Agripellets in Europe

The booming succes of agripellets in European Countries such as Austria, Denmark and Sweden, has yet to be replicated elsewhere. In Southern Europe countries, the lack of available wood waste means that agripellets from agricultural residues ("agri-pellets") are the most promising solution. With raw materials that costs a fraction of raw materials for wood pellets, and an availability around ten times greater, the potenial of this market is greate.

As agripellets may cause several harmful emissions and problems in the equipment (like reduction of effeciancy and corrosion), as well as production of high amounts of ash , they are suited for utilisation in large burners (from > 200 kW). In those conditions, the investments for protection of the burner and the athmospher are bette justified. A recommendation is therefore to reserve the agripellet for larger users, including power plants. The more expensive wood pellets can then be applied for the domestic users.

Examples of agripellets

As part of the project "Pellets for Europe", a market assessment was performed to investigate the current European agripellet market and the theoretical potential of using agricultural residues for energy purpose. The analyses cover most European countries, but with more detailed studies of Italy, Spain and Greece.

Straw dye

Moreover, following the other work performed a detailed analyses of the critical factors for introducing agripellets to the market were performed. The analyses were performed in detail for the markets Italy, Spain and Greece as well as a more general analyse of technical obsticles which has to be overcomed. Furthermore also a report on the experience from the Northern Europe regarding the introduction of pellets for heat applications to the market has been performed.