Development of R&D services in the biomass fuel-pellet sector

Central Finland is home to a multi-faceted pellet-related business sector but local pellet research has been primarily of a short-term subscribed nature. This has meant that long-term planning and pellet research collaboration has remained at a modest level. A study was conducted in which the level and needs of research and development (R&D) services were evaluated and an assessment was made for expected research needs in coming years. The scope of the evaluation included: basic international research regarding pelletisation of raw materials, a mapping of prominent research partners, facilities and apparatus, and current and past supporting research from local institutions.
From the findings, a development agenda for local pellet research has been drawn up and areas of research in which investment should be made are identified. This paper describes important aspects of the study and summarises the findings. The following areas of basic pellet research are proposed:
pelletisation (fundamental processing phenomena), new upgrading technologies for biomass raw materials (torrefaction), diversification of pellet raw material types and biomass storage issues. The main objective of the study is the forming of competitive pellet research clusters in Central Finland among relevant companies and research organisations