Wood chips and sawdust are by-products generated in large quantities by sawmills, furniture factories, panel plants, and wood-processing facilities. Compared with raw logs, these materials already feature a reduced and more uniform particle size, typically below 30 mm, which significantly lowers the requirement for primary size reduction.
In industrial applications, the moisture content of wood chips and sawdust usually ranges from 10% to 50%, depending on storage conditions, processing methods, and wood species. This wide moisture variation makes controlled drying a key factor in ensuring stable pellet production.
These materials are widely available in regions with developed wood-processing industries, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. Due to their stable supply and consistent characteristics, wood chips and sawdust are among the most commonly used feedstocks in commercial wood pellet plants.
Pellets produced from sawdust and wood chips typically achieve a calorific value of 16–19 MJ/kg (approximately 3,800–4,500 kcal/kg), depending on wood species, moisture control, and pellet density.
Key Equipment Configuration Screening Unit Removes over-size chips to protect downstream equipment. Hammer Mill Further reduces particle size to below 10 mm for stable pellet formation. Rotary Drum Dryer Reduces moisture content to the pelletizing range (typically 10–15%) when raw material is wet. Pellet Machine Core equipment that compresses material into dense, high-quality biomass pellets. Counterflow Cooler Gradually cools hot pellets to improve durability and storage stability. Packing Machine Enables small bag or ton bag packaging according to market requirements.
Why This Solution Works The raw stream arrives already chipped and relatively dry, so the high-energy chipping stage is eliminated. A short screening and hammer-milling cycle produces uniform < 10 mm feed, and the rotary dryer is bypassed when moisture is within the 10–15 % window. The short, soft fibres compress easily, allowing the pellet mill to run smoothly, consume less power and still deliver dense, durable pellets that store and handle well.
Processing Notes & Technical Considerations Keep inlet moisture < 50 % to avoid dryer overload. Final particle size must be < 10 mm before entering the pellet mill. Excess moisture will lower hourly output and reduce pellet durability. Uniform feeding improves pellet density and machine stability.
End Product & Applications Pellets made from wood chips and sawdust are widely used in industrial boilers, CHP systems, and residential heating markets. Their uniform quality and predictable energy performance make them suitable for both domestic use and international trade.
Data Reference & Industry Sources The data and industry insights presented on this page are derived from publications and reports by Bioenergy Europe, FAO, IEA Bioenergy, and global wood pellet market studies.
Hot Product
Pellet Machine
The 8th Generation Centrifugal Pellet Machine is developed for continuous, high-load industrial pellet production, especially for wood and biomass materials with strict requirements on output stability and pellet quality.
High-precision rollers with wear-resistant alloy steel
Hardened gear reducer ensures stable power transmission
Air-cooling system supports 24-hour continuous operation
SKF imported main shaft bearings ensure stable operation
The High-Efficiency Hammer Mill is designed to provide stable and efficient grinding performance for biomass and wood materials used in pellet production lines.
Built with a dynamically balanced rotor and precision CNC-machined structure, the machine delivers smooth operation, reduced vibration, and consistent grinding results.
An all-round discharge design combined with easy-access maintenance structure helps improve production efficiency and reduce downtime.
For integrated operation, the hammer mill can be supplied with a complete auxiliary system, including air conveying and dust collection equipment, offering users a reliable and well-organized grinding solution.
The pellet cooler is designed for cooling high-temperature pellets after pelletizing. By adopting a counterflow cooling principle, it allows pellets to cool gradually and evenly, helping prevent surface cracking, internal stress, and excessive brittleness. This cooling process improves pellet strength, stability, and overall product quality, making the cooler an essential part of industrial pellet production lines.
The packing machine is used for final-stage pellet packaging before delivery.
According to different application and logistics requirements, the system can be equipped with jumbo bag packing scales or small bag packing scales, providing flexible packing solutions for pellet production lines.
Auxiliary equipment is essential for ensuring stable, continuous, and efficient operation of a biomass pellet production line.
According to different material characteristics, process requirements, and plant layouts, various screening, conveying, storage, dust collection systems, and spare parts can be configured to support smooth material flow and reliable long-term production.
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