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Summary
The French wood-energy market has grown significantly since 2020, with consumer interest driven by environmental concerns and the rising costs of traditional energy sources. Stoves, particularly pellet stoves, have become the best-selling appliances, reaching almost 400,000 units by 2022. France's leading source of renewable energy, the residential sector remains the largest consumer, accounting for 66% of total wood energy consumption.
Soaring energy prices have made wood heating even more competitive. The market faced challenges including increased competition from foreign manufacturers, pressure on production costs and longer delivery times for equipment due to high demand. Government incentives and new regulations, such as the Flamme Verte label requirements and the "chèque bois" subsidy, aim to support the transition to more efficient, less polluting wood heating systems.
Trends and key figures in the booming French wood-energy market
The French wood energy market has enjoyed a robust upward trajectory, particularly in the residential heating sector. As France is not only the leading consumer of wood energy in Europe, but also a country that produces more wood than it consumes, there is a significant market for domestic wood heating systems. Stoves are the most popular, followed by closed hearths and inserts. Although collective wood heating remains marginal, its potential and the availability of resources suggest that there is room for growth, thanks in particular to initiatives by local authorities and heating networks. In Europe, biomass accounts for a significant share of energy production, particularly in Northern and Eastern European countries. In recent years, wood energy consumption in Europe has increased, indicating a developing market that still has to compete with fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources. Despite this, biomass remains a minority energy source in the European Union.
The French market has seen the growing importance of imports, which have accounted for between 70% and 75% of appliance sales in recent times, while appliance production in France has a lower but growing export rate of around 37%. While the domestic wood heating market is booming, with expected sales of between 600 and 700 million euros, the industry sees potential for further expansion. This potential is reinforced by the abundance of available forest resources, with some 15 to 20 million hectares of forest covering around 31% of France's total surface area. Wood energy consumption in France is mainly in the residential sector, which is the largest consumer at 66%. Other major consumers are the energy sector and industry. There is a clear trend towards households equipping themselves with pellet stoves, with a significant increase in demand. Sales of domestic wood-burning appliances have soared, reflecting a market that is rapidly adapting to consumer preferences.
The profile of users of wood-burning systems in France varies according to the type of appliance. Older city dwellers living in older homes tend to prefer open fireplaces, while younger people from different socio-economic backgrounds, generally living in larger households, opt for boilers, stoves and inserts. Wood pellets, as a heating option, are favored by younger, higher-income groups living in modern homes.
as the market becomes more attractive, foreign competition intensifies sharply. European manufacturers, notably Austrian and German, are challenging the French players with more efficient and modern products. As a result, the share of imported appliances has risen considerably.
Key players in the French wood heating market: Looking across the landscape of the French wood heating market, we can identify a variety of key players who contribute significantly to the production, distribution and installation of wood heating solutions. These companies are distinguished by their areas of expertise, ranging from the manufacture of appliances designed for domestic heating to the supply of more complete industrial solutions. Below is an exploration of these market players and their respective roles in the wood heating industry.
French manufacturers
- Lorflam is an outstanding French manufacturer, specializing in the production of innovative, high-quality wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. They have a reputation for combining modern aesthetics with cutting-edge technology to offer products that are not only heating solutions but also decorative elements for the home.
- Invicta, another big name in the French market, shines with the diversity of its product range, which includes wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and boiler stoves. The company prides itself on combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, enabling it to appeal to consumers who appreciate the blend of style and functionality.
- Cheminées Seguin has a strong presence in the market, specializing in closed fireplaces and inserts. Their products are renowned for their durability and performance, making them a reliable option for consumers looking to upgrade their existing heating systems or install new, high-efficiency wood-burning appliances.
Foreign manufacturers
- Ökofen is a leading manufacturer that has made significant inroads into the French market. The company is best known for its commitment to sustainable development and its cutting-edge pellet heating systems. Its products are synonymous with respect for the environment, efficiency and innovation, and often appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
- Froling is another major player from abroad, renowned for its high-performance biomass heating systems, including boilers that meet both residential and industrial needs. Their products stand out for their efficiency, reliability and contribution to reducing carbon footprints.
