Biomass pellets are 6–12 mm compressed cylinders made from dried, ground biomass. They hold 3,800–4,800 kcal/kg of energy, carry under 10% moisture, and serve as a renewable replacement for coal and furnace oil in boilers, kilns, and power plants.
What exactly is a biomass pellet?
A biomass pellet is a small, hard cylinder of organic material that has been dried, ground, and compressed under high pressure. The heat of compression releases lignin — a natural resin in plant tissue — which sets as the pellet cools and holds it together without any added glue or chemical binder.
The result is a fuel that is uniform, dry, and energy-dense. Because every pellet is roughly the same size and moisture level, it burns far more predictably than loose biomass and can be fed automatically into modern combustion systems.
What are biomass pellets made from?
Almost any dry agricultural or forestry residue can be pelletised. In India, the most common feedstocks are by-products that would otherwise be burned in the open or left to waste:
How biomass pellets are made
Pelletising follows a fixed sequence — each step prepares the material for the next:
- 1
Collection & drying
Raw biomass is gathered and dried to below 12% moisture so it binds and burns predictably.
- 2
Grinding
A hammer mill reduces the material to a fine, uniform particle size ready for densification.
- 3
Conditioning
Controlled heat and moisture soften the lignin — the plant's own natural binder.
- 4
Pelletising
A pellet mill forces the material through a steel die under high pressure, forming dense cylinders.
- 5
Cooling & screening
Pellets are cooled to harden, then screened to remove fines for a clean, consistent product.
- 6
Packing
Finished pellets are bagged or supplied in bulk, ready to fire in boilers, kilns, and gasifiers.
Key properties at a glance
These four numbers decide how a pellet performs and what it's worth. Exact figures vary with feedstock and grade.
Calorific value
Higher for wood, lower for agro-residue
Moisture content
Far drier than raw biomass
Ash content
Under 1.5% for clean wood pellets
Bulk density
Compact to store and transport
Why industries are switching
Renewable & low-carbon
Made from waste biomass that would otherwise be burned in fields or sent to landfill.
High, consistent energy
Uniform size and low moisture give a steady, efficient burn versus loose biomass.
Easy to store & handle
Dense, free-flowing, and compact — they ship and stack far more efficiently than briquettes or raw fuel.
Cost-effective fuel
A competitive, price-stable alternative to coal and furnace oil for thermal needs.
Cleaner combustion
Lower ash and emissions than coal, helping plants meet pollution-control norms.
Drop-in for boilers
Work in most existing biomass and multi-fuel boilers with little or no modification.
Where biomass pellets are used
From heavy industry to mushroom farms, pellets show up wherever clean, controllable heat — or a consistent organic substrate — is needed.
Pellets vs other fuels
How biomass pellets stack up against briquettes, raw biomass, and coal on the factors that matter most.
| Fuel | Size | Moisture | Feeding | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomass pelletsRecommended | 6–12 mm | < 10% | Fully automatic | Boilers, gasifiers, co-firing |
| Biomass briquettes | 60–90 mm | < 12% | Manual / semi-auto | Bulk furnaces, kilns |
| Raw biomass | Loose / irregular | 20–50% | Manual | Low-efficiency burning |
| Coal | Lumps | Variable | Mechanical | High-emission heat |
Browse grades by feedstock, or send us your monthly tonnage for a bulk quote.