Pellets in Europe: 56% of Consumers Choose Them for Their Lower Environmental Impact

Image Source: AIEL

In the realm of pellet consumption preferences and trends in Europe, a new survey conducted by ENplus® has provided significant insights into the factors driving European consumers' purchasing decisions in this sector.

Through interviews conducted in 21 countries, the study revealed that a significant portion of consumers choose pellets as a heating solution for their economic convenience (52%) and lower environmental impact (56%).

These preferences highlight the importance of price, quality, and sustainability in purchasing decisions.

80% of Consumers Purchase Pellets from Local Suppliers

The survey results highlighted that the cost of pellets and certifications that guarantee their quality are considered key elements by a wide margin of respondents: 67% find the price extremely relevant in their purchase evaluation.

Interestingly, only a small fraction of participants (3%) consider price to have no influence on their purchasing decision. Additionally, 80% of consumers prefer to buy pellets from local suppliers, valuing proximity and perhaps also supporting the local economy, although there is an increase in online purchases, which have doubled compared to a previous ENplus® survey.

Appreciation for the renewability of pellets has increased by 14% compared to two years ago, reflecting growing environmental awareness and a desire to contribute to decarbonization through the use of wood biomass. A quarter of consumers also mentioned the comfort and cozy atmosphere generated by pellet heating as motivating factors.

Despite the pellet market experiencing a slowdown due to the energy price shock in the 2022-2023 biennium, 93% of respondents expressed their intention to continue using pellets in the coming years, indicating a certain market stability. The normalization of prices could help reinvigorate interest in this type of heating.

Government Incentives Have Proven Significant in Promoting the Transition to Pellets

The survey also explored the impact of government incentives, which have proven significant in promoting the transition to pellets in those European countries where such measures are available. In Italy, for example, one can refer to the AIEL Guide to navigate the various incentive options, which underscores the importance of using certified pellets.

The analysis also considered the timing of purchases, revealing that about half of respondents tend to stock up at the beginning of the heating season (September-December), with a pronounced tendency in Italy to concentrate purchases in the pre-season period.

This year, however, the trend to stock up before the end of summer has extended to several European markets, with two-thirds of participants reporting having leftover supplies before the start of the heating season.