DOCSLIB.ORG

Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade Study 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade Study 2017 Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade Study 2017 source: DBFZ IEA Bioenergy: Task 40: June 2017 Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade Study 2017 Lead authors Daniela Thrän, David Peetz, Kay Schaubach Contributing authors Sofia Backéus Patrick Lamers Luca Benedetti Thuy Mai-Moulin Lena Bruce Gordon Murray Suani Teixeira Coelho Olle Olsson Laura Craggs Alessandro Pellini Rocio Diaz-Chavez Svetlana Proskurina Javier Farago Escobar Fabian Schipfer Jose Goldemberg Peter-Paul Schouwenberg Ruben Guisson Wolfgang Stelte Morten Tony Hansen Ute Thiermann Jussi Heinimö Erik Trømborg Bo Hektor Lotte Visser J. Richard Hess Michael Wild Martin Junginger All materials and content contained in this publication are the intellectual property of IEA Bioenergy Task 40 and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed beyond personal, educational, and research purposes without IEA Bioenergy Task 40's express written permission. Citation of this publication must appear in all copies or derivative works. In no event shall anyone commercialize contents or information from this publication without prior written consent from IEA Bioenergy Task 40. Please cite as: Thrän et al. 2017. Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade Study 2017. IEA Bioenergy Task 40. June 2017. IEA Bioenergy, also known as the Implementing Agreement for a Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Bioenergy, functions within a Framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Views, findings and publications of IEA Bioenergy do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of its individual Member countries. II Copyright © 2017 IEA Bioenergy. All rights Reserved ISBN 978-1-910154-32-8 Published by IEA Bioenergy Acknowledgements: Alongside the main authors, we would like to thank the many helping hands and brains who have made this report possible: Christiane Hennig, Julia Klima, Martin Rojas Arboleda, Janet Witt, Kathrin Bienert (DBFZ) and Frazer Musonda (UFZ) IEA Bioenergy, also known as the Implementing Agreement for a Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Bioenergy, functions within a Framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Views, findings and publications of IEA Bioenergy do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of its individual Member countries. III Table of Contents Executive summary .................................................................................................... 6 1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 14 2 Background: Development of the global wood pellet market .......................... 16 2.1 Wood pellets use in the electricity and heating sector .................................................................. 16 2.2 Wood pellet quality standards .................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Pellet provision costs – cost components and typical numbers ...................................................... 20 3 Wood pellet industry and market in Europe .................................................... 27 3.1 Austria ................................................................................................................................. 27 3.2 Baltic States .......................................................................................................................... 33 3.3 Belgium/Flanders ................................................................................................................... 41 3.4 Bulgaria ................................................................................................................................ 44 3.5 Czech Republic ...................................................................................................................... 48 3.6 Denmark .............................................................................................................................. 52 3.7 Finland ................................................................................................................................. 58 3.8 France .................................................................................................................................. 67 3.9 Germany .............................................................................................................................. 74 3.10 Hungary ............................................................................................................................... 81 3.11 Italy ..................................................................................................................................... 85 3.12 The Netherlands .................................................................................................................... 96 3.13 Norway ................................................................................................................................. 99 3.14 Poland ................................................................................................................................ 104 3.15 Portugal .............................................................................................................................. 110 3.16 Romania ............................................................................................................................. 114 3.17 Russian Federation ............................................................................................................... 119 3.18 Slovakia ............................................................................................................................. 125 3.19 Spain ................................................................................................................................. 128 3.20 Sweden .............................................................................................................................. 132 3.21 Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 138 3.22 Ukraine .............................................................................................................................. 144 3.23 United Kingdom ................................................................................................................... 150 4 Wood pellet industry and market in North America ...................................... 157 4.1 Canada ............................................................................................................................... 