The Use of Forestry and Agricultural Biomass in the Production of Pellets

Abstract The use of forestry and agricultural biomass for pellet production represents a significant opportunity to strengthen a sustainable economy characterized by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and more efficient protection of the environment. The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of the current state of research on the use of forestry and agricultural biomass for pellets production, fostering awareness of their potential for energy production. In the development of the work, various research stages and techniques were used. These included the analysis of international trade data wood pellets, literature review of research dynamics on agricultural biomass pellet production from last decade, identification of articles from prestigious journals to highlight key trends and concerns in research, analysis of research concentration areas, and investigation and analysis of collaboration networks among researchers and institutions. These methodological approaches have contributed to the creation of a comprehensive and updated work, providing a deeper and clearer understanding of the researched topic. The European Union represents a major force in the global consumption of wood pellets, with demand for this product steadily increasing. Additionally, Romania has significant exports of wood pellets to other European countries, indicating considerable potential for the development of the pellet industry in the country. Furthermore, the literature emphasizes the importance of non-wood biomass, such as agricultural residues, as a crucial source for pellet production. The literature review reveals an increasing focus on biomass pellets in recent years, with research concentrating on various domains such as biotechnology, energy fuels, and sustainable green technology.