European Pellet Council convenes in Chania for strategic discussions and site visits

On September 4-6, representatives of the national biomass and pellet associations that are members of the European Pellet Council (EPC) gathered in Chania, Greece, for its annual Seminar. The EPC Seminar serves as a platform for discussions, strategic planning, joint activities and collaborations related to the premium pellet sector. 

During this year’s Seminar, participants had the chance to exchange information on the current state of the pellet market and the expectations for the upcoming heating season. They also discussed the latest pellet statistics released by Bioenergy Europe in June 2024 and related methodological approaches and brainstormed on joint communication actions. Finally, attendants and were briefed on market developments of the ENplus(R) certification scheme, among other topics. Moreover, the participants had the chance to hear from Mr. Nikitas Klapakis, representative of Energon – Heating Systems about the local wood pellet market in Crete and the applications of pellets in bakeries, households and hotels. 

Crete is world famous for its olive oil, but what is not as well known is that the olive oil production process generates significant volumes of residues from which biomass fuels can be extracted and reused for energy purposes. In the second day of the Seminar, participants had the chance to understand the olive oil and olive biomass value chain through a series of site visits, starting with a tour of ABEA, an historical olive oil business funded in in 1889. ABEA operates an olive pomace mill that treats the residues of the olive oil production and produces olive pomace oil, olive cake, as well as cosmetics from olive oil. The group also visited the Koukakis Group olive mill, which is committed to promoting Cretan products internationally, and were briefed on the production of extra virgin olive oil. Finally, the group toured the RES Exhibition Center. Founded in the beginning of the previous century as a small hydropower plant, the installation now serves as an educational and cultural hub, promoting knowledge and awareness of sustainable energy sources in Greece – including bioenergy. 

Overall, the 2024 Seminar was an excellent opportunity for the EPC members to discuss, network and plan future activities, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving the wood pellet industry’s future.