Biomass Briquette Market By Product Type (Agricultural Residue Briquettes, Sawdust Briquettes, Mixed Feed Briquettes); By Application (Industrial Boilers, Power Generation, Residential Heating, Commercial & Institutional); By End User (Industries, Utilities, Commercial/Institutions, Households); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Biomass Briquette Market will witness a robust CAGR of 11.2% , valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 , expected to appreciate and reach USD 2.3 billion by 2030 , confirms Strategic Market Research .

 

Biomass briquettes are solid fuels made from agricultural residues, forestry by-products, and organic waste compressed into uniform blocks. They have become a cost-effective and cleaner substitute for coal and wood in industrial boilers, power generation, and household heating. Between 2024 and 2030, this market is strategically significant as countries look for alternatives that align with their carbon reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement.

 

The drivers for this shift are clear. Governments across Asia and Europe are tightening restrictions on coal use in small and medium industries. Policies promoting renewable fuels — such as India’s “National Bio-Energy Mission” and Europe’s Green Deal — have pushed briquette adoption further. At the same time, industries are seeking ways to reduce fuel costs while meeting ESG compliance targets, and biomass briquettes provide an affordable pathway.

 

Technology is also playing its part. Automated briquetting presses, densification systems with higher throughput, and moisture-control techniques are improving briquette durability and calorific value. Combined with digital tracking for supply chain traceability, these innovations are making briquettes more attractive for large-scale buyers.

 

From a stakeholder perspective, the map is widening. Small-scale farmers and cooperatives are converting crop residues into commercial-grade briquettes. Industrial users, especially in cement, textile, and food processing, are replacing coal with biomass to avoid penalties and enhance brand image. Public agencies and energy regulators are backing local briquette producers with subsidies and tax exemptions. Meanwhile, private investors are increasingly treating biomass briquettes as part of the “clean fuels portfolio,” alongside biogas and pellets.

 

In truth, biomass briquettes are not new. What has changed is their strategic positioning. They are no longer viewed as a low-scale rural energy solution but as a credible replacement fuel for industrial and semi-urban markets. That makes this period, 2024–2030, particularly critical for scaling production capacity, modernizing briquetting infrastructure, and ensuring supply chain reliability.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The biomass briquette market spans several segments that reflect the diversity of raw material sources, applications, and adoption geographies. Each dimension carries its own growth dynamics, shaped by policy support, fuel pricing, and industrial demand.

By Product Type
Biomass briquettes are typically categorized based on the raw material used. Common varieties include those derived from agricultural residues such as rice husk, groundnut shells, sugarcane bagasse, and sawdust from wood processing. Agricultural residue briquettes dominate the market in 2024, accounting for nearly 42% of total share, owing to abundant feedstock availability in Asia-Pacific. Sawdust-based briquettes, however, are projected to grow fastest, supported by rising demand in European heating markets where consistent calorific value and uniform density are prioritized.
 

By Application
The major applications include industrial boilers, residential heating, power generation, and others such as community cooking and institutional energy supply. Industrial boilers are the largest application segment in 2024, as small and medium-scale industries across cement, textile, and food processing sectors switch from coal to comply with emission standards. Power generation is emerging as a high-growth sub-segment, with briquettes being co-fired in thermal power plants across India and Eastern Europe.
 

By End User
End users range from manufacturing industries to households, commercial establishments, and utility-scale power producers. Industries are the key revenue contributors, especially where thermal energy demand is high. Residential adoption is stronger in rural and semi-urban areas, often supported by government incentives to replace traditional firewood and reduce indoor air pollution. Utilities represent a strategic but still small segment, expected to accelerate as more countries allow biomass co-firing under renewable energy credit systems.
 

By Region
The market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa (LAMEA). Asia Pacific leads in both production and consumption due to agricultural residue availability and strong policy backing. Europe follows, with growing household and district heating demand. North America is still niche, largely dependent on small commercial buyers, but shows promise as states integrate biomass into decarbonization plans. LAMEA is at an early stage, with localized projects in Africa and Brazil beginning to scale up.
 