Market dynamics
These companies operate in a dynamic market that is influenced by a number of factors, including technological innovations, consumer preferences, regulatory changes and environmental concerns. They face a wide range of competitors, both domestic and foreign, and must constantly evolve to meet new customer needs and the stringent environmental standards set by the government. Each player has carved out its own niche, consolidating its presence with distinct product offerings and catering to the wishes of various customer segments, from budget-conscious households to environmentally conscious consumers. The French wood heating market, with its blend of local expertise and international influences, demonstrates the development potential of the wood heating industry.
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- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 17/01/2024
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Background and market definition
Wood can be referred to as " wood-energy" to describe the energy recovery of forestry by-products (branches, small wood, etc.) and industrial by-products (bark, sawdust, shavings, etc.). France is Europe's leading consumer of wood for energy purposes, and produces more wood than it consumes. Domestic wood heating is a sector in which French players have a strong presence, both in appliance construction and in equipment. In France, most of the market is residential, and sales of wood heating systems are largely driven by stoves, followed by closed hearths and inserts.
The use of collective wood heating is still very marginal compared with individual heating, but there is great potential and a significant resource. Local authorities can install wood-fired boilers when renovating or constructing new buildings (schools, collective housing, hospitals, health establishments, sports complexes, etc.). A heating network between neighboring buildings can also be envisaged to optimize energy use, pool investment and simplify management of existing boiler plants. The network operator then sells the heat to each connected user. Many professionals also use firewood, in its traditional or compacted form, to heat their premises or businesses.
Market players include manufacturers of independent appliances (closed hearths/inserts, wood-burning stoves, cookers, etc.), boilers and heaters.manufacturers of domestic boilers (manual or automated), manufacturers of flue systems, and manufacturers of wood fuels.
In2022, as electricity and hydrocarbon prices rise, wood heating will become an alternative to traditional heating systems (electricity and gas).
1.2 A growing European market
Biomass, the material derived from plants and animals, now accounts for a significant proportion of energy production in many countries. Northern and Eastern European countries are the main users of this energy. For example, it accounted for **% of the energy available in Latvia in ****. [***] In ****, the main final consumers of wood ...
1.3 Important imports for the market
Over the years, imports (***) . for information, the share of imports was **% in ****[***]
Share of imports and exports for the France market, ****-****, % Source: ****
Indeed, French players were positioned mainly in the low-efficiency closed hearth and insert segment. However, with advances in efficiency, French players have had to face increasing pressure from ...
1.4 The French market
Sales trends in the domestic wood-burning appliances market France, **** -****, in millions of euros Observ'ER
After a dip in ****, sales have really jumped: sales in **** are **% higher than in ****.
On the one hand, growing concern for the environment is driving many people to opt for a cleaner, renewable heat source. On ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Consumption of wood energy (biomass)
Energy from biomass is not only intended for domestic use, even if this is the case in France (***). In France, by ****, the residential sector will be the largest consumer of wood energy, accounting for **% of total consumption, followed by the energy branch at **%, industry at *%, agriculture at *% and the tertiary sector ...
2.2 Focus on domestic wood heating
In ****, sales of domestic wood-burning appliances were up **.*% on ****. (***). **** was the best year since ****, particularly in the boiler segment, which set a record with nearly **,*** units sold. **** surpassed this record, with stoves in particular reaching almost ***,*** units sold.
Sales of wood-burning heating systems by type France, ****-****, thousands of units Source: ...
2.3 User profile
In France, almost a quarter of households use a wood-burning heating system, whether as a primary or secondary source. This rate peaked in ****. [***]
It is possible to determine user profiles according to the type of heating appliance. While open fireplaces are of particular interest to the elderly in older homes, other ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Fierce foreign competition
Environmental concerns have encouraged the government and consumers to promote much more efficient heating appliances, with the Flamme Verte label. These appliances must meet a number of requirements:
Efficiency greater than **% Low emissions of fine particles and less than *.*% for carbon monoxide
Share of appliances sold with Flamme Verte certification France, ...
3.2 Distribution mainly through installers and wholesalers
Manufacturers have several distribution channels for their products:
Direct sales, in stores generally located close to production plants. Wholesalers, who deal with manufacturers and buy part of their production from them. Installers, sometimes on their own or organized into networks, who decide not to go through a wholesaler and buy from ...
