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From coal to wood pellets

Last updated: May 9, 2025

Summary

Arbacore pellets have been specially developed to replace or mix with fossil fuel in coal-fired power plants. Arbacore is produced using a steam explosion process in which the wood fibers are broken down and lignin, the binding agent in wood, is released. A similar solution is torrefaction, making torrefied pellets. These process creates pellets that are brown, almost black, with a higher energy content and a film that makes them water-resistant. During pulverization, the particles become so fine that they are more similar to coal than the regular white pellets.

Problem

The world rapidly needs to reduce CO2 emissions and to phase out coal power generation, while still maintaining reliable base load to the electricity grid. The transition needs to happen quickly, at low cost and at a minimum CO2 footprint.

Solution

Arbaflame neutralize coal plants used for balancing power by replacing coal with pellets from residual waste (sawdust) from sawmills practicing sustainable forestry. In the process they also make chemicals used in bio-plastics, food flavouring, polymers, solvents and fish feed.

Outcome

The steam treated wood pellets have similar characteristics as coal; being utilized, transported and stored in the same way. The patented technology has been proven for +10 years at full-scale demo plant, and tested & verified at 14 power plants in Europe & North America.