Title:
Supply-Side Perspectives on the Euro-American Pellet Trade
Author(s):
Hubbard, W., Geller, D.P.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
The United States is the source of over 4.7 million metric tons/year of wood pellets, which feed into European and other international energy markets [1]. Most these pellets come from the Southern U.S. This area of the world is home to a unique forestry community, which has diverse ownership and management goals. To fully understand the supply-side of this market it is necessary to examine this forestry system and the motivation of the landowners in this region. The wood supply in this region operates on open market principals which leads to volatile pricing for pellet feedstocks. Additionally, the relationship between United States feedstock suppliers, U.S. pellet manufacturers and European end-users has been complicated due to unstable regulations in the EU which have negatively affected markets by adding uncertainty to the future of this low-margin industry. This paper will provide a discussion of the social, economic and environmental pressures facing pellet manufacturers and feedstock providers in the Southern United States and will provide a context for the risk and uncertainty in this emerging industry.
Keywords:
biomass, pellet, sustainability, supply chain, biopower
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Market implementation, investments & financing
Event:
25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4BO.9.5
Pages:
1449 - 1452
ISBN:
978-88-89407-17-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/25thEUBCE2017-4BO.9.5
Price:
FREE
