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PHYTOCHARTER

PHYTOCHARTER

Meeting the Phytosanitary Requirements for Importing Wood Fiber into Europe



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Our History

Over the past decade, we’ve invested over $3 million to develop Phytocharter, the world’s first shipboard phytosanitation system for bulk shipments.



This pioneering work was led by our founder, Stephean Chute, alongside a team of experts including M. Clayton Wheeler, PhD(Director, FBRI – Forest Bioproducts, ME) and Christopher Brawn, Licensed Marine Engineer – Combustion.



Key milestones:

  • 2020– Awarded U.S. Patent (No. 10,661,471 B2)

  • 2022– USDA-certified phytosanitation protocol using our Shipboard Heat Treatment system

  • 2023– First successful pilot shipment to France using our v1 system

Today, Phytocharter remains the only approved method for phytosanitation of U.S. bulk exports to the EU enabling lower cost Fiber in the U.S. to compete in the EU.



Our Process

1. Wood Chip Procurement
We source high-quality wood chips from Eastern Maine (USA) and Southwestern New Brunswick (CA). Our chips are produced from mixed conifer bolewood, ensuring a uniform, clean, and EU-compliant material.
2. Recieving and Bulk-Loading Operations
At the Port of Eastport, USA – the deepest draft terminal in North America – we handle shipments of up to 60,000 tons. Our system loads vessels at 1,000 tons per hour, preparing cargo for international delivery.
3. Heat Treatment (Shipboard Phytosanitary Control)
Using our patented Shipboard Heat Treating System, we sanitize cargo directly in the vessel’s holds by raising the chip temperature above 56°C for 30 minutes through a precise balance of heat and moisture. Controlled airflow distributes the treatment evenly across the entire load, while continuous monitoring ensures accuracy, efficiency, and full USDA approval.
4. Certification
The USDA (APHIS/PPQ) monitors every step of the process, verifies data in real time, and issues phytosanitary certification. This guarantees compliance with EU Plant Health Directive 2000/29/EC
5. Shipping
With certification in place, we ship treated wood chips to ports worldwide, serving the biomass energy, MDF panel board, and pulp & paper industries.

For more Information contact:

Stephean Chute, Managing Director

PHYTOCHARTER

PHYTOCHARTER

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