Key highlights:

• High-level meeting in Imst, Austria, hosted by Pfeiffer Group and CEO Michael Pfeiffer
• Organization by proPellets Austria and AIEL, associations representing the wood pellet sector in their respective countries
• Manolis Karampinis (Bioenergy Europe / European Pellet Council) shared insights on major EU policy files affecting the premium pellet sector and global/European pellet market trends
• Discussions on the ENplus® certification scheme and cross-border collaboration

Strengthening collaboration in European bioenergy

Last week, proPellets Austria with the collaboration of AIEL organized a bilateral exchange for their members involved in the Austrian and Italian wood pellet sectors. This strategic exchange took place in Imst, Austria, kindly hosted by Pfeiffer Group and its CEO, Michael Pfeiffer. The event served as a platform to discuss shared challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s fast-evolving wood pellet and cross-border cooperation between the two countries.

Bioenergy Europe on EU policy frameworks shaping the pellet sector

Representing Bioenergy Europe and the European Pellet Council, Manolis Karampinis, Business Development and Membership Director, provided an overview of the EU policy landscape affecting the premium pellet sector, focusing on four main policy files: the latest developments in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the revision of the Ecodesign Regulation and its potential impact on pellet stoves and boiler markets, the proposal for a Green Claims Directive, and the expectations from the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. To learn more about Bioenergy Europe’s positions and ongoing work on these key policy files, visit our Policy Positions page.

ENplus®: ensuring quality, traceability, and sustainability

A major part of the discussion focused on the ENplus® certification scheme, managed by Bioenergy Europe globally and by proPellets Austria and AIEL in their respective countries. Over its 15-years of existence, ENplus® has grown to become the global benchmark for wood pellet quality.

 

Mr. Karampinis highlighted how ENplus® has achieved widespread recognition for its role in promoting transparency, preventing fraud, and guaranteeing product consistency across markets. As the pellet industry becomes more competitive, ENplus® continues to evolve, introducing new tools and auditing mechanisms to ensure certified companies meet the highest standards. He also stressed the importance of maintaining credibility in an increasingly crowded market, where competing certification schemes and shifting policy expectations require constant adaptation and innovation.

Trends shaping the wood pellet market

The discussions among the workshop participants explored current and future wood pellet market trends in Austria and Italy, focusing on common issues: consumer trust, transparency in pricing and communications. Mr. Karampinis contributed to the discussion by offering insights from Bioenergy Europe’s 2025 Pellet Statistical Report on the global and European market trends and expectations for market evolution, both in the short and in the longer term.

Shared goals for a sustainable future

The workshop in Imst reaffirmed the close partnership between AIEL, proPellets Austria, and Bioenergy Europe. By working together in the framework of the European Pellet Council, the three associations continue to strengthen the competitiveness and credibility of the European pellet market, while promoting sustainable energy practices and carbon reduction across the continent.

 

As the EU advances towards its 2040 climate targets, collaboration between national bioenergy sectors, such as the Austrian and Italian pellet communities, will remain essential in ensuring that renewable heat, biomass energy, and circular bioeconomy solutions reach their full potential. AIEL and proPellets Austria will continue cooperation along these lines, planning a follow up workshop in 2026 to continue the dialogue and deepen the collaboration.

On October 9th, the IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2025 took place in Dublin, gathering leading experts, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss the evolving role of bioenergy in Europe’s climate transition. The event focused on key policy developments, innovation, and practical challenges shaping the sector’s future.

Representing Bioenergy Europe, Ennio Prizzi, Senior Policy Officer, delivered a comprehensive update on EU climate policy, from the broader strategic direction to specific regulatory frameworks that affect the bioenergy sector.

Overview of EU Climate Policy

Ennio Prizzi opened with an overview of the EU’s climate policy architecture. He emphasized that while the path toward climate neutrality is ambitious, maintaining policy coherence and predictability is crucial for industries like bioenergy, which invest heavily in long-term infrastructure and sustainable feedstock supply chains.

CRCF: A Framework for Carbon Removals

A key focus of the IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2025 was the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF), the EU’s emerging system for certifying permanent and temporary carbon removals.
Prizzi explained the goals of the CRCF, which aim to create trust and transparency in carbon removal claims, encourage investment in sustainable carbon storage solutions, and ensure robust monitoring, reporting, and verification standards.

He also described the different types of carbon removals covered under the framework, such as:

• Permanent geological storage (e.g., BECCS or DACCS),
• Temporary storage in products or soil carbon, and
• Carbon farming, which focuses on enhancing sequestration in agricultural and forestry systems.

Certification and Process

During his intervention, Prizzi detailed how the certification process under the CRCF will work in practice, from project application to verification and issuance of certificates. He stressed the importance of maintaining rigorous sustainability safeguards to ensure that certified projects deliver genuine, measurable climate benefits. He also outlined the timeline for implementation.

