SPIE Industrie, the French subsidiary of SPIE and a major European multi-technical services provider, is helping Bretagne Pellets improve production at its Mauron site in Morbihan.
The collaboration supports Bretagne Pellets - one of Brittany’s leading wood pellet producers - in enhancing efficiency as demand for renewable heating fuels continues to rise.
France’s wood pellet market has grown rapidly, with national output reaching 2.3 million tonnes in 2023 and a target of 3 million tonnes set for 2030.
In response to this expansion, Bretagne Pellets turned to SPIE Industrie to automate and optimise its briquette production processes.
SPIE’s work covers the entire chain from design to commissioning.
The company has introduced a range of technologies, including an AI-powered visual inspection system to check briquette quality at the extruder stage.
A custom-built distribution hub manages multiple packaging formats, while a conveyor system feeds products to a flexible palletising unit compatible with all formats.
The automated line can process up to 34 logs per minute - around three tonnes per hour - and maintains this pace while handling a mix of packaging options: RSC boxes, wrap-around cases, pallets and Kraft paper bags.
Usually used for bulk goods, Kraft bags have been adapted specifically for solid briquettes.
Operators use an intuitive interface designed for quick switching between packaging types.
The layout prioritises ease of access for maintenance, helping reduce downtime and keep production continuous.
Dorothée Gilbert, head of SPIE Industrie’s Production & Mechanical Engineering Department, said the company’s familiarity with Bretagne Pellets’ needs and the strength of its technical approach were key to securing the contract.
“Working closely with the Bretagne Pellets team enabled us to develop a tailored solution in under two months, demonstrating our flexibility and sector expertise,” she said.
SPIE backs Bretagne Pellets in bid to boost wood briquette output
