Lignetics

Lignetics Inc. is proud to unveil two new videos, which can be seen on our web site at http://www.Lignetics.com or on YouTube.
 
The first video details the manufacturing process we use to make premium wood pellets and Pres-to-Logs® (presto logs) fire logs for home heating. In just over two minutes, you’ll see how we take waste sawdust and turn it into the highest quality wood fuel pellets available. From the conveyor belt to the tumble dryer and everything in between, we outline our method of manufacturing the best value and quality wood pellets available, using 100% environmentally friendly methods.
 
Our next presentation introduces you to Lignetics, Inc. in just a minute and a half. By sharing just a bit about our company’s history, it becomes clear that Lignetics, Inc. today has come a long way and is determined to continue this heritage of excellence. See how we became the premier pellet manufacturer in North America while remaining true to our dedication to high quality products and matchless customer service

With the latest catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the true cost of fossil fuel has to come to mind. Such events have to be considered when selecting a home heating fuel source that is cost effective, efficient, non-polluting and renewable.

When does fossil fuel become too expensive and the option of an alternative renewable, clean-burning heating source have to be considered. The primary determining factor will more than likely remain economic. But in light of the current environmental and economic catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, factors such as the safety of those employed to produce the fuel source and the potential for environmental and economic impact must be weighed. Entire industries are in jeopardy in the gulf region due to the ongoing oil spill with no short-term resolution in site. It is going to take years for this region to recover.

Is it beneficial - overall - to rely on a fuel source that has the potential to destroy portions of the environment that will effect the long-term economy of entire regions? Especially when there are alternative domestic fuels that are safer, cleaner, and renewable?

In terms of heating fuel there is a great opportunity in biomass fuels. How effective can biomass fuels be? Take Sweden for example. In 2005, 39.8% of all the energy consumed in Sweden came from renewable sources - the EU average is 6%. Only 32% of their energy came from oil - down from 77% in 1970. The overall goal for Sweden is to be completely free from oil in 2020.

The existence of biomass fuels such as wood pellets combined with highly efficient pellet burning stoves offers us all a way of burning a very clean, lower cost and efficient fuel with little environmental impact. Wood pellet fuel is renewable, carbon neutral and is produced from wood waste from lumber mills which translates into a positive impact on the environment.

Environmentally friendly, domestically produced (creating jobs) and renewable? Why aren't we trying to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and move towards a biomass heating program here in the United States? We should be leading the world in this technology - not watching other countries move ahead of us.

The first residential wood pellet burning appliance was introduced to the market in Reno, Nevada in 1984. Our company was one of the first to package wood pellet fuel for home use that year - we sold 200 tons! Last year, 26 years later, over 2,000,000 tons were consumed by an estimated 1,000,000 appliances operating today. Most all of that wood pellet fuel burned was labeled “Premium Grade”. So who came up with the standards and why?

The year after the introduction of the pellet appliance, a group of about 7 fuel and appliance manufacturers got together to determine what we all could live with, in terms of raw material availability, quality of raw material and compatibility of that material to stove function. What came out of that meeting was a fuel specification criteria that has served our industry (with some minor modifications) for the last 25 years. That specification was and is today for “Premium Grade Wood Pellet Fuel”:
    •    Ash content: 0.5% (later raised to 1%) for all Premium Grade Wood Pellet Fuel
    •    Diameter of pellet: ¼” this was due to stove function and less stress on feed mechanisms
    •    Length: Nominal length less than <1-1/2”> same reasons as above
    •    BTU: (Heat content) Minimum 8,000 BTU/LB
    •    Bulk Density: (Measure of how dense the pellet is) Set at 40lb./cubic/ft. Min
    •    Fines: Maximum set at 0.2% (weight of fines sifted out of a 40lb. bag)
    •    Moisture: Maximum moisture content not to exceed 8%
    •    Sodium Chloride: Not to exceed 300ppm (This was added some years later)

