🎇🌲2025 Year-End Review 🌲🎇
As we look back on 2025, we’re proud to highlight some of Woodland BIO’s most meaningful achievements. This year marked a period of growth, progress, and strong collaboration—made possible by the continued support of our community. From prestigious events to new partnerships, here are a few highlights from an incredible year:
PA Farm Show 2025 🚜
Woodland BIO returned to the Pennsylvania Farm Show for another fantastic year, connecting with friends, partners, and leaders who share our passion for sustainable forestry and innovation. We joined the PA Hardwood Development Council at their booth to showcase how #PAworkingforestswork, featuring our new laser-etched wood cars—crafted with precision by Laser Leaf—and met with key figures like DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, State Forester Seth Cassell, and Benjamin Livelsberger to discuss the benefits of #PAworkingforestswork.
The event was also an opportunity to meet long-time virtual collaborators in person, including Michael Roth, PA Department of Agriculture's Director of Conservation and Innovation, where we explored the potential of our biomass-to-gasoline facility in Tioga, PA, and its alignment with the state’s goals for sustainable agriculture and energy.
Additionally, Woodland BIO attended the PA International Delegation Partnerships Forum, engaging with officials and stakeholders across sectors, strengthening connections, and celebrating the commitment and passion for Powering Pennsylvania.”
As the show wrapped up, we reflected on the inspiring conversations, shared vision, and collaborative spirit that made this event so special. From hands-on exhibits to strategic discussions, the PA Farm Show reinforced our commitment to driving innovation, promoting sustainable energy, and continuing our journey of turning wood into gasoline.
Woodland BIO has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
We are proud to announce that Woodland BIO has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. This endorsement is a major milestone for us, validating years of work and supporting our mission to create sustainable fuel solutions in Pennsylvania. We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for recognizing our potential! We are excited to contribute to the state's vibrant agriculture industry and make a positive environmental impact.
Partnership with Penn State 🦁💙
Woodland BIO is proud to continue building partnership with Penn State University, centered on advancing sustainable energy, forestry innovation, and economic development in Pennsylvania. Through collaborative research, fieldwork, and participation in key Penn State–led events, this partnership plays a critical role in the development of our biomass-to-fuel facility in Tioga County, PA.
Throughout the year, Woodland BIO and Penn State connected at several key events, including the Invent Penn State University Venture & IP Conference, the Penn State Biorenewables Symposium, and Ag Progress Days at the Russell E. Larson Research Center. These events provided valuable opportunities to engage with investors, researchers, students, and industry leaders, while sharing insights into our wood-based gasoline technology and learning from Pennsylvania’s agriculture and forestry communities.
A cornerstone of this partnership is the joint life-cycle analysis led by Penn State faculty members Chris Costello, Daniel Ciolkosz, and Juliana Vasco-Correa, with meaningful contributions from Penn State students. This work is strengthened through collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), including field visits with Forest Program Manager Shawn Lehman, offering firsthand insight into sustainable forest management and ecosystem regeneration.
At its core, the Woodland BIO–Penn State partnership unites researchers, students, industry, and community stakeholders to turn sustainable ideas into real-world outcomes—advancing renewable energy, forest health, and local job creation across Pennsylvania
Project Updates at the 2025 Tioga County Legislative Breakfast and Develop Tioga Board Meeting
Woodland BIO was proud to participate in the 2025 Tioga County Legislative Breakfast, hosted by Develop Tioga, which brought together local businesses, elected officials, and policymakers to discuss Tioga County’s social and economic priorities and underscore the importance of strong partnerships for sustainable regional growth.
The event also provided an opportunity to reconnect with community members and local leaders who have supported our work, helping advance planning for our biomass-to-gasoline facility in Tioga County while ensuring the project remains aligned with local priorities, sustainability goals, and long-term economic benefits.
In addition, Woodland BIO shared project updates at the Develop Tioga Board meeting, highlighting the transition into Phase 2 engineering, including third-party validation of facility designs, and outlining the upcoming site selection process to identify the most suitable location for the facility.
