Recycling Technologies Group P/L (RTG) manufacture Wood Pellets in Eden, NSW. The raw material fibre used is 100% hardwood waste fibre sourced from local sawmill and joinery manufacturing operations. 

The species of wood varies according to what is available at the time. But is predominantly Black Butt (Euc. Pilularis), Brownbarrel (Eucalyptus fastigata), Spotted Gum (Euc. Maculata) and Ironbark (various species).  

Fibre is hammermilled and then screened through a 5mm screen. Therefore, all pellet particle constituent sizes are less than 5mm and 50% of this between 2 – 3mm in size. This provides an optimum surface area to volume ratio without becoming powdery after water is added. 

During pellet processing operations a small quantity of vegetable oil is used as an extrusion lubricant. This is <0.5% by weight. 

Final moisture content of the pellets is between 9 – 10%. 

Pellet diameter is 6mm. Pellet length is typically between 10 – 40mm (85%) with the balance being < 10mm. 

Pellets typically have a shiny glass like coating on them. This is the natural lignin in the wood fibre that is plasticised during the manufacturing process. It assists to bind the pellet together. 

During manufacturing pellets are produced at +85°C. This assists to plasticise the lignin allowing it to flow and act as a natural binder AND this temperature assists to kill any bacteria present in the fibre resulting in a wood pellet that should not contain any bacterial contaminants. This will assist to grow disease free mushrooms. 

Pellets are packed in 15kg bags, 66 bags to the pallet to make up 1 Tonne of pellets. 

Pellets should be stored in a cool dry place elevated off the ground. If they are exposed to moisture, they will absorb the moisture and swell up.  They are hydroscopic. 

RTG produce wood pellets all year round. The winter season March – August is peak period for heating pellets for the pellet heaters and Sept – Feb is peak season for Smoking pellets for the meat smoking market. The wood heating pellets have about 5% pine in them – as opposed to mushroom pellets which have 0% pine.  RTG do special production runs of pellets suitable for mushroom growing and always aim to keep 5 – 10T on the floor in stock.