Forecast Scope
The forecast from 2024 to 2030 highlights a market expansion from USD 1.2 billion to USD 2.3 billion. Agricultural residue briquettes will maintain their lead, but sawdust-based and mixed-feed briquettes are expected to capture more industrial demand. Power generation, while smaller in base value, will likely be the fastest-growing application due to policy-driven incentives. Regionally, Asia Pacific remains the anchor of supply and demand, but Europe will set benchmarks in quality standards and certification.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The biomass briquette market is evolving from a largely informal, small-scale activity into a more structured and technology-driven segment of the renewable energy sector. Between 2024 and 2030, a number of innovation trends and structural shifts are shaping this trajectory.

One key trend is the rapid professionalization of briquetting technology. Modern hydraulic and screw press machines now deliver higher throughput, greater compaction, and improved durability of briquettes. This has addressed one of the historic challenges — poor density and inconsistent combustion performance. With automation, producers can now standardize briquette size, moisture level, and calorific value, making them acceptable for large industrial buyers.
 

A second trend lies in digital integration. Producers are increasingly adopting IoT-based monitoring systems to track feedstock input, moisture content, and machine efficiency. These tools not only improve quality but also provide supply chain traceability, which is becoming a prerequisite for industrial clients concerned with ESG reporting. Blockchain pilots are even being explored to validate the origin of feedstock, particularly in European markets where sustainability certifications carry weight.
 

Policy-driven innovation is also playing a central role. Subsidy programs for briquette manufacturing units, carbon credit trading schemes, and co-firing mandates in thermal power plants are accelerating R&D investment. Governments in Asia and Africa are funding low-cost briquetting machines tailored for small farmers, while Europe is prioritizing certification systems for quality and emissions compliance.
 

Another major development is the blending of biomass briquettes with other renewable fuels. Hybrid briquettes, mixing crop residues with bioplastics or biochar, are gaining interest for higher energy density and reduced ash content. These products, though still in pilot phases, may redefine performance benchmarks for industries seeking closer coal equivalence.
 

Partnerships are increasing as well. Equipment manufacturers are collaborating with farmer cooperatives and rural entrepreneurs to set up decentralized production hubs. At the industrial level, cement and textile companies are entering long-term purchase agreements with briquette suppliers, ensuring steady demand and encouraging production scaling.
 

From a sustainability perspective, innovation is focused on waste valorization . Instead of burning or discarding crop residues, farmers can convert them into a sellable energy product. This reduces open-field burning, which is a significant source of air pollution in regions like India and Sub-Saharan Africa.
 

To be honest, the innovation landscape is still uneven. While Europe and parts of Asia are embracing high-tech briquetting lines and certified products, many developing countries rely on small, semi-mechanized units. Yet the direction is clear — the next six years will see more standardized, digitally traceable, and performance-enhanced briquettes, shifting the market from a supplemental energy option to a recognized renewable fuel category.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The biomass briquette market is highly fragmented, with a mix of local producers, regional cooperatives, and a few international players scaling operations. Unlike fossil fuel markets dominated by multinational corporations, briquette production is still relatively decentralized. That said, several companies and organizations are emerging as benchmarks in technology, capacity, and partnerships.

Indian and Southeast Asian companies currently dominate production volumes. Firms like Ecostan , Real Tech Engineering , and Radhe Industrial Corporation are known for their robust briquetting machinery and turnkey production lines. Their strategy revolves around supplying both equipment and technical support, allowing small and medium enterprises to set up localized briquette plants. This equipment-driven model has helped them build a strong footprint in Asia and parts of Africa.
 

In Europe, companies such as VUTHISA and Jay Khodiyar Europe are pushing high-quality briquettes for heating applications, with strict adherence to sustainability certifications. These players focus on product differentiation through higher calorific value and low-ash briquettes, making them suitable for household heating systems and district heating projects. Partnerships with local municipalities are a key strategy, ensuring consistent demand during winter seasons.
 