157 4.2 United States ...................................................................................................................... 164 5 Wood pellet industry and market in Asia, Australia and Latin America ........................................................................................................ 182 5.1 Australia and New Zealand .................................................................................................... 182 5.2 China ................................................................................................................................. 183 5.3 Japan ................................................................................................................................. 184 5.4 Malaysia, Indonesia .............................................................................................................. 188 IV 5.5 South Korea ........................................................................................................................ 189 5.6 Vietnam .............................................................................................................................. 192 5.7 Latin America - an overview .................................................................................................. 193 5.8 Brazil ................................................................................................................................. 194 5.9 Other Latin-American countries .............................................................................................. 202 6 Challenges for a sustainable wood pellet trade ............................................. 205 6.1 Ensuring sustainability along the value chain ............................................................................ 205 6.2 Transforming wood pellets into a global commodity ................................................................... 209 6.3 Torrefaction and international trade ........................................................................................ 213 7 Conclusions and Outlook ............................................................................... 221 7.1 Development of pellet production, trade and consumption .......................................................... 221 7.2 Expected pellet production, trade and consumption ................................................................... 224 7.3 Development of pellet prices .................................................................................................. 227 7.4 Expected pellet prices ........................................................................................................... 231 7.5 Dynamics in frameworks ....................................................................................................... 232 List of Figures
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Magnum Countryside® Owner's Manual
    MAGNUM COUNTRYSIDE® BIOMASS CORN/WOOD PELLET STOVE /FIREPLACE INSERT Safety tested and EPA exemption tested by Omni-Test Laboratories, Inc to UL 1482, CAN/ULC-S627, ULC-S628, APFI requirements, Oregon administrative rules 814-23-900 to 814-23-909 and E.P.A. Method 28A. OWNER’S MANUAL Installation – Operation – Maintenance Instructions NOTE: These instructions must be saved PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE INSTALLATION AND USE OF THIS BIOMASS CORN/ WOOD PELLET BURNING STOVE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. IMPORTANT: Always contact your local dealer/installer with questions before contacting the factory. When you call have your serial number, purchase date, who installed the unit and a list of questions. This appliance must be installed by a qualified/trained factory approved installer to assure proper operation/warranty. 9 When installing your Countryside Biomass Corn/Pellet stove, particular attention needs to be made in regards to fire protection. If the unit is not properly installed, a house fire may result. For your safety, follow the installation and operation instructions provided, and if a question arises contact local building or fire officials about restrictions and installation requirements in your area. 9 Read the operations and fuel section of this manual before plugging in your unit. 9 Always unplug the unit before attempting any service work. 9 Do not connect the unit to a chimney flue already serving another appliance. 9 When installing the chimney pipe to the unit, it is important to remember that the unit operates on a negative pressure and the chimney on a positive pressure.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural-Gas Trade Between Russia, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine
    Asian Cultures and Modernity Research Reports Editorial Board Birgit N. Schlyter (Editor-in-chief) Merrick Tabor (Associate editor) Mirja Juntunen (Associate editor) Johan Fresk (Assistant) International Advisory Board Prof. Ishtiaq Ahmed (Stockholm University, Sweden) Dr. Bayram Balcı (Inst. français d’étude sur l’Asie centrale, Uzbekistan) Dr. Ooi Kee Beng (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore) Datuk Prof. Dr. Shamsul A.B. (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) The Asian Cultures and Modernity Research Group A plethora of state- and nation-building programmes are being developed in present- day Asia, where governments have to consider the regionality of old ethno-cultural identities. While the cohesive power of traditions must be put into use within a particular nation, that same power challenges its national boundaries. To soften this contradiction, economic and/or political regionalism, in contrast to isolationism and globalism, becomes a solution, suggesting new and exciting routes to modernity. In studies conducted by the Asian Cultures and Modernity Research Group at Stockholm University, sociolinguistic and culture-relativistic perspectives are applied with the support of epistemological considerations from the field of political science. Department of Oriental Languages Stockholm University SE-106 91 Stockholm E-mail: [email protected] ISSN 1651-0666 ISBN 978-91-976907-2-0 Asian Cultures and Modernity Research Report No. 15 Natural-Gas Trade between Russia, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine Agreements and Disputes by Michael Fredholm Department of South and Central Asian Studies Stockholm University Editorial Note The author has written extensively on the history, defence and security policies, and energy sector developments of Eurasia. He also heads the business research company Team Ippeki.