The EU Decision-Making Process

Prizzi took the opportunity to demystify the EU decision-making process behind the CRCF, explaining the steps involved in designing such a framework. From the European Commission’s initial proposal to the trilogue negotiations between Parliament, Council, and Commission, he highlighted how technical details, political compromise, and stakeholders’ input all play critical roles in shaping the final regulation.

Bioenergy and the CRCF: How They Intersect

One of the central points of Ennio Prizzi’s presentation at the IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2025 was the connection between bioenergy and the CRCF. He noted that the framework directly intersects with the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), another key piece of EU legislation governing biomass sustainability.

Specifically, biomass raw materials that already meet REDIII sustainability certification standards will automatically comply with the corresponding sustainability criteria under the CRCF Regulation. This alignment avoids double certification and administrative burden for operators. 

Looking Ahead

The IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2025 underscored how vital EU-level policy consistency is for the growth and competitiveness of the bioenergy sector. Ennio Prizzi concluded by stressing that Bioenergy Europe will continue to engage with EU institutions to ensure that bioenergy’s contribution to carbon removals, renewable heat, and sustainable growth is fully recognized in the evolving policy landscape.

Bioenergy Europe presents the latest updates at Biomass PowerON 2025 conference

On October 8th and 9th, Bioenergy Europe presented the latest biomass updates at Biomass PowerON 2025 conference, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The event gathered experts and professionals from across Europe to discuss the future of bioenergy and biomass within the EU’s clean energy transition. The conference covered a broad range of topics, from renewable heat and power to negative-emission technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Policy developments and the future of sustainable biomass supply chains were also high on the agenda.

Representing Bioenergy Europe, Ileana Repaci delivered a comprehensive overview of the most relevant EU policy files shaping the bioenergy sector today. Her presentation focused on four main topics:

Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII)

During the Biomass PowerON 2025 conference Repaci outlined the main changes introduced by REDIII, especially the strengthened sustainability criteria for biomass. She explained that under the new provisions, direct financial support for certain feedstocks will no longer be allowed, as national schemes will need to prioritise the cascading use of biomass. She also noted that, to date, Denmark remains the only EU country without an open infringement procedure for late transposition of the Directive, showing how implementation is still a challenge across Europe.

 

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Turning to the EUDR, Repaci summarised the regulation’s objective: to ensure that products placed on the EU market are deforestation-free, forest degradation-free, and legally produced. She detailed the due diligence requirements for both operators and traders, who must collect information on suppliers, buyers, and due diligence reference numbers. Repaci also commented on the possible postponements of implementation deadlines, highlighting the uncertainty this creates for the bioenergy value chain.

 

The 2040 Climate Target

Repaci then addressed the EU Climate Law’s 2040 target, which proposes a 90% net emissions reduction compared to 1990 levels. The Biomass Power ON 2025 conference was an opportunity to explain that, according to the Commission’s impact assessment, bioenergy and carbon removals (including BECCS) will be essential to achieving this goal. Repaci underlined that the sector will be expected to deliver permanent carbon removals, which will require both policy clarity and long-term investment support.

 

Heating and Cooling Strategy

Finally, Repaci discussed the upcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy, currently open for public consultation and expected to be adopted in 2026. She emphasised that this strategy will guide future EU legislative proposals for decarbonising the heating and cooling sectors, areas where sustainable bioenergy can make a tangible contribution to reducing emissions and ensuring energy security. She also provided a brief overview of the upcoming Bioeconomy strategy, with a brief overview on its relevance and the possible next steps.

Looking Beyond the Biomass PowerON 2025 conference

The discussions at Biomass PowerON 2025 conference demonstrated the continued importance of policy stability and innovation in keeping bioenergy competitive within Europe’s energy mix. Bioenergy Europe remains actively engaged in monitoring EU legislation and supporting a balanced, evidence-based approach to sustainable biomass. Discover more on their website.

With the biomass sector adapting to shifting policies and growing sustainability expectations, Bioenergy Europe’s Working Group Biomass Supply met last week to discuss current feedstock realities, future resource modeling, and new opportunities in agricultural biomass. Bringing together experts from across Europe’s bioenergy value chain to share perspectives on wood availability, policy frameworks, and innovative solutions that can ensure long-term security of sustainable biomass supply in Europe.

