Brussels 17.10.17 – In the wake of the release of AEBIOM’s Statistical Report 2017, the European Pellet Council (EPC, an AEBIOM network) in charge of ENplus® management, announced a record year for the wood pellet quality scheme. With over 8,1 million tonnes certified worldwide in 2016 and 9,2 million tonnes anticipated by the end of 2017, ENplus® confirms its leading role in the global harmonisation of high quality wood pellets.
Initially developed and launched in Germany in 2010 in order to ensure wood pellet quality all along the supply chain, ENplus® has experienced a sustained growth over the years, expanding beyond European borders. In 2016, ENplus® certified 366 pellet producers and 324 traders over 41 countries, with a positive trend confirmed by the projections for 2017 showing as many as 411 certified producers (+12%) and 359 traders (+11%). Producers from Australia and New Zealand have also applied for the first time.
Germany maintained its leading position with 1,7 million tonnes of ENplus® pellets produced, followed by Austria, France and Romania. Russian demand for ENplus® certification is also remarkable. In 2016, the federation was the first non-EU28 country in terms of production, ranking in the top five worldwide. This trend was confirmed in 2017, with one of the most substantial increases in certified volume.
According to Gilles Gauthier, General Manager of the scheme “Market players’ interest in ENplus® will allow us to continue investing serenely in consolidating the scheme, its implementation and the coordination with ENplus® partners. Maintaining high and harmonised standards will be key for the long-term establishment of the pellet sector.”
Regarding quality classes, over 90% of all certified production is sealed ENplus® A1, the scheme’s highest grade. ENplus® A2 represents around 9%, while ENplus® B pellet production remains limited with less than 1% of the certified volume. This distribution clearly indicates that the European heating sector remains a market driven by premium quality pellets.
The rapid growth of the certification also implies a specific attention to both quality controls and brand protection: besides the yearly inspections, any quality complaint is closely followed by the ENplus® team, potentially leading to extraordinary inspections. This allows for a constant quality control throughout the year. Trademark fraud is also closely monitored by ENplus® management, as attested by the 478 infringements identified and positively solved over the past two years.
Eric Vial, President of the European Pellet Council confirmed “The ENplus® scheme reached a whole new level, it is now essential to protect and develop its reputation. Among other strategic orientations, we have therefore decided to work in 2018 on improving public awareness about pellet quality and the ENplus® brand.”
Note for Editors: In addition to the present press release, you will find below a hyperlink to a set of illustrations presenting the most noticeable statistics related to the latest developments of ENplus®. Should you choose to use these illustrations, please make sure to mention the source and feature the logos of both the AEBIOM Statistical Report 2017 and the European Pellet Council.
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>> Download ENplus® 2017 Statistical Overview
Press Contact:
Vianney Stoll
Communications Officer
stoll@aebiom.org
Phone: +32 2 319 47 83