ANSWERS
TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions regarding HD pellets

Yes. Almost all HD pellet manufacturers are also certified in accordance with ENplus and/or DINplus. DINplus or ENplus quality standards are met, without exception. The HD pellet technology improves the pellet properties within the quality specifications in these standards.

The HD quality system is based upon quality criteria of existing certification programs. All HD pellet manufacturers have to be certified in accordance with the requirements of DINplus or ENplus-A1. In addition, stricter target values apply in the HD quality system, with abrasion values of <1.0%.

EN14968 defines this limit as a maximum of 2.5%. Pellets with abrasion values of significantly more than 1.5%, and particularly from the range of 2.0% may lead to problems in small-scale furnaces in practice.

The thermal value is approx. 17.5 MJ or 5.0 kWh per kilogram of wood pellets.

No – the superior HD quality is based solely on the production technology advantage of HD pellet technology. The use of additives in the injection process is neither intended nor required.

For an average weight by volume of 650 to 700 kg, the storage space requirement is roughly 1.5 cubic metres per ton.

Yes, because HD pellets have significantly fewer short pellets, fragments and dust. As a result, continuous good flow properties are all but guaranteed.

On this website, under the menu item “RETAILERS” you can see HD pellet manufacturers and retailers in a map view. If there are no suitable suppliers for you, simply ask your current supplier or retailer for HD quality wood pellets. Every certified retailer is supplied with HD pellets by HD manufacturers.

Since its inception in 2014, we have continuously developed and improved the HD technology. Temporarily, two different system variants were in use at our manufacturers.

To differentiate between them, we had introduced the improved HD+ quality in addition to the HD quality.

Although all HD manufacturers now only use the latest version of HD technology, both logo variants are still in use at present.

Wood pellets with a high target length ratio and the fewest possible short pellets and fragments burn most cleanly. HD pellets have a significantly higher proportion of pellets in the optimal length range. In bench tests by well-known scientific institutions, HD pellets have been shown to burn more cleanly and efficiently compared to conventional pellets, with reduced CO emissions.

The abbreviation “HD” stands for Helix Design. The HD system is based on the benefits of a helix-shaped cutting and guidance system when cutting the pellets to length and channelling them out.

There is a broad selection of different performance classes, types, models and burner systems for both pellet boilers and pellet furnaces. You can find an up-to-date list here.

Yes, without limitation. The HD system can guarantee that there are no over-length pellets. Thanks to the HD pellet technology, blockages resulting from over-length pellets in vacuum systems are a thing of the past.

No, the weight by volume is not affected by the HD pellet technology.

To convert oil to pellet use simply double the previous oil consumption. Your future approximate pellet consumption in kg is for example: Previous heating oil consumption: 2,000 litres = expected pellet requirement: 4,000 kg.

An average storage space height of around 2 metres results in a storage density of roughly 1 t / sqm. Ideally you are able to store 1.5 times your annual requirement. For an annual requirement of 4 t, you would therefore need around 6 sqm of storage space.

Today, all HD manufacturers have only one version of HD technology.

The latest and best in each case.

This means that HD quality no longer differs from HD+ quality.

Yes. Almost all HD pellet manufacturers are also certified in accordance with ENplus and/or DINplus. DINplus or ENplus quality standards are met, without exception. The HD pellet technology improves the pellet properties within the quality specifications in these standards.

The HD quality system is based upon quality criteria of existing certification programs. All HD pellet manufacturers have to be certified in accordance with the requirements of DINplus or ENplus-A1. In addition, stricter target values apply in the HD quality system, with abrasion values of <1.0%.

EN14968 defines this limit as a maximum of 2.5%. Pellets with abrasion values of significantly more than 1.5%, and particularly from the range of 2.0% may lead to problems in small-scale furnaces in practice.

The thermal value is approx. 17.5 MJ or 5.0 kWh per kilogram of wood pellets.

No – the superior HD quality is based solely on the production technology advantage of HD pellet technology. The use of additives in the injection process is neither intended nor required.

For an average weight by volume of 650 to 700 kg, the storage space requirement is roughly 1.5 cubic metres per ton.

Yes, because HD pellets have significantly fewer short pellets, fragments and dust. As a result, continuous good flow properties are all but guaranteed.

On this website, under the menu item “RETAILERS” you can see HD pellet manufacturers and retailers in a map view. If there are no suitable suppliers for you, simply ask your current supplier or retailer for HD quality wood pellets. Every certified retailer is supplied with HD pellets by HD manufacturers.

Since its inception in 2014, we have continuously developed and improved the HD technology. Temporarily, two different system variants were in use at our manufacturers.

To differentiate between them, we had introduced the improved HD+ quality in addition to the HD quality.

Although all HD manufacturers now only use the latest version of HD technology, both logo variants are still in use at present.

Wood pellets with a high target length ratio and the fewest possible short pellets and fragments burn most cleanly. HD pellets have a significantly higher proportion of pellets in the optimal length range. In bench tests by well-known scientific institutions, HD pellets have been shown to burn more cleanly and efficiently compared to conventional pellets, with reduced CO emissions.

