2018 proved to be another booming year for the global wood pellet market with a 26% growth rate compared to 2017. Reported global pellet trade reached a significant 23.8 million tonnes in 2018 (compared with 18.9 million tonnes in 2017).
Accoya cladding can be manufactured from imported Australia and New Zealand Radiata pine. Radiata pine is used in Australia (AU) and New Zealand (NZ) to produce structural sawn timber components.
North America continues its world dominance as the largest producer/exporter of pellets while Europe continues to be the largest consumer of wood pellets. While weather and energy prices (oil and natural gas) are the main indicators for the heating pellets markets, the industrial pellet markets continue to be driven by government policies.
Over the years, the European CLT manufacturing sector went through a “standard” technological evolution until they reached the current second-generation phase with efficient speedy hydraulic presses complemented by smart design and CNC manufacturing.
Canada and Vietnam remain major wood pellet producers. However, Vietnam may become challenged by higher raw material costs.