As Europe increases its use of wood pellets to supplement coal as an energy source, U.S. wood pellet producers are exporting more pellets across “the pond.” From 2012 to 2013, wood pellet exports from the U.S. nearly doubled, with more than 98% of all exports shipping to Europe, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In 2013, the U.S. was the world’s top wood pellet-producing country (5.7 million metric tons), followed by Germany (2.2 million metric tons) and Canada (1.8 million metric tons), according to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization. When it came to exporting wood pellets, the U.S. and Canada topped the list.
Europe’s increasing demand for wood pellets has been driven mainly by requirements of the European Union’s climate and energy use goals for 2020. In response, new pellet processing plants are appearing in the U.S., especially in southeast and mid-Atlantic states accessible to wood harvesting areas and shipping ports. Some of these new plants can produce 500,000 metric tons of wood pellets per year. [Read more…] about Europe’s Use of Wood Pellets for Energy is Fueling U.S. Opportunity