Certification of wood pellets as an important component of its distribution

Abstract

Introduction. The article discloses the content of certification of wood pellets as a necessary component of its distribution through export. The comparative characteristic of wood pellets' technical parameters according to various European certification systems (DIN plus, EN plus A1, EN plus A2, EN-B) is presented. The scheme of the process chain for creating the value of biofuels with the distinction of main processes (production, sales and end energy use) is substantiated. The tendencies of price changes on wood pellets during 2011-2017 are analysed. The range of the main consumers of pellets in Ukraine is outlined. As a result of the analysis, proposals have been provided for adjusting the strategy of management of wood pellet production in order to standardize products and increase the sales efficiency on this basis.

Purpose. The article aims to justify the need for certification of wood pellets, which are manufactured by domestic enterprises on the basis of consumer demand analysis and trends in the development of the European market for wood pellets.

Method. The article uses standard methods of scientific research, such as systematization, processing, data summation, definition of generalized synthetic indices, presentation of the obtained results in the form of statistical tables, graphs and figures. The methodology of the Ukrainian Pellet Union is used to create a profitability algorithm based on certification.

Results. The conclusions, which have been  made in the article, prove that some characteristic features influence the distribution process of the wood pellets by enterprises. It has been investigated how product certification “adjusts” an effective system of sales at the enterprise. The results and recommendations, which have been described in the article, can be used by producers of wood pellets with completed cycle of value creation.