There are plans to build at least six more pellet plants in Belarus, BelTA learned from Belarusian Forestry Minister Vitaly Drozhzha as a pellet plant was opened in Zhitkovichi, Gomel Oblast.

According to the source, the decision to build the pellet plants has already been made. Vigorous work is in progress. Payments in advance have been made to deliver equipment to a number of forestry enterprises. All the design work will be finished soon. Construction work will begin after that.

According to Vitaly Drozhzha, wood fuel pellet production is a promising line of business. “The entire Europe is intent on reducing the consumption of hydrocarbons. Fuel pellets represent an alternative biological raw material, a renewable source. These are highly profitable products and the pellet plants we’ve built are profitable. There should be no problems with the returns on investment. If we talk about an economic effect, we’ve already earned the first million in U.S. dollars in June. We expect $15 million in foreign currency earnings this year,” the forestry minister stressed.

Locations for setting up the new pellet plants have already been agreed. The places include Gomel, Staryye Dorogi, Osipovichi, and Orsha. The locations were chosen bearing in mind where raw materials will come from.