2T/H Wood Chip Pellet Production Line in Romania

Against the backdrop, in October 2023, an experienced Romanian entrepreneur from Bihor County (western Romania) reached out to RICHI Machinery. His inquiry was detailed and professional, reflecting both technical awareness and business foresight:

“Please send us an offer for a complete line for 1 t/h and another offer for 2 t/h wood pellet production line, from soft and hard wood chips (wood chips size is between 30 - 50 mm), transport to our site and commissioning included. The offer has to contain the main characteristics of the component machines as well as the price per component and the delivery term. Our factory is located in the west side of Romania, in Bihor county.”

This request made it clear that the customer had already done extensive research and wanted two options to compare: a smaller-scale 1 t/h line and a larger 2 t/h line. After weeks of technical discussions and financial evaluations, the client decided on the 2 t/h fully automatic continuous line, with the highest configuration level in its category.

The total investment in equipment amounted to USD 340,210, making this project stand out not only in Romania but also in RICHI's European pellet line portfolio as one of the most advanced 2t/h cases. The contract was officially signed on December 29, 2023.

Raw Materials for Pellet Production in Romania

Romania has a diverse forestry and wood processing industry, generating a steady supply of raw materials. For this particular project, the customer's feedstock included:

• Softwood chips (spruce, fir, pine).
• Hardwood chips (beech, oak, hornbeam).
• Mixed sawmill residues (offcuts, trimmings, bark blends).

The wood chips were typically 30–50 mm in size, sourced from sawmills in Bihor county and nearby regions. This size posed specific challenges for pre-processing and required high-performance crushing and drying equipment.

Process Flow and Technology of the 2t/h Pellet Line

This wood chip pellet production line in Romania was designed as a continuous, fully automated process, suitable for handling mixed hardwood and softwood raw materials under Romanian operating conditions. The system integrates a hot air furnace and wood chip burner, ensuring efficient drying and energy self-sufficiency.

Step 1: Raw Material Reception and Screening

Wood chips are delivered from trucks and stored in an outdoor yard. A screening system ensures that oversized contaminants, stones, or dust are removed before processing.

Step 2: Crushing

Since the input wood chips were 30–50 mm, a heavy-duty wood chip crusher reduced them to 5–8 mm particles, suitable for drying and pelletizing.

Step 3: Drying with Hot Air Furnace & Wood Chip Burner

The heart of this project is the hot air furnace paired with a wood chip burner. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, the client uses waste wood chips and bark to generate hot air for the rotary drum dryer. This not only reduces operational costs but also makes the process more sustainable.

Moisture is reduced from 45–50% down to 10–12%.

Energy self-sufficiency is achieved since waste biomass is burned directly.

Step 4: Fine Grinding

The dried wood chips are ground into uniform powder (below 5 mm) using high-efficiency hammer mills.

Step 5: Pelletizing

A RICHI ring die wood pellet mill (2t/h capacity) compresses the powder into dense 6–8 mm pellets. Advanced die and roller designs ensure durability even with hardwood feedstock.

Step 6: Cooling and Screening

Fresh pellets exit the press at ~90°C and are cooled in a counterflow pellet cooler to around room temperature. Vibrating screens separate dust and broken pellets.

Step 7: Packaging and Storage

The finished pellets are packed in 15–20 kg bags for local retail customers and 1-ton jumbo bags for export or industrial clients.

Main Equipment Supplied

The client’s investment of USD 340,210 included a full set of wood pellet manufacturing equipment, with high-end specifications rarely seen in 2t/h wood biomass pellet production lines:

1. Raw material screening and conveying systems.
2. Heavy-duty wood chip crusher.
3. Rotary drum dryer with hot air furnace.
4. Wood chip burner (biomass fuelled).
5. High-efficiency wood hammer mills with cyclone dust collection.
6. Ring die pellet mill (2 t/h).
7. Counterflow pellet cooler.
8. Vibrating pellet screener.
9. Fully automated bagging machine.
10. Electrical control system with PLC and SCADA integration.

The addition of automation and energy-efficient drying technology elevated the cost of this wood chip pellet production line in Romania above average, but also ensured unmatched operational efficiency.

Why This Project Stands Out

Compared to many 2t/h wood chips pellet lines RICHI has delivered worldwide, this Romanian biomass pellet project had unique highlights:

• Highest investment per capacity: At USD 340,210, it is one of the most expensive 2t/h lines due to advanced configurations.
• Energy self-sufficiency: The hot air furnace and wood chip burner eliminate dependence on natural gas or electricity for drying.
• Full automation: Operators can monitor the entire line from a central control room.
• Mixed feedstock design: Capable of handling both softwood and dense hardwood.
• European market compliance: Pellet quality matches ENplus A1 standards, required for Romanian and EU pellet markets.

Market Prospects in Romania

Romania’s pellet market is rapidly expanding due to several key factors:

• EU Renewable Energy Directives: Romania must increase its share of renewable energy, boosting demand for biomass pellets.
• Growing household demand: In rural areas, wood pellets are replacing firewood and coal for cleaner heating.
• Export opportunities: Neighboring countries (Italy, Austria, Hungary) are large pellet importers.
• Rising fossil fuel prices: Pellet heating has become cost-competitive, driving adoption.

For this client, the Bihor location provides an advantage: proximity to raw materials and access to logistics routes for exports to Central and Western Europe.

Raw Material Mix for the Project

To ensure pellet quality and production stability, the client plans the following feedstock mix:

• 50% Softwood chips (provides better binding and calorific value).
• 30% Hardwood chips (adds density and durability).
• 20% Mixed sawmill residues (cost-effective and sustainable).

This flexible formula adapts to seasonal variations while ensuring ENplus compliance.

Financial Outlook

With a 2t/h capacity, the line can produce around 14,000–15,000 tons of pellets annually.

• Production cost: ~USD 65/ton (thanks to self-sufficient drying).
• Market selling price: USD 130–180/ton (domestic & export).
• Annual revenue potential: USD 2–2.7 million.
• Expected payback period: 2–3 years, depending on export volume.

RICHI's Services in this Project

RICHI Machinery not only supplied equipment but also offered end-to-end solutions:

• Detailed technical proposal with side-by-side options (1t/h vs 2t/h).
• Customized plant layout for Bihor county site.
• Transport and on-site commissioning included.
• Operator training in both Romania and China.
• After-sales support with European spare parts logistics.

Customer Evaluation

After contract signing, the Romanian client shared his feedback:

“We contacted several suppliers in Europe and Asia, but RICHI was the only one that provided such detailed technical and financial comparisons. At first, we were considering 1 ton per hour, but their engineering team convinced us to go for 2 tons, which was the right decision for our resources. The line they designed is not just a biomass pellet mill—it is a complete automated factory. We especially appreciate the hot air furnace and wood chip burner, which make us independent from external fuels. The investment is higher than average, but the quality and efficiency justify every dollar. We are confident that this will be one of the best pellet plants in Romania.”

Conclusion

The 2t/h wood chip pellet production line in Romania demonstrates how RICHI Machinery combines advanced engineering with local resource realities to deliver highly efficient, future-proof biomass projects.

By choosing a fully automated system with hot air furnace and wood chip burner, the client not only optimized operational costs but also ensured compliance with EU standards and long-term profitability.

For entrepreneurs in Romania and across Europe looking to transform wood residues into high-quality pellets, this case proves one thing clearly: with RICHI, even a mid-scale line can achieve industrial-grade efficiency and market competitiveness.

Interested in building a wood chips pellet line in Europe? Contact RICHI today for tailored solutions that fit your raw materials, budget, and long-term vision.