ENplus® as a success factor for the pellet industry
The ENplus® certification scheme for wood pellets was developed in 2010 by the German Pellet Institute (DEPI), in collaboration with the German Biomass Research Centre in Leipzig (DBFZ), and with the involvement of ProPellets Austria. Beate Schmidt-Menig, who was chairwoman of the German Energy Wood and Pellet Association (DEPV) at the time — the ‘mother’ of DEPI — played a key role in this development.
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Why was the ENplus® certification for wood pellets introduced?
The situation with pellet heating was very different back then. Although this new, unfamiliar energy source was attractive and in high demand, there were problems around combustion. This was primarily due to the high proportion of fine sawdust, which impaired the performance of the heating system. This resulted in discussions between pellet suppliers and heating engineers to determine who was responsible for the malfunctioning systems. The situation threatened to cause permanent reputation damage. Therefore, the still-young DEPV association and I as its chairwoman needed to take action.
How did you specifically address the problem?
Since the quality of the pellets produced has always been very high, we knew we had to look for the causes in the supply chain. Pellets are known to be “just” compressed sawdust. During production, the addition of binding agents is kept to a minimum for cost reasons. Therefore, it was necessary to establish guidelines for transporting and delivering the sensitive pellets to the customer’s storage spaces, since this is where they are most at risk of damage, namely a content of fine material.
And that’s where the idea for ENplus® came from?
Yes, exactly. Fortunately, we had a pellet expert on our team, our board member Martin Behr. He came up with the idea of developing a pellet certification system that goes beyond production and extends its scope to cover the delivery to the customer. That was the basis for our success, which is ultimately reflected in the fact that discussions in the boiler room have almost come to an end and the systems are running smoothly.
That doesn’t sound like a simple process!
No, it wasn’t. But fortunately, with the German Pellet Institute – thanks to support from the German federal government – we had the opportunity to establish a limited liability company (GmbH) in Berlin that could implement this ambitious project. With the German Biomass Research Centre, and in particular Dr. Volker Lenz, we had the necessary scientific partner. We involved proPellets Austria, our sister association, from the very beginning to ensure European approval. Because a purely national seal, exclusively for the German market, would not have been successful.
What specific benefits do consumers gain from the ENplus® certification?
Thanks to the transport and logistics expertise that certified companies are required to have, consumers receive pellets delivered to their stores that, especially in terms of fines, are almost identical to those directly after pressing. This ensures smooth and trouble-free heating operation.
How do you personally assess the development of ENplus®?
ENplus® is standard today. There’s no greater compliment. I remember that at the beginning, we were unsure whether the pellet trade would accept the system. The level of acceptance truly surprised us. Today, around 80% of the pellets sold in Germany are supplied by ENplus® certified traders. This is essential for the smooth operation and success of the industry. ENplus® also brings together the different parts of the supply chain, i.e. the pellet trader and heating specialists. This is extremely important and something we can all be proud of.
What advice would you give to a consumer considering purchasing a pellet heating system – what should they pay particular attention to when purchasing pellets?
Pellet quality is crucial for smooth heating operation. Purchasing pellets from a trader who can demonstrate their expertise through ENplus® is a prerequisite. Anyone who has ever been disappointed with cheap pellets has learned this the hard way. DEPV and DEPI should be more active in influencing the HVAC trade. They should explain this to their customers, and recommend that they purchase pellets exclusively through ENplus®-certified retailers.
And what are you doing as a heating appliance manufacturer for ENplus®?
Almost all boiler manufacturers recommend this quality label, and some even link their warranty to it. We, the heating appliance manufacturers recognised the potential for success of ENplus® early on and have promoted it. It’s great that, in the 15th year of ENplus®, we once again have the opportunity to draw attention to this important consumer issue.
Photo: Deutsches Pelletinstitut