Koehler Group and Zollikofer Group start biomass joint venture

The Koehler Group and the Zollikofer Group hereby announce that, effective July 2021 and subject to an antitrust review, Koehler Renewable Energy will be acquiring a 60% majority stake in the Zollikofer Group in order to ensure the long-term supply of raw materials for its biomass power plants. The Koehler Group has set a goal of producing more energy from renewable sources than is required for its paper production operations by 2030, and this acquisition should ensure the long-term provision of biomass for its existing and planned biomass power plants. Zollikofer is an international logistics and commercial company that is headquartered in Bad Wurzach, Germany, and focuses on sawmill byproducts and reclaimed, forest, and fuelwood.

Sustainable fuel will help keep “Koehler promise for 2030”

In order to keep its “2030 promise,” the Koehler Group has been betting on sustainable energy since 2012 with Koehler Renewable Energy (KRE). Since then, it has implemented numerous projects in the areas of wind energy, photovoltaics, hydroelectric power, and combined heat and power throughout Europe. In addition, the family-run enterprise recently announced that it would be converting its power plant at its Oberkirch location to biomass as part of its sustainability strategy. In fact, this use of biomass instead of coal should reduce CO2 emissions by more than 150,000 metric tons per year. The group already owns multiple lumber yards for making chips for biomaterials and thermal energy in order to ensure that it can supply its biomass power plants with regional fuels. Koehler CEO Kai M. Furler says: “This joint venture will ensure that we have the required amount of fuel for our biomass power plants in the long term. We have found a dependable and vital partner in Zollikofer, and they are not only a family business like us, but have also pursued ambitious long-term recycling and waste-to-energy targets.”

Joint venture creates large-scale supplier of biomass in the German-speaking region

The Zollikofer Group was founded in Bad Wurzach, Germany, in 1966 and since then has become a large-scale supplier of processing, treatment, trade, and logistics services for wood and wood products – especially sawmill byproducts, bark products, reclaimed wood, and biomass used for recycling and thermal energy. Zollikofer CEO Wilfried Zollikofer points out: “This joint venture with Koehler will make our plans more reliable when it comes to selling our biomass and will enable us to grow more in the future as a result.” It is also important to note that the Zollikofer brand will remain on the market.

With this important step, the Koehler Energy Group will see its annual revenue jump to more than 100 million euros. Moreover, it will be employing more than 300 people.