The abbreviation “HD” stands for Helix Design. The HD system is based on the benefits of a helix-shaped cutting and guidance system when cutting the pellets to length and channelling them out.

There is a broad selection of different performance classes, types, models and burner systems for both pellet boilers and pellet furnaces. You can find an up-to-date list here.

Yes, without limitation. The HD system can guarantee that there are no over-length pellets. Thanks to the HD pellet technology, blockages resulting from over-length pellets in vacuum systems are a thing of the past.

No, the weight by volume is not affected by the HD pellet technology.

To convert oil to pellet use simply double the previous oil consumption. Your future approximate pellet consumption in kg is for example: Previous heating oil consumption: 2,000 litres = expected pellet requirement: 4,000 kg.

An average storage space height of around 2 metres results in a storage density of roughly 1 t / sqm. Ideally you are able to store 1.5 times your annual requirement. For an annual requirement of 4 t, you would therefore need around 6 sqm of storage space.

Today, all HD manufacturers have only one version of HD technology.

The latest and best in each case.

This means that HD quality no longer differs from HD+ quality.

Questions regarding HD technology

No, because certification in accordance with one of the established standards is mandatory for all HD pellet manufacturers. The HD quality guidelines build upon the existing standards and augment them for the specific product.

There are strict requirements for length distribution of the pellets which can only be achieved by the HD pellet technology. The applicable European standard and the ENplus and DINplus standards only define the maximal permissible pellet length.

The mechanical strength of the pellets must be greater than 98.7% in regular operation in accordance with the HD quality guideline. Since it is a natural material, intermittent deviations up to a maximum value of 98.5% are permissible. For regular ENplus A1 pellets, a limit value of 98.0% applies.

In principle, the HD system can be used for any type of round die. The following press types are being/have been successfully converted:

  • CPM 7930-4
  • CPM 7932-5
  • Salmatec Maxima 840
  • Salmatec Maxima 700
  • Andritz PM30
  • Andritz BioMax
  • Bühler RWPR 900
  • Münch RPM 520/80

It differs depending on the type of press and varies from approx. one hour to one working day per press.

No, but license agreements for use of the HD technology and the “HD” registered trademark are an option.

No, it is a tool change and therefore not a significant change within the meaning of the Machinery Directive 2006/42 EC. This has also been confirmed by a DEKRA report.

With the HD technology the proportion of pellets in the ideal length range is significantly increased. The system guarantees that there are no over-length pellets. Alongside marketing and combustion-related benefits, there are also benefits for the manufacturers:

  • Less damage to the surfaces of the HD pellets and fewer pieces of pellets per ton
  • Lower proportion of end surfaces and reduced generation of fine particles upon each manipulation of pellets
  • Increase in efficiency of the pressing technology thanks to a careful process for cutting to length and therefore lower proportion of material from the screening technology and aspiration for multiple processing
  • Guarantee of no over-length pellets without additional shredding technology
  • Millimeter-precise adjustment of the pellet length
  • Very consistent pellet bulk weight

Alongside the product-specific benefits, HD quality pellets are also more optically appealing then conventional pellets.

No, because certification in accordance with one of the established standards is mandatory for all HD pellet manufacturers. The HD quality guidelines build upon the existing standards and augment them for the specific product.

There are strict requirements for length distribution of the pellets which can only be achieved by the HD pellet technology. The applicable European standard and the ENplus and DINplus standards only define the maximal permissible pellet length.

The mechanical strength of the pellets must be greater than 98.7% in regular operation in accordance with the HD quality guideline. Since it is a natural material, intermittent deviations up to a maximum value of 98.5% are permissible. For regular ENplus A1 pellets, a limit value of 98.0% applies.

In principle, the HD system can be used for any type of round die. The following press types are being/have been successfully converted:

  • CPM 7930-4
  • CPM 7932-5
  • Salmatec Maxima 840
  • Salmatec Maxima 700
  • Andritz PM30
  • Andritz BioMax
  • Bühler RWPR 900
  • Münch RPM 520/80

It differs depending on the type of press and varies from approx. one hour to one working day per press.

No, but license agreements for use of the HD technology and the “HD” registered trademark are an option.

No, it is a tool change and therefore not a significant change within the meaning of the Machinery Directive 2006/42 EC. This has also been confirmed by a DEKRA report.

With the HD technology the proportion of pellets in the ideal length range is significantly increased. The system guarantees that there are no over-length pellets. Alongside marketing and combustion-related benefits, there are also benefits for the manufacturers:

  • Less damage to the surfaces of the HD pellets and fewer pieces of pellets per ton
  • Lower proportion of end surfaces and reduced generation of fine particles upon each manipulation of pellets
  • Increase in efficiency of the pressing technology thanks to a careful process for cutting to length and therefore lower proportion of material from the screening technology and aspiration for multiple processing
  • Guarantee of no over-length pellets without additional shredding technology
  • Millimeter-precise adjustment of the pellet length
  • Very consistent pellet bulk weight

Alongside the product-specific benefits, HD quality pellets are also more optically appealing then conventional pellets.

Retailers

Where can I buy HD pellets?

Simply enter your ZIP Code and start the search!