The project is expected to create up to 100 jobs, supporting workforce development and strengthening the local economy. Woodland BIO remains committed to sustainability, responsible resource use, and ongoing community engagement as we work toward a resilient, circular energy future for Tioga County.
Woodland BIO at PFMA
We were invited to attend the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association annual conference in Bedford, PA.
It was a great opportunity to connect with Pennsylvania retailers to talk about carrying our wood-based sustainable gasoline once the Tioga County biomass-to-gasoline facility starts operation.
We met with several well-known retailers who expressed interest in carrying a locally produced sustainable gasoline at their stations once we start production 🙌
Invited to White Rose Ventures Annual Meeting
This year, we had the privilege of attending the White Rose Ventures annual meeting, a landmark event for the PA entrepreneurship community.
It was an opportunity to reconnect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in Pennsylvania. The event's highlight was undoubtedly the inspirational talks emphasizing that Pennsylvania has all the right ingredients to become a powerhouse of innovation and technology.
At Woodland Biomass Innovations, we are proud to be aligned with a PA-first group like White Rose Ventures, which is committed to nurturing local talent and innovation.
#PATimberShow
We had a fantastic time at the #PATimberShow. We had the chance to connect with many forestry friends from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Hardwood Utilization Groups, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Keystone Wood Products Association, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, and some others.
Also, team members from Metzler Forest Products, leading biochar initiative, gave Luca a biochar sample to use during presentations. So exciting!
Harrisburg Launchbox powered by Penn State Small Business Summit
Luca Pandolfi, our founder, joined a dynamic panel of entrepreneurs to share how we’ve scaled Woodland BIO from a bold idea—creating gasoline from local woody biomass—into a startup helping shape the future of sustainable energy right here in Pennsylvania. Also, showing our journey in turning forestry residuals into sustainable gasoline, building local supply chains, and supporting circular economies that keep jobs—and dollars—right here in our community.
An event full of inspiring stories and thoughtful questions!
Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) 🧪
We attended the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference hosted by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. This event brought together global leaders in green chemistry, leading to a gathering for scientists, innovators, and advocates.
Our team shared how Woodland BIO’s biomass-to-gasoline process is building a cleaner future by turning low-grade woody biomass into sustainable, drop-in transportation fuels and biochar—supporting both local communities and forest health. And it’s proud for the chance to stand alongside so many driven startups, companies, and researchers, all working to create real-world change.
New Team Photos!!!
“I am grateful every single day to have this “family” behind me as we build Woodland BIO into what it has the potential to be—a company that can change the way we think about energy, sustainability, and local economies.” - Luca Pandolfi, founder of Woodland BIO
“Run your car on Wood!” Webinar
In September, our Founder Luca Pandolfi, joined the The Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute, which hosted a webinar in the Wood Residuals Innovations Series to explore and learn about Woodland Biomass Innovations’ pilot plant designed to convert wood chips into a drop-in replacement for gasoline.
Woodland BIO took first place in the Energy Track at this year’s Backyard Brawl Pitch Competition
Woodland BIO won first place in the Evolving Energy track at the 2025 Backyard Brawl: Innovation Edition, earning $55,000 in technical assistance funding to advance its biomass-to-gasoline technology. Hosted by West Virginia University and co-organized with the University of Pittsburgh, the competition highlighted leading startups across energy and technology sectors.
The funding will support professional grant writing efforts to help secure additional capital for Woodland BIO’s biomass-to-gasoline facility in Tioga County, PA, where Phase 2 engineering is nearing completion.
New Marketing Intern
We welcomed Maria Sandoval as our new Marketing Intern. She has supported campaign planning, content creation, and performance insights as we continue advancing our mission.
Woodland BIO Sticker Competition🏆
In November, we invited creators of all ages and experience levels to design Woodland BIO-inspired stickers celebrating themes related to the circular economy and community growth. Our team selected the winners and is excited to share them at upcoming events like the 2026 PA Farm Show.