    [Show full text]
  • Developing a Wood Pellet/ Densified Biomass Industry in Washington State: Opportunities and Challenges
    Developing a Wood Pellet/ Densified Biomass Industry in Washington State: Opportunities and Challenges A Report to the Washington State Legislature December 2012 Page 1 Densified biomass: Part of Washington’s energy solution The Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program was directed by the Washington State Legislature [3ESHB-2127, section 603 (8)] to conduct a study of densified biomass as a renew- able fuel for heating homes, businesses and other facilities in our state. This report to Governor Chris Gregoire and the Legislature presents a summary of the WSU Energy Program’s densified biomass study findings. What is densified biomass? Washington’s pellet mill industry has shrunk by Raw biomass materials, such as forest slash and one-third in recent years, primarily due to the construction waste, are irregular in shape, low facilities’ debt loads. in energy density, greatly affected by moisture, • In 2009, three mills – located in Omak, and can be difficult to transport. Shelton and Tacoma – had a combined capacity of 180,000 tons per year. Another Biomass densification solves these problems by mill in Skagit County was in the permitting compressing sawdust and chipped wood to process, but never opened. create solid biofuel pellets that provide consis- • By 2012, the state had only two operating tent quality, low moisture content, high energy mills – Olympus Pellets in Shelton and density and homogenous size and shape. Manke in Tacoma – with a combined Densification increases the energy density of capacity of 160,000 tons per year. biomass by approximately 10 to 15 percent, so more heat is produced per unit of pellets This report provides insights to reinvigorate burned than if the same amount of raw wood the densified biomass/wood pellet industry in was burned.
    [Show full text]
  • Naftogaz of Ukraine 2014 Annual Report
    NAFTOGAZ OF UKRAINE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT New Ukraine Europe New rules Market Transparency Naftogaz Reform Europe New Ukraine Europe New rules Naftogaz Market Europe New UkraineNew Transparency Reform Ukraine Naftogaz New rules Europe Naftogaz New Ukraine Market Naftogaz Europe New Ukraine Reform Transparency Naftogaz EuropeReform Europe Naftogaz New Ukraine New rules Transparency New rules Transparency New rules Europe Transparency New Ukraine Naftogaz New rules Europe Market Reform Reform Naftogaz Market Reform TransparencyNew rules Reform Europe New rules Market Reform Transparency New Ukraine Transparency Transparency Naftogaz New Ukraine Naftogaz New rules Reform NaftogazTransparency Market New rules Reform Europe Reform Naftogaz New rules Europe Naftogaz New Ukraine Transparency Market Transparency New rules Naftogaz Transparency Reform Europe New rules Market New Ukraine New Ukraine Transparency New rules New rules Market Market New Ukraine Europe Transparency Reform Europe New Ukraine New Ukraine Naftogaz Transparency New rules Reform New rules Naftogaz New rules New Ukraine Reform Market Europe New rules ReformNaftogaz Transparency Europe Reform Naftogaz Transparency Reform MarketNaftogaz Reform Naftogaz New rules Naftogaz New Ukraine Market Market Naftogaz Transparency Transparency Reform Europe Transparency New rules New rules New rules Reform New Ukraine Market Transparency New rules Naftogaz Market Europe Changing for the future Ukraine’s gas transmission Entry capacity: EUROPE’S LARGEST GAS MARKETS, 2014, bcm NAFTOGAZ AT A
    [Show full text]
  • Specific Chimney Emissions and Biofuel Characteristics of Softwood Pellets for Residential Heating in Sweden
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Chalmers Publication Library WOOD COMBUSTION STOVE BURNER SMOKE PHENOLS BENZENE PAH ANALYSIS GC - MS Open access revised manuscript version of Biomass and bioenergy 24 (2003) 51-57 Link to publisher: doi:10.1016/S0961-9534(02)00083-1 Specific chimney emissions and biofuel characteristics of softwood pellets for residential heating in Sweden Maria Olsson, Jennica Kjällstrand and Göran Petersson Related articles on burning of wood pellets emphasize phenolic compounds and volatile hydrocarbons Front page 2010 - Göran Petersson Specific chimney emissions and biofuel characteristics of softwood pellets for residential heating in Sweden Maria Olsson, Jennica Kjallstrand, Goran Petersson* Department of Chemical Environmental Science, Chalmers University of Technology, SE - 412 96 Goteborg, Sweden Abstract Softwood pellets are mainly produced from sawdust and to some extent from wood shavings. The moisture content is typically less than half of that in firewood. The present annual residential use in Sweden for pellet burners in boilers and for