Optimizing Volatile Matter and Ash Content in Environmentally Friendlier Firelighters Based on Wood Residues and Wax Matrices

Global agricultural and forestry processing industries generate vast quantities of bio-based residuals and organic side products annually, prompting a critical need for sustainable material repurposing. This study investigates the thermal performance of environmentally friendly, high-performance briquettes formulated by integrating organic side products particulates and engineered bio-fibers—specifically processed wood wool—into a unified matrix. By combining these bio-based materials with a blended wax matrix (beeswax, soy wax, and paraffin) and paper pulp as a structural fibrous binder, the study developed a highly efficient, waterproof fuel source. This research aims to characterize and compare fire-starter samples prepared from a single batch of planer shavings treated with three commercial TEFACID fatty acids (5VT 60, RG, and SHEA), stearine, candle wax, beeswax, and an additional wax of unspecified composition, designated WOOD WOOL in the sample set. The quantitative results demonstrate that integrating bio-based lipid and wax binders significantly enhances energetic performance. The optimized formulations exhibited high volatile matter content (89.4%–93.3%) and exceptionally low ash content (0.17%–0.32%), maintaining a low heavy metal footprint. The net calorific values were boosted by 35% to 56% compared to the untreated baseline, achieving energy densities between 25.55 MJ/kg and 29.48 MJ/kg.