Key highlights:

• Māra Maurīte (BONO Timber) elected as the new Chair of the Working Group Biomass Supply
• Update on the wood supply situation in the Baltics and current market dynamics
• Roundtable discussion on the impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and LULUCF policy framework on the future supply of woody raw material in the EU  
• Prof. Dr. Udo Mantau (INFRO e.K) presented long-term wood use modeling for Germany through 2050
• Florian Ilias (Terravesta) showcased the potential of miscanthus and other low-input energy crops for sustainable biomass supply in Europe

 

A new Chair for a crucial time

The session opened with the election of Māra Maurīte, Head of Exports at BONO Timber, as the new Chair of the Working Group Biomass Supply. In her introductory remarks, Maurīte emphasized the importance of reliable data, sustainable forestry practices, and open collaboration between stakeholders.

Drawing from her experience in the Baltic wood sector, Maurīte also provided an update on the regional sustainable biomass supply situation. Participants discussed solid feedstock availability, harvesting constraints and biomass logistics. Certification remains a key pillar of credibility throughout the region.

 

Policy frameworks shaping tomorrow’s supply

A roundtable discussion followed, focusing on EU policies affecting sustainable biomass supply in Europe, including the evolving EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) framework. Participants discussed the European Commission’s proposed one-year delay in EUDR implementation and what it could mean for operators and traders. Moreover, the conversation highlighted the need for clearer rules and manageable timelines, particularly for smaller operators seeking to comply with geolocation and due diligence requirements.

 

Data-driven foresight for the wood sector

Building on these policy discussions, Prof. Dr. Udo Mantau (INFRO e.K) shared findings from his extensive modeling work on wood use in Germany up to 2050, developed under the DIFENs project. His research tracks material and energy wood flows across multiple industries, helping policymakers and businesses anticipate changes in sustainable biomass demand, efficiency, and availability. According to Mantau, balancing energy and material uses of wood will become increasingly important as Europe moves toward its 2040 and 2050 climate targets.

 

Agricultural biomass: the promise of miscanthus

Closing the meeting, Florian Ilias, Managing Director at Terravesta, explored the agricultural biomass frontier, focusing on miscanthus as a key example of how perennial, low-input crops can contribute to Europe’s sustainable biomass feedstock base. Beyond traditional forestry residues, crops like miscanthus are emerging as a crucial complement to diversify biomass sources.

 

Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) is a perennial grass that can grow up to four meters tall each year. It requires no fertilizers, pesticides, or irrigation, and thrives on marginal or under-utilised land, making it an ideal solution for improving soil health and reducing competition with food production. The crop offers long-term productivity of over 20 years, high yields (14–20 tonnes of dry matter per hectare), and a net carbon sequestration rate of around 2.35 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year. Notably, miscanthus also enhances biodiversity and improves soil structure through its deep-rooted system.

 

Ilias highlighted several industrial uses for miscanthus, including:

 

• Renewable heat and power generation, as a clean, low-ash combustion feedstock;
• Animal bedding, thanks to its natural absorbency and durability;
• Peat replacement in horticulture, supporting circular and low-carbon production systems;
• Biochar and biogas feedstock, contributing to carbon-negative value chains;
• Advanced materials, such as fibre composites and non-woven fabrics.

 

By expanding the use of crops like miscanthus, Europe can diversify its biomass sources, reduce dependency on forest residues, and improve the resilience of its renewable energy supply.

 

Collaboration remains key

As discussions drew to a close, participants concluded with a shared recognition that diversification, data, and cooperation are central to the future of sustainable biomass in Europe. From certified forest feedstocks to innovative agricultural crops, Europe’s bioenergy sector must continue adapting to meet growing demand while delivering measurable environmental benefits. In the coming months, the Working Group will continue to serve as a forum for knowledge exchange and collective action.

Participation in the Working Group Biomass Supply is reserved for Bioenergy Europe members, who can contribute their expertise, exchange insights with peers, and help shape Europe’s renewable energy future.

Join Bioenergy Europe today to take part in our Working Groups and support the development of a sustainable, secure bioenergy sector: https://bioenergyeurope.org/join-us-now/

With the weather starting to get colder in many parts of Europe and corresponding movements in the pellet markets, but also in the backdrop of the European Commission’s announcement of its intention to see the postponement of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one more year, Bioenergy Europe’s Working Group Pellets gathered to discuss demand, supply, trade, sustainability, certification and to elect a new chair to lead the group forward.

 

The first part of the meeting focused on market updates for the industrial and residential pellet markets. Rachael Levinson, Associate Director at Hawkins Wright, detailed latest updates in global and European wood pellet demand and supply dynamics, as well as the impact of US tariffs in certain supply regions, for industrial wood pellets. Manolis Karampinis, Business Development & Membership Director at Bioenergy Europe and General Manager of the European Pellet Council, presented the latest statistics and updates on the premium pellet market and pellet heating appliances. Expectations for a colder winter this year can stimulate production and demand. However, stable support schemes are needed to keep up appliances sales in key markets, while some attention needs to be directed to the supply side as well.