pellet stoves amounts to more than 100 000 tonnes and is increasing rapidly. The total annual production capacity at the more than 20 units exceeds one million tonnes, and permits continued rapid replacement of firewood and petroleum oil for residential heating. With the purpose of characterising emissions to air, chimney smoke was sampled, and specific compounds were assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Benzene was the predominant aromatic compound in emissions from pellet burners. The smoke from stoves contained methoxyphenols with antioxidant properties and lower proportions of aromatic hydrocarbons. Observed differences in emissions from specific burning appliances are of interest with regard to both health hazards and regulation of emissions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential Air Quality Impacts from Biomass Combustion
    AIR QUALITY EXPERT GROUP The Potential Air Quality Impacts from Biomass Combustion Prepared for: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Scottish Government; Welsh Government; and Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland AIR QUALITY EXPERT GROUP The Potential Air Quality Impacts from Biomass Combustion Prepared for: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Scottish Government; Welsh Government; and Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland This is a report from the Air Quality Expert Group to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Scottish Government; Welsh Government; and Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, on the potential air quality impacts from biomass combustion. The information contained within this report represents a review of the understanding and evidence available at the time of writing. © Crown copyright 2017 Front cover image credit: left – Jamie Hamel-Smith, middle – Katie Chase, right – Tom Rickhuss on Stocksnap.io. Used under Creative Commons. United Kingdom air quality information received from the automatic monitoring sites and forecasts may be accessed via the following media: Freephone Air Pollution Information 0800 556677 Service Internet http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk PB14465 Terms of reference The Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) is an expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and considers current knowledge on air pollution and provides advice on such things as the levels, sources and characteristics of air pollutants in the UK. AQEG reports to Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra Ministers, Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Government and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland (the Government and devolved administrations).
    [Show full text]
  • Simulating Pelletization Strategies to Reduce the Biomass Supply Risk at America’S Biorefineries
    Simulating Pelletization Strategies to Reduce the Biomass Supply Risk at America’s Biorefineries Shane Carnohan, WSU Jacob J. Jacobson, INL Andrew Ford, WSU Allyson Beall, WSU Environmental Science Graduate Program, Washington State University Pullman, Washington 99164-4430 U.S.A. Phone: +1(509) 330-6486 Email: [email protected] May 28, 2014 Abstract Demand for cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels has been on the rise, due in part to federal targets enacted in 2005 and extended in 2007. The industry faces major challenges in meeting these worthwhile and ambitious targets. The challenges are especially severe in the logistics of timely feedstock delivery to biorefineries. Logistical difficulties arise from seasonal production that forces the biomass to be stored in uncontrolled field-side environments. In this storage format physical difficulties arise; transportation is hindered by the low bulk density of baled biomass and the unprotected material can decay leading to unpredictable losses. Additionally, uncertain yields and contractual difficulties can exacerbate these challenges making biorefineries a high-risk venture. Investors’ risk could limit business entry and prevent America from reaching the targets. This paper explores pelletizer strategies to convert the lignocellulosic biomass into a denser form more suitable for storage. The densification of biomass would reduce supply risks, and the new system would outperform conventional biorefinery supply systems. Pelletizer strategies exhibit somewhat higher costs, but the reduction in risk is well worth the extra cost if America is to grow the advanced biofuels industry in a sustainable manner. 1. INTRODUCTION Organization of the Paper The paper begins by introducing federal biofuel policy targets initiated with the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 and adjusted in 2007 with the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA).
