Nordic Pellets Conference 2026 links operational reality with EU policy drivers
The Nordic Pellets Conference 2026, organised by Svebio, the Swedish Pellet Association, and Bioenergi, took place on 3–4 February in Gothenburg, brough together around 120 participants ranging from pellet producers, technology providers and end-users to discuss the role of pellets in heating and industrial decarbonisation.
Bioenergy Europe participated in the Day 2 session “Pellets use for industry and heating – including policy drivers”, where Manolis Karampinis, Bioenergy Europe’s Business Development & Membership Director and European Pellet Council Manager, connected current EU policy developments with the investment and compliance decisions faced by pellet producers, traders, and end-users.
Study tour with a focus on pellets in district heating
The conference started with a visit to the Landvetter municipality, where Solör Bioenergi, a Bioenergy Europe member, operates a 4 MW district heating plant. The plant has run on wood pellets since 2024 after previously using briquettes. The site reported smooth operations with virtually no alarms, boiler efficiency around 85–90%, high availability, and steady logistics. The plant’s long-running boiler unit, delivered in 2002, is still performing strongly, underlining how well-managed pellet supply and stable combustion can extend asset lifetimes.
Conference programme combining market, technology and policy perspectives
The rich conference programme extended over two half days, covering topics ranging from market situation in the Swedish, European and global pellet markets, developments in trade patterns, sustainability certification, EU policies, technological innovation in pellet production and use, new business models and opportunities, and safety aspects.
Bioenergy Europe contributed to the conference programme with a presentation entitled “From Brussels to Biomass: What EU Energy & Climate Policy Means for the Pellet Sector”. In his intervention, Manolis, provided details on several recent policy files that are impacting the development of the wood pellet sector in Europe: the recently published Bioeconomy Strategy, the ongoing consultation on the revision of Annexes V and VI of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the impact on the pellet supply chains from the introduced simplifications in the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the discussions on the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations for biomass stoves and boilers, and the newly opened discussion on the Governance of the Energy Union.
Manolis’ takeaways: what to watch from Brussels
“What happens in Brussels does not stay in Brussels, it has real implications for the pellet sector all over Europe. The key is to stay ahead of implementation: rules are moving fast, but they are not moving blindly. If the pellet sector works together and brings clear evidence and practical feedback early, EU policy can support both decarbonisation and market stability,” explained Manolis.
His message was that the next phase for the pellet market will be shaped by implementation: how RED III is applied in practice, how EUDR obligations translate along supply chains, and how Ecodesign discussions may affect the future development and organic growth of the residential market. His conclusion for the sector was practical: track the timelines, anticipate compliance needs early, and stay engaged through your association with policymakers so that new requirements remain robust and workable for producers, traders and end-users.
