Straw and Wood Biomass Pellet Production Line in Serbia

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Investor Profile

The client is a Serbian private enterprise with agricultural roots, previously engaged in grain trading and farm management. Recognizing the growing demand for renewable energy and the challenges of crop residue disposal, the company sought to diversify into bioenergy production. Their main goals were:

• To utilize locally available straw and wood residues efficiently.
• To reduce waste burning in the surrounding villages.
• To establish a new revenue stream by selling biomass pellets to both domestic households and international markets.
• To contribute to Serbia’s commitments under the EU Green Deal.

For the technical solution, the investor partnered with RICHI Machinery, an internationally recognized supplier of pellet production equipment. RICHI provided equipment selection, plant design, installation guidance, and operator training, ensuring that the facility could start production with stable performance and low operating costs.

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Project Scale and Investment

Unlike large-scale industrial biomass facilities, this Serbian biomass pellet project was developed as a compact operation suitable for rural conditions.

• Production capacity: 12–15 tons/day of pellets, equal to 4,200–4,500 tons/year.
• Operating regime: Single shift, 8–10 hours per day, 5–6 days per week.
• Land area: About 1,500 m² (including raw material yard, pellet workshop, finished product warehouse, and office space).
• Workforce: 6–7 employees, including operators, a technician, forklift driver, and administrative support.
• Investment: Around USD 250,000, covering civil construction, equipment purchase, installation, and initial working capital.

This scale allows for flexible operation while ensuring that capital costs remain aligned with the expected production volume.

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Raw Materials

The wood straw pellet plant relies on locally sourced biomass residues:

• Straw: ~800 tons per year, primarily from wheat and corn cultivation.
• Wood residues: ~1,000 tons per year, sourced from sawmills and carpentry shops.
• Waste timber and pallets: ~500 tons per year, collected from regional logistics centers and small-scale manufacturers.

This feedstock mix guarantees a steady supply throughout the year. Before pelletization, the raw materials are carefully sorted to remove contaminants such as metals, plastics, and stones.

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Production Process

The straw and wood biomass pellet production line in Serbia applies a streamlined process to convert straw and wood residues into pellets:

1. Raw material collection and storage – Agricultural residues are baled and transported to the plant, while wood residues are delivered in bulk. Materials are stored in a covered yard to reduce moisture exposure.
2. Pre-shredding – Large bales and timber offcuts are shredded into smaller fractions suitable for further processing.
3. Drying – Moisture content is adjusted to 10–12% using a rotary drum dryer. This is essential for stable pelletizing and high pellet durability.
4. Grinding – A hammer mill reduces the material to a fine powder, ensuring uniform particle size for pellet pressing.
5. Pelletizing – The conditioned material is compressed into cylindrical pellets using a RICHI ring die biomass pellet mill. Temperature and pressure are carefully controlled to achieve strong and dense pellets.
6. Cooling – Fresh pellets are cooled to room temperature in a counterflow cooler, which stabilizes their structure.
7. Screening – Oversized pieces and fines are separated to maintain consistent pellet quality.
8. Packaging and storage – Finished pellets are packed in 15–25 kg bags for household customers, or in 1-ton jumbo bags for industrial and export buyers.

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Key Equipment

RICHI Machinery provided the main production line, which includes:

• Pre-shredder and hammer mill for raw material preparation.
• Rotary drum dryer with biomass furnace for moisture control.
• Ring die biomass wood pellet mill (250–350 kg/h per unit, configured to meet the required daily output).
• Counterflow pellet cooler.
• Vibrating screen and dust collection system.
• Semi-automatic packaging scale.

Auxiliary systems include a cyclone separator, magnetic separation device, and conveyors for material handling.

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Energy and Resource Consumption

With the designed capacity, the biomass pellet plant’s consumption is as follows:

• Electricity: ~120 kWh per ton of pellets, equivalent to 500–600 kWh per day.
• Thermal energy: Biomass furnace uses part of the rejected fines and low-grade residues as fuel, minimizing external energy needs.
• Water: Minimal use, mainly for dust suppression and staff facilities.

This resource-efficient design reduces operating costs and environmental impact.

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Environmental Measures

The straw and wood biomass pellet production line in Serbia project pays careful attention to environmental protection:

• Dust control: Cyclone collectors and bag filters capture airborne dust from grinding and pelletizing.
• Noise reduction: Equipment is housed in insulated workshops, and silencers are installed on fans.
• Waste utilization: Screened fines are recycled into the pelletizing process, while unsuitable wood residues are burned in the furnace.
• Air emissions: Combustion gases from the dryer are treated to meet local Serbian air quality standards.

These measures ensure compliance with both Serbian and EU environmental regulations.

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Workforce and Operation

The biomass straw wood pellet plant operates with a lean workforce of 6–7 employees. A single-shift regime is sufficient to meet the planned output. RICHI Machinery provided operator training to ensure proper handling of the pellet mill, dryer, and packaging equipment. Maintenance schedules are implemented to prolong equipment life.

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Prospects for Biomass Pellet Industry in Serbia

Serbia is increasingly turning toward renewable energy, with strong support from both government and EU programs. Biomass already represents more than 50% of the country’s renewable energy consumption, yet pelletization is still underdeveloped.

Future prospects include:

• Expanding domestic pellet demand for household heating.
• Export potential to Italy, Austria, and Slovenia, where pellet prices are higher.
• Government incentives for replacing coal stoves with pellet boilers.
• Integration into Serbia’s broader strategy for reducing carbon emissions and joining EU energy networks.

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Role of RICHI Machinery

RICHI Machinery played a central role in this project by:

• Providing a customized pellet line suited for mixed feedstock (straw and wood).
• Delivering energy-efficient equipment that minimizes operating costs.
• Offering professional guidance on plant layout, installation, and commissioning.
• Training local staff and providing after-sales service, ensuring smooth operation.

The client acknowledged that without RICHI’s expertise, setting up a technically stable and economically viable pellet line would have been far more challenging.

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Conclusion

The straw and wood biomass pellet production line in Serbia illustrates how small and medium-scale projects can transform local agricultural and wood residues into a sustainable energy resource. With modest investment, efficient equipment, and strong market demand, the facility demonstrates a replicable model for rural bioenergy development.

By combining resource efficiency, environmental protection, and commercial viability, the fuel pellet plant project not only benefits the investor but also contributes to Serbia’s long-term renewable energy goals. The partnership with RICHI Machinery ensured professional execution, making this project a benchmark for similar initiatives in the region.