 

The second part of the meeting shifted attention to latest trends in pellet certification. Thomas Siegmund, General Manager of the SURE Verification Scheme GmbH, introduced new SURE system add-ons designed to reinforce regionality, resource efficiency, and greenhouse gas mitigation for domestic heating. Finally, Elena Dumitru, Certification Director at Bioenergy Europe, explained lessons learned from the world-leading fuel quality certification ENplus® scheme, which celebrates its 15-years of operation and continues to stand strong in a landscape growing increasingly more complex and competitive.

 

A highlight of the day was the election of James M. Tuohy, European Business Development Manager at Drax, as the new Chair of WG Pellets. James will work with Bioenergy Europe’s Secretariat in identifying priorities and topics for the WG Pellets, including the assessment and optimization of the environmental performance of pellet supply chains, the evaluation of new markets for pellets in Europe, and supporting data collection and monitoring of pellet market trends.

 

Want to be part of these conversations? Bioenergy Europe members can join our Working Groups to exchange knowledge, shape strategies, and stay ahead of market trends. Join us now!

On September 25, 2025, experts, policymakers, and industry leaders met in Stockholm and online for Svebio’s Fuel Market Day 2025. The conference, held under the theme “Navigating a changing world – Bioenergy as Europe’s growth and innovation engine”, explored how bioenergy and biomass are driving Europe’s energy transition while facing complex policy, market, and supply chain challenges.

 

As the EU’s largest renewable energy source, bioenergy provides 54% of renewable supply and avoids 300 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. At Fuel Market Day 2025, discussions centered on market outlooks, sourcing trends, technology innovations, and the resilience of Europe’s biomass supply.

 

A central moment was the panel “Between Policy and Practice: Navigating EU rules shaping bioenergy markets,” part of the wider session Bioenergy Market Outlook: Trends, Innovations and Challenges. Jérémie Geelen, Market Intelligence Director at Bioenergy Europe, addressed the main challenges tied to EU bioenergy policies, from fragmentation and revisions to the challenges of long-term planning.

 

His presentation explored the implementation of REDIII across the EU and examined the Ecodesign Directive, LULUCF, and EUDR, focusing on practical aspects such as traceability, timing, and compliance risks.

 

Policy, Practice, and the Future of Bioenergy – Highlights from Fuel Market Day 2025 made clear that strong, coherent, and forward-looking policy frameworks are essential to unlock investment, scale up supply chains, and secure the role of bioenergy as a cornerstone of Europe’s net-zero strategy.

On 3 September 2025, Bioenergy Denmark  and DI Energi hosted an event in Copenhagen to discuss the role of bioenergy in the green transition in Denmark and the EU. The conference brought together policymakers, industry representatives, and stakeholders to explore how bioenergy is evolving and what lies ahead for the sector.

 

The morning opened with a European perspective on bioenergy, where Ileana Repaci, Junior Policy Officer at Bioenergy Europe, presented on the latest developments in Brussels. Her presentation highlighted key legislative files currently shaping the sector, including the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), with a focus on implementation status and the approval of certification schemes. She also addressed progress on the Ecodesign Directive revision of Solid Fuel Boilers and Solid Fuel Local Space Heaters. Further updates covered the EU Climate Law and the 2040 target amendment proposal, as well as the upcoming strategies on the bioeconomy and heating and cooling, policies that will be decisive for the future role of bioenergy in Europe’s energy system.

 

The conference then turned to the Danish context, with sessions on the new regulation of sustainable biomass and the importance of security of supply in the electricity sector. Discussions also explored the role of CO₂ capture in combination with bioenergy, an area with strong potential to deliver negative emissions.

 

The event was an opportunity to foster dialogue between participants, encouraging exchange between policymakers, industry, and local stakeholders. With bioenergy forming a cornerstone of both Denmark’s and Europe’s green transition, the discussions underlined how essential it will remain for achieving climate neutrality while supporting energy security. The conference confirmed that bioenergy is a driver of innovation, local development, and sustainability for the years to come.

Welcome to Bioenergy Europe’s reading picks for an energetic summer! At Bioenergy Europe, we know the joy of curling up with a good book beside a cozy wood stove. Yet, enjoying a great read after setting up your out of office reply is not just a winter pastime. 

 

This summer, Bioenergy Europe’s team invites you on a literary journey across continents, centuries and even planets. From sweeping historical tales and magical realism to sharp essays and unexpected journeys, our list will take you across the globe and beyond.

 

So, whether you’re by the beach, in the mountains, or simply relishing a quiet moment at home, these books are here to energise your mind and imagination. Fuel your imagination, discover Bioenergy Europe’s reading picks for an energetic summer. Grab a drink (and a book) and let the adventure begin.