Why use briquettes?

Climate Change is real, whether we accept it or not. The globe is expected to warm up by 2 Degrees Celsius by 2036. This is a major threshold that will cause major irreversible problems across the globe affecting humanity directly. To prevent such a catastrophe we must switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We therefore need a fuel that can be cost effective, has high heat value and is environmentally sustainable. Seems like we are talking about 3 different types of fuel isn’t? We have an all in one solution, Briquettes! These are a renewable source of energy that can replace Fuel Oil, Diesel, Coal and Firewood in Industrial Boilers. Briquettes are made from various biomass waste, with each having its own challenges. Sawdust is a fantastic material, if processed and sourced right, it can meet all the 3 criteria mentioned above. We have special systems and procedures in place to ensure that the sawdust that we use to make our briquettes comes from the right sources and is of the highest quality!

Firewood is cheaper so why should we switch?

Yes, that’s true. Firewood is much cheaper to purchase. On the other hand it is much more expensive to use, as your consumption in the boilers is almost 40% higher than if you use our sawdust briquettes. As you know, firewood does not produce consistent steam and it takes forever for your boiler to reach the right pressure, required. This means your boiler is wasting paramount time and energy instead of doing the job you had purchased it for. All this results in less production on a day to day basis which can really add up when you factor in that there are 365 days a year! Also, our supply is year round (irrespective of the season). Now, you tell us what is cheaper?

Why are there cheaper briquettes in the market ?

Most of the briquettes produced in Kenya are either made from Sawdust or Bagasse. Bagasse briquettes are cheaper, on the other hand they pose their own challenges. Their calorific value is lower, they contain sugar and so form scales (clinker) on your boiler walls (which affects the efficiency), in addition it also clogs up your fire-beds! What happens then? You have to shut your boiler, stop production and do some really expensive maintenance, almost 3-5X more than if you use sawdust briquettes! Without production there are no sales! A lot of our clients have switched from bagasse to sawdust briquettes as they got tired of these same problems, some have even had to replace their boilers!

Another issue our clients have regularly been facing from cheaper sawdust briquette suppliers is that they get their briquettes mixed with sand/mud/dirt and other foreign materials, and as you know this can cause un-imaginable damage to your boilers as a lot of parts are very sensitive these days! Plus, there is no consistent supply. Add these problems with high moisture and low compaction, and we guarantee those briquettes will turn into dust when offloading or in storage.

Sweating over this? Don’t worry, that is exactly why we are here (Get in Touch!). We do not mix anything into our briquettes. They are pure sawdust with minimum moisture and highly compacted. Once, you have confirmed your order, that quantity is reserved, just for you!

Now you tell us whether cheaper briquettes are actually worth it. Cheap is almost always, Expensive. View our latest lab-test report by clicking here.

How can we tell the difference between a good quality briquette and a bad one?

We would love for you to try these tests out personally:

Firstly, you can do a physical burn test and see how much ash is leftover. You can also feel the texture of the leftover ash, if it is sticky and can be molded, that’s dirt! You are paying for dirt! When burning if there is a foul or different type of smell, that most likely means the briquettes have been mixed with used oil or some other foreign materials.

Secondly, you can take 2 pieces of briquettes and smash them against each other as hard as you possibly can. If they don’t disintegrate, those are very good quality! If they do, you are basically paying for dust/water!

Thirdly, you can put sawdust briquettes into some water for 3-4 minutes. You then remove what is on the water surface and put it on a dry towel. Observe the container of water as sand, dirt and heavy foreign materials will sink to them bottom. You can then take what you placed on the towel and squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Feel the texture and if it holds its shape, that is not sawdust but mud!

Can we use briquettes in our current boilers?

As long as you have a boiler that uses any form of solid fuel i.e. Coal, Firewood, Pellets, Other Types of Biomass, you should be good to go.

Can the briquettes be used in our stove/jiko at home?

Our briquettes are crafted specially for industrial boilers and so unfortunately, they can not be used for your stove/jiko at home. We are developing briquettes for home use, just hang in there a-bit longer. We are really excited about this!

Do you deliver?

Yes, we do! We have a highly specialised logistics team that can facilitate prompt delivery to your doorstep, anywhere in Kenya and Eastern Africa.

How fast can you deliver?

It all depends on how fast we have exchanged our relevant documents. Once we have recieved the LPO with all other documents, we could arrange for same day or next day delivery for our Kenyan Customers.

How do you package the briquettes?

We can either supply in bulk or in sacks of 30-50 kgs, depending on your preference.

What are your payment terms?

We are quite flexible in our terms. Initially, we would hope we could be paid within 7 days or so and once we have a good connection we can always sit down and agree. But hey, nothing is written in stone we could always talk!

How can we place an order?

For our Kenyan clients (if you are from outside Kenya please check our faq on exports), all you have to do is send us your daily requirement, we agree on a price and payment terms, exchange some documents, you issue us with an LPO and we deliver! Its that simple!

We are here to solve you problems, not create new ones. We advice our partners (you) to first order a sample (which we shall send to you, free of charge) and after your initial testing, you can then give us a trial order for just one truck. Once that is satisfactory, you can then give us the full order! We are here for you!

What documents does ecorific require from us?

Just the basics i.e. Copies of Certificate of Incorporation, PIN/VAT Certificate, IDs’ of the Directors and your Trade License. You can always send this by email. We also require you to sign and send our customer account opening form which can be downloaded by clicking here.

What about for export?

We do export to all our East African Neighbours (for the rest of the world, please contact us). We take care of everything from initial order until delivery to your door step!

The only requirement from your side would be to pay the respective taxes of your country before shipment, so as to facilitate smooth clearance and documentation at the borders. We want you to receive your briquettes as fast as possible.

We shall provide you with all the relevant documents i.e. Commercial Invoice, Packing List and Certificate of Origin (for this we shall have to exchange either a Sales Agreement (for continuous and long term contracts) or proof of payment documents to enable us obtain the Certificate).