In a recent update from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Monthly Densified Biomass Fuels Report, U.S. manufacturers demonstrated strong productivity in the biomass sector, producing approximately 870,000 tons of densified biomass fuels in July. Moreover, the report revealed that sales of densified biomass achieved a substantial figure of 750,000 tons for the same month.
This comprehensive report, which collected data from 76 operating manufacturers of densified biomass fuels, provides valuable insights into the sector’s performance. Notably, the report’s coverage extends to manufacturers with annual production capacities of over 10,000 tons, offering a detailed snapshot of the industry’s monthly operations.
The 76 manufacturers surveyed in July boasted a collective production capacity of 12.6 million tons per year, all facilitated by a skilled workforce totaling 2,481 full-time employees.
Key statistics from the report shed light on the production process. Respondents in July procured an impressive 1.48 million metric tons of raw biomass feedstock, which were transformed into 870,000 tons of densified biomass fuel, consisting of 141,888 tons of heating pellets and 733,794 tons of utility pellets.
Domestic sales of densified biomass fuel saw a notable performance, with 113,792 tons sold at an average price of $216.77 per ton during the same month. Simultaneously, exports in July reached 639,345 tons, fetching an average price of $182.28 per ton.
Inventories also exhibited positive trends, as premium/standard pellets reached 264,517 tons in July, showing an increase from 232,284 tons in June. Utility pellet inventories expanded to 461,956 tons in July, up from 435,970 tons in the previous month.
The data from the EIA’s report paints a picture of a robust industry, with a total U.S. densified biomass fuel capacity reaching 12.69 million tons in July. This capacity encompasses regions across the country, with 1.81 million tons in the East, 10.25 million tons in the South, and 632,450 tons in the West, all classified as currently operational or temporarily not in operation. These numbers reflect the dynamism of the U.S. biomass industry, as it continues to contribute to the nation’s energy landscape.
