Germany Leads EU in Sustainable Biomass, US Wood Pellet Trade Facing Scrutiny
Germany, a leading consumer of certified sustainable biomass, is a net exporter of wood pellets. Meanwhile, the United States, primarily exporting to Europe, faces concerns over its wood pellet trade practices.
In 2013, the U.S. exported over 3.2 million short tons of wood pellets, with the European Union being the main trading partner. However, environmentalists on both sides of the Atlantic oppose the cofiring of biomass in coal plants, a practice prevalent in the UK and Belgium, which together account for 77% of U.S. exports.
Germany, unlike its European counterparts, consumes wood pellets mainly for heat. North America is now exploring biomass cofiring, with projects like the new Ontario power plant running on wood pellets. Despite this, a petition signed by over 50,000 U.S. citizens was presented to the European Commission in 2014, opposing the use of U.S. wood pellets in European coal plants.
While Germany is not the largest importer of U.S. wood pellets, the focus lies on the UK and Belgium, which together make up a significant portion of U.S. exports. Environmentalists call for a ban on wood pellet imports and an end to cofiring practices in these countries, which would address three quarters of the issue.
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