Briquetting of sawmill residues at Sao Hill The construction of a briquetting plant in order to converse sawdust into 10,000 to 15,000 tons of briquettes annually. Applicant Green Resources (GRAS) from Norway is an international company specialised in the establishment and management of forest plantations in Africa, carbon offset projects and the production and marketing of forests and renewable energy products. Local partner Sao Hill Industries (SHI) is a daughter company of GRAS. SHI runs GRAS' industrial operation in Tanzania and operates East Africa's largest sawmill and the largest electricity pole plant in the region.In their operations a large quantity (5 ha) of residues (mainly sawdust) is not marketable and normally is burnt once a year. The project wants to dry and compact this waste product and convert it into marketable high quality bio-energy fuel for regional markets (mainly high energy consumers). The project wants to construct a briquetting line. At first instance they will use their own sawdust, and eventually will expand to residues from other smaller sawmills.Apart from the high energy users, the project will develop an implementing strategy to reach local households in order to improve their fuel quality and cooking circumstances.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The applicant, local partner and the new activity will as soon as possible (when FSC-forest has become productive) be executed under FSC-rules. The source of sawdust of other sawmills most probably will not be of FSC-origin.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsPayment is 10% above minimum wage. In the results, therefore, a proof should be included of the actual minimum wage to be able to check this. Other fringe benefits are: Health insurance, one meal a day and transport to work location. Employees are also provided with housing or a housing allowance.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe production of briquettes on a commercial scale is new for Tanzania and will therefore also create a new market. Other companies can profit because they have a cheaper, easier and more environmentally sustainable supply of fuel.•	Chain effectsImpact on local suppliersThe project claims an impact at a later stage on local saw mills as they can solve their sawdust problem as well.Impact on local customers or consumersNo other impact as mentioned above.•	EnvironmentA better use of wood residues diminishes the need for firewood. This is an indirect effect on the environment.The Embassy mentions a risk for the local environment as smoke from cooking (charcoal) is one of the greater causes of death.If using good quality charcoal this risk in fact is less because the volatiles are already removed during carbonisation. The greatest cause is the use of fresh cut firewood itself, especially if it is burned not completely. GRAS is going to develop a total package. Not only briquettes, but also a rocket stove with a chimney. This will result in a much cleaner local air quality.Second environmental item is the prevention of the burning of large quantities of sawdust and associated air-pollution.•	Position of womenGRAS claims to have a strong policy on women. Their national manager in Tanzania is female. In their impact overview from 25 new employees only 3 are intended to be women. Most labour is heavy and in their eyes therefore not suitable for women.There is an impact on the health of women as local consumer of the total package as described above. The construction of a briquetting plant in order to converse sawdust into 10,000 to 15,000 tons of briquettes annually.