EN Plus A2 Wood Pellets: What They Are and Who Needs Them
EN Plus A2 wood pellets are fuel made from ground and compressed wood with ash content up to 1.5%. Grade A2 is designed for industrial boilers and heat plants, where quality requirements are slightly less strict than for Grade A1 (residential heating). HS code: 4401.31.
Ukrainian pellets are competitive due to a large raw material base (wood processing waste) and relatively low production costs. Calorific value: ≥16.5 MJ/kg, moisture: ≤12%.
Markets and Price Conditions
The largest EU wood pellet consumers are the UK, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands (industrial sector) and Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia (residential and commercial). Price FOB Black Sea port: $100–140/t; CPT EU: $130–180/t depending on season.
Demand peaks in September–March. Buyers typically sign annual contracts with monthly shipments. Contract volumes range from 500 t/month to 5,000 t/month for large traders.
EN Plus Certification and Quality Requirements
EN Plus is the international pellet quality certification scheme. Obtaining an A2 certificate requires an audit of the production process and laboratory testing by an accredited body (e.g. DNV, TÜV). Annual certificate renewal is required.
Key parameters: diameter 6±1 mm, length ≤40 mm, ash content ≤1.5%, moisture ≤12%, mechanical durability ≥96.5%, sulphur content ≤0.05%. Deviations from parameters result in claims and financial penalties.
Logistics and Packaging
Pellets can be supplied in bulk in hopper or covered railway wagons (50–60 t), in 1,000-kg BigBags, or in 15-kg bags for the retail segment. For sea shipment, bulk carriers or containers with liners are used.
A key requirement: pellets must not get wet. Wet pellets crumble, losing durability and calorific value. Ensure protection from precipitation at every stage of the supply chain.
How UKRexport Can Help
List your pellet specification and FOB price on the UKRexport marketplace to receive enquiries from verified traders. Our consulting team will assist with contract preparation and selecting a logistics route.