TITLE THEME 1 XtraBlatt: But the Premos as such will be ready for sale earlier? Lüpping: Yes and no. Yes, because in 2019 we’ll have the first machines at work with customers all over Europe. A definite starting date for serial production is still missing, however. But I believe that in 2020 we’ll be manufacturing larger numbers of machines although I cannot, and will not, give definite figures yet. XtraBlatt: Market potential should be large enough. Lüpping: Definitely! Even for energy cropping alone. Taking Germany as an example: normally around 30 m t straw is produced annually, of which only one-fifth is used for litter and feed. Experts assume that there’s certainly 10 m t straw available for energy production. 2 Göcke: Additionally, the Premos also pellets lucerne and hay, as long as material moisture content doesn’t exceed 16%. This is a further boost to the machine’s productivity potential and therefore its efficiency in use. This year in field trials we have seen that Premos pelleting is especially attractive for lucerne because movement of material through the machine is slow, cutting down leaf losses. In feeding, pellet inclusion can be optimally measured, and forage storage area requirement is reduced with pellets. Compared with high density (HDP) big rectangular bales, pellets need only one third of the space. XtraBlatt: If straw pellets find the necessary market acceptance … XtraBlatt: You mentioned achievable productivity potential. What is the machine’s output and its operative efficiency? Lüpping: I don’t doubt this for a second. Based on density and heating value, straw pellets are comparable with wood ones. And in our experience material loss in straw pelleting is relatively low. On the other hand, ash and slag is a little higher compared with wood burning. It is certainly so that heating plants must be officially certified for straw burning. Speaking of potential, there is more than energy production to consider. For instance, enormous advantages for the farmer come from using straw as feed, as litter and as substrate in biogas plants. Trials demonstrate that gas production from straw pellets is markedly higher than that from chopped straw. Göcke: At a field speed of 2 – 3 km/h in working setup, hourly production of around 5 t is achievable, according to results from trials and demonstrations this year. Thus, during a 12-hour day, theoretical output under optimum conditions could be up to 60 t in very large fields. A realistic figure in this respect would probably be 50 t, when headland turning and transport times are considered. And in particular for smaller fields where efficient operation with big rectangular balers tends to be difficult, the Premos can perform optimally. Lüpping: Hourly output would be about the same in stationary operation whereby production per working day would be greater. From my point of view, the number of operative days 8
3 4 is decisive. In a specimen calculation, we applied an effective 75 days for the winter half-year. For differing scenarios we have prepared other specimen calculations including full costs such as tractor use, machinery depreciation, service and repairs, fuel, and much more. XtraBlatt: What size of tractor is required for operating the Premos? Göcke: We used various models and power classes in our fieldwork. Demonstrated thereby was that the Premos requires at least 350 HP. The machine is in a league of its own in this respect, particularly because of the power needs of the pelleting process. Additionally, as always, there’s really no substitute for engine capacity. This is why, just to take one example, a Fendt 1046 performs better than the 939. This is also seen through the diesel consumption. Lüpping: Compared with other energy sources, I see the price as realistic and achievable on the market. And incidentally, not only for pellets as fuel. Livestock producers, too, and biogas plant operators, will be able to see the economic advantages through applying an honest full cost calculation. While it is true that the pellets are a little more expensive than straw delivered in bales, pellets compensate by, for example, requiring markedly less material for bedding the same area, therefore sinking costs. And the additional pellet advantage of easier handling should also not be forgotten. It’s clear that the market has, in part, to be further developed. However, the aforementioned potential Premos buyers are already convinced that their investment will be worthwhile. « XtraBlatt: Apropos energy balance: don’t associated fuel costs make this pelleting process too inefficient compared with other systems? Lüpping: No, definitely not. In relationship to the energy produced by burning the pellets, only 4 % of this represents the energy used in operating the Premos in-field – important information for potential customers. Comparing mobile pelleting with other stationary plants, we calculate that energy requirement for the Premos is just about 50 %. This is because no pre-chopping is required. This represents a definite advantage. XtraBlatt: Does this advantage also apply to the sales price of 200 €/t of pellets that you have assumed in the specimen calculation? That sounds very ambitious … 1 Density and heating value of straw pellets are comparable with that of wood pellets. 2 Present production performance of the Premos in fieldwork lies at around 5t/h. 3 The machine not only pellets straw but also hay. Important is that maximum moisture content for the latter is 16%. 4 Straw pellets are not only useful for energy supply. They make good litter. 9
