Statistics compiled by the Swedish pellet industry indicate that pellet sales reached record levels in 2006. Pellet consumption for heating detached houses increased by almost 50 %. That means that owners of such houses now consume more pellets than industry.
The year 2006 was a breakthrough for pellet production. Mr Tomas Isaksson from "Pelletsindustrins Riksförbund" (The Swedish Pellet Manufacturers' Federation) says that the increased use of pellets as fuel is very positive for both the environment and for the economy of individual households.
In 2006 total pellet supply to the Swedish market increased by 14 %. Middle size consumers, i.e. boilers with an effect between 25 kW and 2 mW and owners of detached houses, increased their consumption most of all. The former category showed and increase of 31 % and the latter an increase of 46 %.
Mr Isaksson says that despite the warm autumn pellet consumption for heating detached houses has now surpassed industrial use. This is a clear indication that many owners of detached houses are now using pellets as their primary fuel.