3.3 Structure of wood-burning appliance sales
Sales of wood-burning appliances by market segment France, ****, in euros Observ'ER
The most profitable appliances are boilers, with average sales of €****.
Sales of wood-burning appliances by market segment France, ****, in millions of euros Observ'ER
[***]
Stoves account for **% of the total market, although they are the least profitable appliances, with average ...
3.4 Production costs
[***]
Air-to-water heat pumps have the highest production costs. Private wood and industrial/collective biomass have the lowest production costs.
3.5 Value chain
[***]
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Four main product categories
There are many types of wood-burning appliance, the most common being closed hearths, inserts and stoves (***).
Source: ****
The choice of wood-burning appliance depends on needs and available fuel. For example, a household that is self-sufficient in logs is more likely to choose a log heater.
Source: ****
Then, within the same category, ...
4.2 A very wide price range
Appliance prices vary greatly according to the type of model chosen. A boiler, for example, is systematically more expensive than a stove. [***]
Delivery and installation costs are often added to the price of the appliance. It may also be necessary to rebuild the heating system in the house, which can represent ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Current regulations
A major source of pollution, many inefficient wood-burning sources have been banned in certain regions. A **** inter-prefectoral decree, for example, introduced restrictions on the use of certain types of heating in the Île-de-France region (***).
Source: ****
These restrictions could be extended to other regions if they see a rise in air pollution ...
5.2 Environmental performance and subsidies
A major issue in the energy transition, this solution is highly advantageous, since it is less polluting than other energy sources, and relatively less expensive too.a pellet boiler saves €*,*** a year in fuel costs compared with an oil-fired boiler. [***]
However, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (***) stresses theimportance of ...
List of charts
- Main wood-energy consuming countries
- Wood energy consumption trends
- Share of imports and exports of wood-burning appliances
- Primary wood energy consumption by sector
- Share of each sector in renewable heat production
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Latest news
Chimney manufacturer Poujoulat turns up the heat on wood energy - 25/11/2023
- Company (1,700 employees) based in Saint-Symphorien (Deux-Sèvres), generates 40% of its sales in the wood energy segment
- French leader in this segment
- 401.9 million euros in sales by 2022
- The Group, which originally specialized in chimney flues and industrial chimneys (60% of sales), recorded a 55% increase in wood-energy sales over the past year.
- Acquisition of four plants in the last two years".
- Its subsidiary, Bois Bûches Nord Atlantique, based in Loire-Atlantique and specialized in the production and distribution of wood energy in the Pays de la Loire region, joined the Poujoulat Group last July.
- There are 2.6 million log and pellet-fired wood-burning appliances in French households s
- 12 million households heat with gas in France
- In Norway, 85% of single-family homes have a heat pump and are equipped with a wood-burning stove.
- the company produces logs and pellets (six industrial sites), which it sells through brands dedicated to private and professional customers (Woodstock and Crepito)
Dixneuf continues to invest in Maine-et-Loire - 19/09/2023
- Specialist in technical products, accessories and decorative objects for stoves and fireplaces
- Dixneuf has invested 10 million euros in its La Romagne site between 2020 and 2022.
- The company's sales have risen from 40 million euros in 2020 to 56 million euros in 2021.
- By 2022, Dixneuf's sales will have reached 72 million euros
- The company's workforce has reached 300 at its plant.
Taurus: Wood-burning stoves: 21 of Supra's 28 employees threatened with redundancy - 10/07/2023
- The Obernai wood-burning stove factory is owned by the Spanish Taurus Group.
- The plant currently employs 28 people.
- The group has announced its intention to lay off 21 of these 28 employees for economic reasons.
- Supra, which was acquired by Taurus in February 2020, has been in existence for almost 150 years.
- Supra generates sales of ten million euros.
The wood pellet industry is on the verge of overheating - 21/10/2022
- Pellets, wood pellets used as fuel by some 1.5 million households in France
- The price of a 15 kg bag has risen by 200% in just one and a half years
- Poujoulat is France's leading pellet trader, selling 300,000 tonnes a year through its subsidiary Euro Energies
- From a mere 5 euros each at the beginning of 2021, the average price this summer was 10 euros, and it can now be found for 15 euros in DIY superstores, garden centers and hypermarkets
- Poujoulat inaugurates its largest industrial log factory
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