Turning Pallet Factory Residues into Fuel Pellets

With the booming use of mechanical handling equipment, the pallet industry has flourished. This equipment, including lift trucks, racks, conveyors, slings, booms, and stackers, efficiently handles unitized loads of industrial and agricultural products. Pallets serve as a crucial base for assembling these loads.

Pallets are typically made from lower-grade hardwood or softwood lumber, with some even incorporating sound but below-grade material. During the production process, a significant amount of residue is generated, often referred to as fuel residue. This residue has great potential as it can be transformed into fuel pellets using a wood pellet mill.

Feasibility of Converting Pallet Residues into Fuel Pellets

• Reliable Supply of Raw Material

Wooden pallets serve as the structural backbone for efficient handling and storage of unit loads. Their production often coincides with the manufacturing of boxes, lumber, and other wood products. During the various stages of pallet production, including chamfering, notching, and sawing, wood residues like sawdust and chips are generated. It’s estimated that between 45% and 55% of the logs used in pallet plants end up as waste. This waste provides a readily available and ample source of raw material for fuel pellet production.

• Demand in Bio-energy Markets

The growth of bio-energy markets presents an opportunity to turn pallet residues into fuel pellets. Wood pellets are among the most popular renewable energy sources globally. They’re denser than natural wood and have a low moisture content below 10%, meaning less energy is required to evaporate water. Compared to direct combustion of wood waste, wood pellets burn at higher temperatures with greater efficiency.

• Advantages of Using Pallet Residues

Economic Benefits:
Utilizing wood waste to produce pellets reduces landfill disposal, conserving space. The pellets themselves can be a valuable secondary product, adding to the overall value of pallet residues. As energy prices rise, converting pallet residues into fuel pellets becomes an economically viable option.

Environmental Benefits:
Wood pellets are a renewable resource, representing a sustainable energy source. Using them as fuel reduces waste and pollution, contributing to a greener future.