African markets are seeing the rise of cooperatives and NGOs-backed enterprises. Organizations like Sustainable Green Fuel Enterprise (Cambodia) and various community-driven projects in Kenya and Uganda are demonstrating how briquettes can replace charcoal in urban households. Their emphasis lies in affordability and local job creation, making them influential even without large-scale industrial contracts.
 

North America is still a niche market, but startups are exploring briquettes from sawmill dust and forestry residues. Companies here are leveraging sustainability branding and targeting universities, corporate campuses, and eco-conscious commercial facilities as early adopters.
 

Benchmarking across regions reveals a few clear patterns. Asian companies excel in scale and cost competitiveness, European firms lead in certification and quality, while African enterprises showcase innovation in low-cost models that prioritize social impact. Globally, the differentiator is no longer just price — it’s about consistent quality, certification, and the ability to integrate into industrial energy supply chains.
 

The competitive intensity is expected to rise as coal bans tighten and renewable fuel subsidies expand. To stay ahead, producers are investing in automation, forming regional supply clusters, and aligning with industrial buyers through long-term agreements. Those who succeed will be the ones balancing scale with sustainability, offering a product that meets not only energy needs but also policy and compliance expectations.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The biomass briquette market shows very different growth dynamics depending on the region, shaped by agricultural practices, policy frameworks, and energy infrastructure. Between 2024 and 2030, the adoption outlook reflects both mature demand centers and emerging opportunities.

North America
Adoption in North America remains modest but growing steadily. The U.S. and Canada are primarily using briquettes in niche industrial and commercial heating applications. Regulatory incentives tied to carbon reduction goals are creating space for biomass as a coal alternative, particularly in smaller industrial boilers and campus heating projects. That said, high labor and feedstock costs limit competitiveness compared to natural gas. The long-term outlook depends on state-level renewable energy mandates and carbon credit markets.

 

Europe
Europe is one of the most advanced markets in terms of standardization and quality benchmarks. The region’s strong demand for household and district heating, combined with the EU’s Green Deal targets, is fueling steady uptake. Northern and Eastern Europe, in particular, rely on briquettes for residential heating due to affordability and ease of storage. Countries such as Germany, Poland, and Sweden are enforcing strict certification standards, ensuring briquettes meet sustainability and emission requirements. Europe also acts as a hub for innovation in briquette blending, with hybrid products gaining traction in pilot projects.

 

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is both the production and consumption powerhouse. India dominates due to abundant agricultural residues and strong government support through subsidies and renewable energy mandates. China is also scaling up, particularly in industrial boilers for cement and textile sectors, where coal restrictions are tightening. Southeast Asia, with countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, is seeing a mix of small-scale rural projects and growing export potential. Overall, Asia Pacific is expected to remain the largest contributor to global market volume, with industrial adoption leading the charge.
 

Latin America , Middle East , And Africa ( LAMEA )
This combined region is at an earlier stage of adoption but offers substantial white space. In Latin America, Brazil and Argentina are emerging as key markets, leveraging sugarcane bagasse and forestry residues. In the Middle East, adoption is limited but tied to niche industrial uses in Turkey and small renewable pilot projects in the Gulf. Africa shows the strongest momentum in household use. Briquettes are increasingly replacing charcoal in urban centers like Nairobi and Kampala, addressing both deforestation and public health concerns. International NGOs and local entrepreneurs are driving this trend, supported by affordable semi-mechanized production.

In summary, Asia Pacific anchors global production and industrial demand, Europe sets the pace for quality and certification, North America is slowly aligning biomass with policy incentives, and LAMEA represents the frontier of social and environmental impact adoption. The growth outlook is therefore multipolar — each region contributing differently, but collectively reinforcing briquettes as a rising renewable fuel option.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

End-user adoption of biomass briquettes reflects a spectrum of needs — from large industrial operations replacing coal to households seeking affordable alternatives to firewood. Each category has unique drivers and constraints that shape demand patterns.