    [Show full text]
  • Biomass Boilers for Space Heating
    Energy Efficient Wood Heating Appliances for Home and Business Scott Sanford Sr. Outreach Specialist Rural Energy Program 1 Disclaimer • Products mentioned in this presentation do not reflect an endorsement of that product. • Likewise, a lack of acknowledge does not imply that a product is not recommended. • Photo Credit: Scott Sanford unless noted otherwise 2 Outline • What make an efficient appliance? • Types of wood fuels • Types of Wood Burning Appliances • Heat distribution • Smoke Emissions • Firebox Management • Case Study of two greenhouses 3 Biomass Fuels Credit: Ohio State University • A fuel derived from plant material • Wood (cord, chips, pellets) • Grains (corn, rye, wheat,…) • Cherry pits, sunflower hulls Credit: NREL • Prairie grass (switchgrass, miscanthus) • Crop fodder (corn stalks) • Straw (wheat, oat, barley) • Oils 4 Credit: NREL Credit: University of Illinois Types of Wood Fuels • Cord wood • Green mill residue • Hogged bark & sawdust • High moisture (>20%) • Store outside in piles • Dry mill residue • Low moisture (< 10%) • Sawdust, trimmings, wood from wood products companies • Wood Chips • Whole tree chips, round wood chips, clean chips • Typically high moisture (~50%) • Energy content varies with H20, density and ash 5 Direct Use - Wood • Cord wood / logs • Unit of measure – Cord • 4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft stack of wood – 128 cu ft • Moisture – 50% as harvested • Air Dried - ~ 20% (1 – 2 years) • Energy content – varies with tree species • Average – 22,300,000 Btu / cord @ 20% moisture • Range – 14,700,000 to 30,700,000 Btu / cord • Different species vary in density (lbs / cord) • Basswood – 2100 lb / cord; Hickory 4160 lb / cord • All wood about 7000 Btu / lb.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 19: Pelleting DDGS Diets for Poultry
    CHAPTER 19 Pelleting DDGS Diets for Poultry Introduction production rates and pellet durability index (PDI) compared with dry-conditioning (Skoch et al., 1981). After steam is ALTHOUGH DDGS IS AN ECONOMICAL ENERGY AND DIGESTIBLE applied to the mash inside the conditioner, the moist, hot NUTRIENT SOURCE in poultry diets, diet inclusion rates are mash ows into the pelleting chamber where it passes often limited to less than 10 percent of the diet because of through a metal die to form pellets. As the pellets exit the concerns of achieving desired pellet quality and pellet mill die, they enter a cooler to reduce their temperature from 80 throughput. As a result, the ability of feed manufacturers to 90°C down to 8°C above ambient temperature (Zimonja and poultry producers to capture greater economic value et al., 2007), along with reducing moisture from 15 to 17 from using higher dietary inclusion rates is diminished percent down to 10 to 12 percent using a stream of ambient because of the diet inclusion constraints imposed on DDGS air (Robinson, 1976). Fines collected in the cooler are to meet desired pellet quality and production efciencies in returned to the pellet chamber to be subsequently reformed commercial feed mills. into pellets. For some poultry feeding applications, the cool dry pellets pass through a crumbler to form crumbles Pelleting is the most common thermal processing method (broken pellets). used in manufacturing poultry feeds (Abdollahi et al., 2013), and provides the advantage of improved feed conversion resulting from reduced feed wastage and improved Factors Affecting Pellet Durability, Energy digestibility of energy and nutrients which has partially been Consumption and Production Rate attributed to the partial gelatinization of starch (Richert and DeRouchey, 2010; NRC, 2012).
