Innovation

Bio Block began as a millwork company providing products to construction companies until around 2008. It currently focuses on reclaiming 100% recycled kiln dried hardwoods that would otherwise be sent off as waste and re-engineering these waste products into a pressed solid wood block for use as a clean burning energy source. These hardwoods consist of maple, oak hickory, cherry, and poplar. Once these waste by-products come into the facility they are broken down into sawdust piles by type, where the journey to a compressed sawdust product begins. The sawdust is the pressed into blocks. These pressed and blended wood blocks allow for a more even, clean burn than traditional logged wood.

Inspiration

When the economic crisis hit, the company, like many others, looked to find new ways to generate revenue. During the exploration, Gary Miller began to focus on his love of alternative energy sources. Eventually this passion drove the search, leading to the ability to take their existing millwork by-product and create a compressed wood block utilized for heating. The Miller’s began to heavily research this business opportunity.

A company in Connecticut had accomplished something similar, so they set up a meeting to further explore the idea. After the meeting the Miller’s were convinced that this would be their move. They worked on developing their plant process to create a fire product derived from mill work and left over lumber. In 2012 Bio Block closed their millwork business and worked exclusively on Bio Block. Once Victoria and Gary began to focus on recycled wood waste , milling companies from all over began to call on them to take their waste by-products. Bio Block began to become a more cost effective way of disposing of waste by-products for mills looking to get rid of their waste.

Overall impact

Bio Block is not only helping the environment by providing a clean burning alternative to traditional wood, they are utilizing a waste stream that otherwise would be disposed of and turning it into a marketable product. They are supporting their own business as well as adding a revenue stream to mills where there once was only waste. Additionally, by providing a product that is dense and clean burning, air pollution is reduced. There is also the possibility to mitigate the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer that causes such devastation to forests by reducing the amount of transported firewood throughout the country. The potential benefits from this innovation are far-reaching and potentially extremely significant.

Business benefit

Once Victoria and Gary began to focus on recycled wood waste , milling companies from all over began to call on them to take their waste by-products. Bio Block began to become a more cost effective way of disposing of waste by-products for millworks looking to get rid of their product. Along with becoming a full time alternative energy source in 2012 they also won the Wooster Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

Social and environmental benefit

Restaurants are a particular target market, as the clean burning product is of particular appeal to them. The appeal of traditional wood use comes with significant increased HVAC cost because of the need to filter out dirty particulate matter. Bio Block offer a cleaner solution without the need for those expensive filtration systems.

Bio Blocks can be found in various retailers nationwide including Ace and Heinen's locally. Victoria is beginning to expand their product placement to include campgrounds, state and national parks. Their solution offers relief for the transportation of firewood that often times results in the expansion of the Emerald Ash Borer that is responsible for the numerous acres of forest devastation.

With the expansion to restaurants and campgrounds Bio Blocks is beginning to expand their operation and product line. Gary has recently introduced their own firepit. Bio Blocks are the next generation of alternative energy and provides a recyclable, hotter, cleaner burning solution for your home, restaurant, or the outdoors.

Interview

Victoria Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing