UK pellet producer receives new European certification

Wood pellets manufactured by Verdo Renewables, a Danish utility company and pellet producer, at its plants in Andover and Grangemouth are the first in the UK to receive certification under ENplus, the new Europe-wide standard for premium quality wood pellets.

Certificate number UK001 was awarded to Verdo by OFI Cert, the Austrian certification body working in co-operation with the European Pellet Council.

The aim of the new certification system is to secure the supply for end consumers of standardised, high-quality wood pellets. The complete supply chain is evaluated to guarantee the consistently high quality of delivered wood pellets. This means evaluation of not only the manufactured wood pellets, but also labelling, logistics, storage and delivery to end customers.

Richard Smith, managing director, Verdo Renewables says: 'As our business is gearing up to meet the demand predicted as a result of the Renewable Heat Incentive, we support fully the introduction of the ENplus standard and its aim to ensure a premium quality product for customers.'

The general manager of the European Pellet Council Peter Rechberger adds, 'I congratulate Verdo Renewables for their efforts and the ENplus certification. As wood pellets become an ever more important energy carrier, a clearly defined uniform quality level becomes indispensable. The consistent pellet quality will greatly aid the development of the young pellets market in the UK and ensure customer satisfaction.'

Together Verdo's two wood pellet plants have a production capacity of 110,000 tonnes a year.