    [Show full text]
  • Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation P.O
    Revised CTUIR RENEWABLE ENERGY FEASIBILITY STUDY FINAL REPORT June 20, 2005 Rev.October 31, 2005 United States Government Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory DE-FC36-02GO-12106 Compiled under the direction of: Stuart G. Harris, Director Department of Science & Engineering Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation P.O. Box 638 Pendleton, Oregon 97801 2 Table of Contents Page No. I. Acknowledgement 5 II. Summary 6 III. Introduction 12 III-1. CTUIR Energy Uses and Needs 14 III-1-1. Residential Population – UIR 14 III-1-2. Residential Energy Use – UIR 14 III-1-3. Commercial and Industrial Energy Use – UIR 15 III-1-4. Comparison of Energy Cost on UIR with National Average 16 III-1-5. Petroleum and Transportation Energy Usage 16 III-1-6. Electrical Power Needs – UIR 17 III-1-7. State of Oregon Energy Consumption Statistics 17 III-1-8 National Energy Outlook 17 III-2. Energy Infrastructure on Umatilla Indian Reservation 19 III-2-1. Electrical 20 III-2-2. Natural Gas 21 III-2-3. Biomass Fuels 21 III-2-4. Transportation Fuels 21 III-2-5. Other Energy Sources 21 III-3. Renewable Energy Economics 21 III-3-1. Financial Figures of Merit 21 III-3-2. Financial Structures 22 III-3-3. Calculating Levelized Cost of Energy (COE) 23 III-3-4. Financial Model and Results 25 IV. Renewable Energy Resources, Technologies and Economics – In-and-Near the UIR 27 IV-1 Biomass Resources 27 IV-1-1. Resource Availability 27 IV-1-1-1. Forest Residues 27 IV-1-1-2.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Pelleting
    History of pelleting BY DOM CASTALDO REVIEWED AND EDITED BY CHARLES STARK, CASSANDRA JONES, AND ADAM FAHRENHOLZ extrusion process greatly enhanced feed In the past 50 years, considerable changes have digestibility and improved handling, extruders were occurred in the structure of animal agriculture. No expensive and complicated to operate with early longer are agricultural animals produced to any 20th century technology. scale in “back yard” type production settings. Rather, animal production has evolved into a highly According to Pitsch, one of the first successful integrated volume-based business. This is pellet mills was a molding machine in which two particularly true for the swine and poultry industries counter-rotating rollers with pockets, formed and where essentially every phase of production is pressed mash into wafers (see Figure 1-1). The owned and/or controlled by a single entity. wafers had a much lower density than modern feed pellets, which provided no advantage to feed With the wholesale consolidation of the meat, milk, transportation. Also, the mash was not conditioned and egg production industries, feed manufacturing with heat and moisture; therefore, the “wafering” has become more industrialized. Though today, process did not greatly enhance nutrient utilization. there are fewer feed mills in operation, feed production has increased and continues to grow. Figure 1-1. Diagram of a mold type pellet mill. This general shift from on-farm or small- cooperative type feed processing operations to larger industrial-type feed manufacturing facilities has made processing technologies, such as pelleting, more economically feasible. As such, the pelleting process has become a standard feed processing technique.
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Affecting Pellet Quality
    Factors affecting pellet quality BY KEITH C. BEHNKE, PHD REVIEWED AND EDITED BY ADAM FAHRENHOLZ, CHARLES STARK, AND CASSANDRA JONES assembly, and reviewing those figures will help the elleting has been, and continues to be, a popular P reader further understand the following discussions. processing technique in feed manufacturing. In basic terms, pelleting converts a finely-ground Depending upon the physical characteristics of blend of ingredients into dense, free-flowing the feed, a lesser or greater proportion of the work agglomerates (pellets). There are many reasons done by the pellet mill is used for compression. used to justify the process, but it may be appropriate For example, if the feed mix contains a high level to list just a few: of fibrous ingredients such as bagasse, bran or • Improved animal performance; ground alfalfa, the mill will expend a large • Decreased feed wastage; amount of energy simply compressing the mash to • Reduced selective feeding; the density of the subsequent pellet. Conversely, • Improved bulk density; for a relatively dense feed such as high grain and • Better material handling characteristics; soy meal, the mill will expend a lesser amount of • Destruction of deleterious organisms; and energy for compression and a greater amount for • Customer expectations. throughput. Pelleting operations are not without cost. It is a The “extrusion area” is the point at which the mash fairly expensive process in terms of both capital and has reached pellet density and begins to flow variable costs, but the expense is usually justified in through the die holes. There are many physical improved plant profit as well as animal forces that must be dealt with in the pelleting performance.
    [Show full text]