Title:
IEA Bioenergy Task 40 - Global Wood Pellets and Woodchips Market and Ttrade Study: Preliminary Results
Author(s):
Cocchi, M., Marchal, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This paper presents the first preliminary results of a study conducted by IEA Bioenergy Task 40 “Sustainable Bioenergy Trade” and still ongoing about the trends in the global wood pellet market as well as the status and prospects for woodchip trade for energy purposes. The wood pellet market has experienced a large growth in the last five years. in 2009 the estimated consumption was above 12 million tons. The European Union is still the main market for pellet consumption (10.4 million tons in 2009) and will remain such for the next several years. Sawdust is still the main raw material for the production of wood pellets, however the interest of producers in the supply of alternative feedstock such as round-wood and forest residues is growing. The rapid growth of the market is driven by different factors related to the different market segments, however they are still quite dependent on the availability of direct or indirect support measures. the rise of the demand in EU is stimulating large investments in new pellet plants and a rapidly increasing production capacity in countries such as Canada, U.S. and the Russian Federation. Although wood chips are traditionally traded locally on small distances, international trade flows are also becoming significant. i.e. in the Baltic sea area and in Southern Europe, but little is known on trade routes, prices and market drivers. In 2009, the wood chips and particles world production was evaluated at about 216 million m3 (Faostat). America is by far the greatest producer (46% of the world production), followed by Europe (27%), Asia (12%), Oceania (9%) and Africa (6%).
Keywords:
forest residues, round wood, sawdust, trade, wood pellet, wood chips
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
International trade of biofuels, biogas and solid biomass
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OD3.5
Pages:
2460 - 2464
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OD3.5
Price:
FREE
