Ireland continues to strengthen its approach to cleaner heating, with important updates to the Solid Fuel Regulations that directly affect firewood suppliers and retailers. If you produce or sell logs into the Irish market, understanding these changes now will help you stay compliant and competitive. As moisture content requirements tighten in the coming months, having a dependable drying process in place can help ensure your firewood consistently meets the new standards.
What are the Ireland Solid Fuel Regulations?
Ireland’s Solid Fuel Regulations (2022) make it illegal to sell or distribute domestic solid fuels that do not meet approved environmental standards. The rules are designed to improve air quality, reduce smoke emissions and ensure consumers receive clean-burning fuel.
For firewood suppliers, compliance requires:
- Official EPA registration and product identification
- Correct regulatory labelling
- Strict moisture content limits
- Proper storage and handling to prevent re-wetting
Currently, firewood must contain less than 25% moisture to be legally sold. However, a major tightening of the rules is on the horizon.
The Key Change Coming in September 2026
From 1 September 2026, the permitted moisture content for firewood in Ireland will reduce to: 20% moisture content.
For suppliers, this change means one thing: Log drying is not optional – it’s essential.
The Challenge for Producers
Traditional air drying of logs often struggles to consistently achieve moisture below 25%, let alone 20%, especially in Ireland’s climate. Weather dependency and long drying times can all lead to non-compliant stock.
That’s why many producers are investing in controlled kiln drying systems, ensuring year-round compliance and predictable production output.
Future-Proof Your Operation with GlenFarrow Log Drying Technology
At GlenFarrow, we design and manufacture advanced wood fuel drying solutions specifically built for commercial firewood production.
Fast, Controlled Drying for 2026 Compliance
With Ireland’s moisture limit reducing to 20% from September 2026, speed and consistency in your drying process will be critical. Air drying alone can leave too much to chance, especially when legislation demands reliable, repeatable results.
At GlenFarrow, our kiln range is built around the same proven recirculating drying technology, whether you choose a standard containerised system or a larger bespoke installation.
Recirculating Kiln Technology
All of our kilns use advanced recirculation airflow to ensure even heat distribution and consistent moisture reduction throughout every load.
Key advantages:
- Drying times from as little as 4 days
Rapid turnaround means faster stock rotation and consistent sub-20% moisture content, a major advantage under the new Irish regulations. - Full temperature and humidity control
Precise control ensures consistent results across every batch. - Remote monitoring and access available
Stay in control of your drying process wherever you are. - Plug-and-play 40ft containerised kilns
Our standard 40ft recirculation kilns are delivered ready to connect and operate, minimising installation time and disruption. - Scalable modular design
As demand grows, additional kiln units can be added seamlessly.
For higher-capacity operations, our bespoke kilns use the same recirculating drying principles, simply scaled and tailored to your site and throughput requirements.
Efficient Biomass Heating to Power Your Kilns
Our systems are designed for efficient integration with GlenFarrow biomass boilers. For example:
One 210kW batch-fed biomass boiler can heat up to three 40ft recirculating kilns, delivering an energy-efficient, renewable solution using your own waste wood.
This not only supports compliance with Ireland’s tightening moisture limits, it strengthens your overall sustainability credentials and reduces long-term operating costs.
While biomass is often the preferred option, particularly for producers looking to utilise waste wood as a fuel source, our kilns are compatible with a range of heat inputs. If you already have an existing fuel system in place, or would prefer to operate using an alternative fuel, we can integrate our drying technology to suit your requirements.
Proven Results in Ireland
GlenFarrow systems are already helping Irish producers meet compliance standards while improving efficiency and output.
Watch how one Irish customer transformed their firewood production process with a GlenFarrow Bespoke Drying Kiln:
Preparing for September 2026 Starts Now
As Ireland moves toward stricter environmental standards, kiln drying will become the benchmark for compliant firewood production. Investing in proven drying and biomass heating systems today ensures your business is ready for tomorrow’s market.
Discover how GlenFarrow can help keep your business compliant and log drying efficient. Visit our Contact Us page or call our team on 01775 722327.
