Environmental Analysis Wood Pellet vs Coal:
Wood Pellet vs Coal:
A Complete Comparison
Coal is cheaper per kilocalorie. But the full picture — ash handling, emissions compliance, and carbon tax risk — tells a different story for industrial operations.
| Parameter | Coal | Wood Pellet |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Source | Fossil — millions of years underground | Biomass — recent organic matter |
| CO₂ Lifecycle | ~820 g CO₂/kWh | ~30–50 g CO₂/kWh (net) |
| Ash Content | 10–20% | ≤2% |
| Sulfur Content | 0.3–3% | ≤0.05% |
| SOx Emissions | High | Very low |
| Calorific Value | 5,000–7,000 kcal/kg | 4,200–4,800 kcal/kg |
| Price per ton | ~$80–130 | ~$125–145 |
| Cost per 1M kcal | ~$12–26 | ~$28–32 |
| Renewable | No | Yes |
| Carbon Tax Risk | High — growing globally | Low / exempt in many jurisdictions |
| ESG Credential | None | Renewable biomass |
| Boiler Cleaning | Frequent (high ash) | Less frequent (≤2% ash) |
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