So what does this mean to you, the consumer? The grade of fuel or the quality of fuel must be matched up to your stove manufacturers’ recommendations for your appliance to operate properly and meet your expectations of how often you are willing to clean out your stove. Putting in a lower grade of wood pellet fuel than is recommended by your manufacturer can cause operational issues, more frequent cleaning, potentially expensive repair costs or your stove may simply not operate at all. Most wood pellet appliance manufacturers recommend using a “Premium Grade Wood Pellet Fuel.”  The reasons are obvious. Your stove will perform better, you will not have the operational headaches associated with inferior wood pellet fuel and you will be happier, even though lower grade fuel might have been initially cheaper.

The PFI (Pellet Fuel Institute) our trade association adopted these standards 25 years ago in an effort to protect you, the consumer, from buying a product that is not compatible with your appliance and your expectations. The wood pellet manufacturers have been self policing the quality of their product for the last 25 years, and the system worked pretty well for the most part for a couple of reasons. First, our industry was relative small. Word got around quickly if a manufacturer made a bad product and no one wanted a bad reputation. Secondly, the market place always determines whose product is good or not, so that fear kept everyone honest. If the bag said “Premium Wood Pellet Fuel” on it, good chance it was.

However, our industry has undergone unprecedented growth the last few years which has increased the number of wood pellet fuel manufacturers by three fold compared to just a few years ago. For you, the consumer, this is a good thing for many reasons; more wood pellet fuel available, no shortages, potential savings from less freight, etc.

However, the old “Honor” system that has served our industry the past 25 years on maintaining wood pellet fuel quality is gone.  Quality, in some cases has been replaced by price point, and consumer confidence has suffered as a result.  Some new manufacturers are using raw material contaminated with foreign substances that are potentially harmful to stove operation and produce emissions that could exceed EPA (Environmental Protection Agency ) standards, as well as PFI fuel standards. All the while the packaging indicates “Premium Grade Wood Pellet Fuel.”  You as a consumer have a right to expect the product to be as advertised.

All this has not gone unnoticed. The Federal EPA is proposing new third party independent testing of all wood pellet fuel to ensure that the quality of the fuel in the bag is as advertised. Until these new procedures and third party testing are in place, the best way to protect yourself from falsely advertised substandard fuel is to buy from a reputable dealer who stands behind their product, or from a trusted manufacturer that has been around for a while. Often times if a wood pellet fuel is substantially cheaper than what you’ve been using, it may not have the quality of product that you’ve come to expect.

Kenneth R. Tucker
President & CEO
Lignetics,Inc

In December, Lignetics celebrated the Official Grand Opening of its newest manufacturing plant in Kenbridge, Virginia, with many State and Local officials in attendance.
 
The new plant will have about thirty local employees and utilize the latest state-of-the-art equipment to produce the highest quality premium wood fuel pellets utilizing local sawmill residuals. Lignetics’ trained operators use computer controlled equipment and robotic technology in conjunction with the most efficient manufacturing practices to produce our premium wood pellets. Efficiency, quality control, and maximization of resources are key components of both the East and West coast locations.
 
With over 125,000 square feet of storage under roof, this will ensure adequate supplies during the heating season. The facility is located in close proximity to mid-Atlantic and Northeastern markets to ensure availability and reduce transportation costs.
 
Capable of producing 90,000 tons of wood pellet fuel per year, the environmentally friendly Kenbridge plant is dedicated to green production values. The forty-five acre site is a model of modern manufacturing while being mindful of producing a carbon-neutral product.
 
Lignetics maintains plants on both the East and West coasts, which helps reduce expensive transportation costs and keeps a readily available and consistent supply of wood pellets and Pres-to-logs® fire logs available at a lower cost. By locating their plants near local markets, Lignetics hopes to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their commitment to the environment.

Welcome to Lignetics' blog where we will be posting current information about the wood pellet, fire log, and fire starter industry. We welcome your comments and additions as we develop what we hope will be an up-to-date information center on all developments concerning wood pellets and fire logs.