Advancing the next generation of sustainable bioenergy with black pellets

“Our steam‑explosion biocoal technology allows us to unlock far more value from sustainable wood residues, and SBP certification ensures that this innovation is matched by equally strong sustainability assurance. It strengthens trust in our products and supports the wider industry shift towards high integrity biomass solutions.” Eirik Haugen, Chief Executive Officer

Arba One A/S, located in south east Norway, is one of the most technologically advanced biomass pellet plants operating in Europe today. Fully owned by Arbaflame A/S, the facility is built around a patented steam explosion process that converts sawmill residues into high performance black pellets, a product designed to replace coal in a wide range of energy and industrial applications. The first pilot line plant was originally established in 2003 and underwent a complete rebuild and major upgrade between 2020 and 2021, scaling up the technology and its production capacity, and introducing equipment for extracting valuable biochemicals and biogas as part of a circular production model. Most of the volume is shipped in dry bulk vessels, with cargo capacities of 3,000 to 10,000 tonnes, from the port of Oslo to international clients.

Arba One sources its feedstock from five to 10 small and medium sized sawmills in Norway and Sweden in close proximity to the plant. These suppliers provide sawdust derived primarily from Nordic spruce (Picea abies) and Nordic pine (Pinus sylvestris). All incoming feedstock enter the plant with FSC and/or PEFC certification or controlled claims, ensuring robust legality and sustainable forest management credentials. Most feedstock processed at Arba One is categorised as SBP controlled processing residues feedstock (94%), with the remaining 6% meeting SBP compliant processing residues feedstock criteria. This supply base sits within two countries recognised globally for their well regulated forestry sectors, high biodiversity safeguards and strong socio economic standards.

Arbaflame’s core innovation lies in its steam exploded pellet technology. Through a high temperature steam treatment process, wood fibres are broken down and lignin, the natural binding agent in wood, is released. The resulting black pellets, marketed under the ArbaCore™ brand, have significantly higher energy density and grindability compared to conventional white pellets, enabling a much closer functional substitute for coal. These pellets are also water resistant and can be stored outdoors, reducing logistics and storage costs. The technology has been tested and verified across more than a dozen power plants and industrial users, such as cement, metal and asphalt manufacturers, in Europe and North America, demonstrating its performance in large scale applications.

The plant’s circular design allows Arbaflame to produce not only pellets but also biogas and high value biochemicals, including furfural, bio‑methanol and methane, which are co‑products generated from condensates released during the steam‑explosion process. These biochemicals are used internally as process fuels and have the potential to support a wider bio‑based materials market as commercialisation advances.

SBP certification plays a central role in ensuring that Arba One’s innovative production system is underpinned by rigorous sustainability assurance. Certification provides independent verification that feedstock is legally harvested, responsibly sourced and traceable across the supply chain. For a producer whose product is designed as a coal replacement, SBP’s focus on energy and carbon data is particularly valuable. The plant’s steam‑explosion process alters the energy characteristics of the pellets, making accurate, standardised reporting essential for downstream users evaluating lifecycle GHG emissions. SBP’s data requirements support these needs by ensuring consistent energy‑carbon reporting and accounting aligned with European sustainability frameworks, in most cases an absolute requirement for users to obtain their licence to operate.

Moreover, SBP certification reinforces market confidence in black pellets as a credible renewable alternative in sectors seeking rapid decarbonisation, including utilities and industrial users operating hard‑to‑abate assets. As international markets expand for advanced bioenergy solutions, Arba One’s SBP‑certified production positions the company to support the growing demand for low‑carbon fuels whilst maintaining transparent, responsible sourcing practices.

Arba One demonstrates how advanced pellet technologies, when combined with robust certification, can deliver both environmental and operational benefits. By converting sustainably sourced sawmill residues into high performance black pellets and valuable biochemical co‑products, Arbaflame provides a model for innovation within the global biomass sector. The company’s continued investment in technology and commitment to certified responsible sourcing underline its role in enabling a cleaner, more circular bioenergy future.