Industrial Users
Industries are the primary consumers of briquettes, particularly in sectors such as cement, textiles, paper, and food processing. For these users, the main appeal lies in compliance and cost savings. With carbon taxes and coal bans becoming stricter, briquettes offer a viable way to cut emissions without major equipment overhauls. In many cases, only minor burner modifications are needed, making the switch relatively low-cost compared to transitioning to fully new energy systems.

 

Power Generators
Some utilities are co-firing biomass briquettes alongside coal in thermal plants. While still limited, this practice is expanding as governments include biomass in renewable portfolio standards. The segment is strategic because utilities operate at scale, and even a small percentage of co-firing translates into significant briquette volumes. However, supply chain consistency and quality certification remain critical hurdles.

 

Commercial And Institutional Users
Hotels, universities, and community cooking centers represent a smaller but growing category. They value briquettes for their cleaner combustion compared to raw wood or charcoal. In urban areas where natural gas infrastructure is limited or costly, briquettes provide a stable heating and cooking option.

 

Residential Users
Household adoption is concentrated in rural and semi-urban regions, often supported by government or NGO initiatives. Here, briquettes replace traditional firewood or charcoal, reducing indoor air pollution and pressure on forests. Affordability and local availability are decisive factors, and decentralized production hubs often cater directly to this segment.

 

Use Case Highlight
A textile cluster in Tamil Nadu, India, faced rising compliance costs due to coal usage in its small-scale industrial boilers. Producers within the cluster formed a cooperative to collectively purchase briquettes made from local agricultural residues. By pooling demand, they secured a steady supply at negotiated prices and reduced their fuel expenses by nearly 15% compared to coal. Beyond cost savings, the cooperative gained access to government incentives tied to renewable fuel adoption. Over two years, the cluster reported lower emission penalties and stronger branding appeal with global buyers focused on sustainable sourcing.

This case illustrates the broader dynamic: industrial end users are driving demand volume, but households and community institutions play an equally important role in demonstrating the social and environmental impact of briquette adoption. Together, these segments ensure that the market is not only commercially viable but also socially relevant.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• In 2023, several Indian state governments expanded their industrial boiler fuel substitution programs, offering subsidies for briquette-based fuel contracts.

• A European consortium launched a certification initiative in 2024 to standardize biomass briquettes for household heating, ensuring calorific value and emissions compliance.

• In 2023, African NGOs partnered with local entrepreneurs in Kenya and Uganda to scale semi-mechanized briquetting units, replacing charcoal in urban households.

• Multiple equipment manufacturers introduced automated briquetting presses in 2024 with IoT integration, allowing real-time monitoring of production and quality.

 

Opportunities

• Expansion in Emerging Markets: Countries in Africa and Southeast Asia present strong opportunities where briquettes can replace charcoal and firewood.

• Policy-Driven Industrial Adoption: Mandates for coal substitution in industries such as cement and textiles will expand briquette demand.

• Technology Upgrades: Digital monitoring, densification improvements, and hybrid briquettes with higher calorific value are opening new use cases in power generation.

 

Restraints

• Feedstock Seasonality: Dependence on agricultural residues makes briquette supply vulnerable to harvest cycles and inconsistent availability.

• Cost Competitiveness: In regions with cheap natural gas or subsidized coal, briquettes struggle to compete without government incentives.
   

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 1.2 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 2.3 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 11.2% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Product Type, By Application, By End User, By Geography
By Product Type	Agricultural Residue Briquettes, Sawdust Briquettes, Mixed Feed Briquettes
By Application	Industrial Boilers, Power Generation, Residential Heating, Commercial & Institutional
By End User	Industries, Utilities, Commercial/Institutions, Households
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Germany, UK, China, India, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, etc.
Market Drivers	- Policy-driven substitution of coal and charcoal - Rising industrial energy demand - Waste valorization and sustainability goals
Customization Option	Available upon request