Terval scales tailor-made biomass supply for Europe
In this edition of Meet our Members, Nicolas Strunden, Head of Renewables at Terval, shares how the Liège- and Paris-based company is scaling renewable solid fuels, from white pellets and agro-residues to black pellets and biocarbon. He explains how Terval combines trading and multimodal logistics to deliver tailor-made biomass solutions for power, industry and heating, while supporting customers on technical performance and compliance with EU rules like RED, EUDR and ETD.
Where are you based?
Terval’s headquarters are located in Liège, Belgium. We also have an office in Paris, where I am based with my team.
What does your company do?
For more than 40 years, Terval has been supplying and processing solid fuels across Western Europe. Today, we offer a broad portfolio of renewable products, ranging from white pellets and agro-residues to black pellets and biocarbon. We also operate a 15-hectare terminal in Liège, equipped with multimodal logistics solutions as well as processing and storage facilities.
What do you do?
I am Head of Renewables. I lead the strategic development and operational optimization of our global biomass supply chain. My role bridges the gap between complex international sourcing and the specific technical requirements of large-scale industrial energy transitions.
How is your team structured?
Our Our teams are split between Liège and Paris. Our guiding principle is cross-functionality: everyone contributes in some way to the commercial side, alongside dedicated experts in trading, industrial projects, and sustainability. Our activities focus mainly on physical and financial trading, supported by a high-performance operations team.
What value do your products and/or services bring to your customers?
Terval combines trading, industrial, and service activities. This structure allows us to deliver tailor-made solutions that address specific quality requirements and logistical constraints. We are active across the three main biomass markets: power generation, large industrial clients, and domestic heating.
Do your solutions contribute to sustainability, efficiency, or innovation?
Yes, particularly for smaller customers and those new to biomass. We provide technical support through our engineering team, for example on combustion-related topics, and advise clients on selecting the most suitable fuel. From a sustainability perspective, we support our partners in complying with applicable regulations such as RED (Renewable Energy Directive), EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation), and ETD (Energy Taxation Directive).
How does EU policy impact your business?
EU policy is a key driver of our strategy. We see it not only as a constraint, but also as a major opportunity. Thanks to our strong internal consulting capabilities, we support the transition of our portfolio and assets from coal to biomass, in line with the broader decarbonisation of European industry.
What motivated you to join Bioenergy Europe?
Joining Bioenergy Europe was an obvious choice, as it is the leading biomass association in Europe.
How does membership support your goals and industry engagement?
We value the open and continuous exchange with the Bioenergy Europe team. The working groups, in particular, are a valuable way to stay up to date on specific technical and regulatory topics.
What’s next for your company?
Terval is experiencing strong growth in traded volumes, geographic footprint, customer base, and especially in team development. This momentum is expected to accelerate further next year.
Any upcoming projects, innovations, or growth plans?
We are working closely with our traditional coal customers to support their transition to alternative fuels. In parallel, we are developing partnerships with clients to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions.
