2017 International Forest Industries Magazines IFI Aug Sept 2017 v2 | Page 15

LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS Report provides updated EU pellet data A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network notes wood pellet production in the European Union reached approximately 14.8 million metric tons in 2016, accounting for about half of global production reports Biomass Magazine. Although the EU is the world’s biggest pellet producer, the report indicates that most of the region’s pellet plants are small or medium sized. In addition, most of the main pellet producing countries within the EU have large domestic markets for residential heating pellets. Exceptions include Latvia, Estonia and Portugal, with produce pellets primarily for export for use in power plants. Germany is the third largest pellet producer in the world, after the U.S. and Canada. The country currently has approximately 70 pellet plants with a combined capacity of 3.5 million metric tons per year. Most of the wood pellets produced in Germany are used for heating. Following Germany, the EU’s top pellet producers include Latvia, Sweden, Austria and France. While the EU produces approximately half of the world’s wood pellets, it represents about 75 percent of the market. According to the report, the EU consumed approximately 22.2 million metric tons of wood pellets last year, with 65 percent of that volume used for heating and 35 percent for power. The U.K., Italy, Denmark, Germany and Sweden are the top consumers of pellets in the EU. The report notes Italy is expected to be the largest European market for residential pellet use, with consumption expected to reach 5 million metric tons per year by 2020. Only 15 percent of demand, however, is met by domestic production. The balance is met by increasing imports. Italy currently sources pellets primarily from Austria, Croatia and Germany. Multi-Talent BA 725 D Extremely versatile thanks to Twin Gear October 17-19, 2018 Portland, Oregon JENZ GmbH Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau Wegholmer Str. 14 ∙ 32469 Petershagen ∙ Germany +49 5704 / 94090 ∙ [email protected] ∙ www.jenz.de International Forest Industries | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 13