Factsheet: Biomass Logistics - Supply Chains

Biomass is positioned as a core pillar of EU climate policy, with sustainable global supply projected to rise from ~55 EJ to ~150 EJ in the next two decades; the sector is largely local, with imports at 4.7%. Adoption hinges on cost-effective logistics-harvesting, pre-treatment, storage, upgrading and transport-designed under RED III sustainability criteria and tailored to regional socio-economic and environmental contexts. Operational guidance includes radii of <30 km for agro-residues (extendable with baling) and ~100 km for forestry biomass (20-100 t/ha), plus 15–30 t/ha from urban green waste; Europe leads in advanced machinery and efficient multi-modal transport and pellet conversion. A thorough evaluation of existing routes and efficiency improvements is flagged as decisive to reduce feedstock costs and scale biofuels.