adds more than $23 billion [€21bn] to the Commonwealth’s economy and employs over 108,000 Virginians, making it our third largest private sector industry,” said Youngkin. “Supporting companies like Musser Biomass and Wood Products helps to keep this industry strong and also spurs economic development in our rural communities.”

“I commend the Musser family for investing in the equipment and facilities needed to better connect Virginia forestland owners with the fast-growing market of wood residuals,” said secretary of agriculture and forestry, Matthew Lohr. “I am pleased that the Commonwealth could partner with Wythe County through the Governor’s AFID Fund to support the expansion of this long-standing family business.”
Established in 1968 by Mike Musser and his sons Ed and Mick, Musser Lumber Company specialises in drying, surfacing, and planing of hardwood lumber for flooring and paneling.

In 2020, in an opportunity to expand its operations, the Mussers established Musser Biomass and Wood Products, which has enabled the company to purchase sawdust and wood chips from their mill supply base and grow its sales of these materials.
Musser Biomass and Wood Products plans to bring on a second dryer this year and then open a pulpwood and log yard to supply its dryer operations.

“We continue to execute our long-term plans to make Musser Biomass and Wood Products the top source for hardwood fiber solutions in the biomass industry. From heating and BBQ pellets, composite decking and other biomass markets, we are truly redefining the dry wood fiber market,” said Musser Biomass and Wood Products president Ed Musser. “We are very appreciative of the support we have received from both our local administrators and the Governor.”