Switching to white coal is only as good as the supplier behind it. A briquette that varies from batch to batch, arrives wet or crumbles in transit can undo the savings you expected. This checklist helps plant managers and procurement officers in Kadi and Mehsana evaluate a supplier on facts rather than promises.
Direct Answer: What Matters Most?
Five things matter most: whether the supplier is the actual manufacturer, whether you can see the plant, whether batch lab reports are available, whether the briquettes are dense and durable, and whether contract terms are clear. Confirm these first, then run a trial order of at least 25 MT before committing to a monthly contract.
1. Manufacturer or Trader?
A manufacturer controls raw material, pressing and drying, so it can explain and correct problems at the source. A trader may buy from several plants, which can mean variable quality and limited accountability. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know which one you are dealing with. Ask directly where the briquettes are pressed, and whether that location is open to visits.
2. Visit the Plant
A visit tells you more than any brochure. Look for these points.
- Raw material storage: is it covered and sorted, or exposed and mixed?
- Drying and pressing: are machines running and maintained?
- Finished stock: is it stored under cover and off the wet ground?
- Loading practice: are briquettes handled gently to avoid breakage?
Our plant is at Shakti Estate, Kadi–Kalyanpura Road, Nani Kadi Part, Narsihpura, Gujarat 384440, and factory visits are available by appointment. Buyers in Mehsana and Kadi are a short road distance away.
3. Ask for a Lab Report
A credible supplier can show a recent batch lab report. Check that it includes GCV, moisture, ash and sulphur, and that the sample date and batch are stated. Compare the numbers with what was quoted.
| Parameter | What to look for | BBI briquette range |
|---|---|---|
| GCV | Stated clearly and consistent across batches | 3800 to 4200 Kcal/kg |
| Moisture | Low; wet fuel wastes heat | Below 10% |
| Ash | Matches the feedstock used | Below 10% (typically 2 to 8%) |
| Sulphur | Reported, not omitted | Below 0.1% |
A batch lab report is available from us on request. Always compare a report with your own spot tests if your plant has access to a lab.
4. Check Density and Durability
Hold a briquette in your hand. A good 90mm briquette is hard, heavy for its size and does not crumble when squeezed or dropped from waist height. Excess dust at the bottom of a delivery indicates fines, which waste fuel and clog feeders. Break a few open: the inside should look compact and evenly pressed, not hollow or layered.
5. Understand the Contract Terms
Read the commercial terms closely. Typical structure includes a minimum order of 25 MT, standard contracts of 50 MT per month and large-volume contracts of 200 MT or more per month. Clarify these points in writing:
- Price basis: ex-factory or delivered
- Price review: fixed for the term or reviewed monthly
- Specification limits for moisture and ash, and what happens if a lot fails
- Delivery schedule and lead time
- Payment terms
For a cost view, see our guide to white coal pricing in Kadi and Mehsana and use the calculator to compare cost per million Kcal.
6. Start with a Trial Order
A 25 MT trial lets you test feeding, combustion and ash behaviour in your own equipment. Record fuel use per tonne of steam before and after, observe flame stability and ash volume, and note delivery quality. Only after the trial should you decide on a recurring volume.
Scoring Suppliers Side by Side
When you are comparing two or three suppliers, give each a simple score out of five on the same criteria: manufacturing control, plant access, lab report quality, briquette durability, contract clarity and trial support. Price comes after this, not before. A supplier that scores well on every item and quotes slightly higher is often cheaper in practice, because you spend less time on cleaning, rejected lots and unplanned stoppages. Keep the scorecard with your trial data so that the decision can be explained to management and revisited when the contract is renewed.
Keep the Records
Save every lab report, delivery slip and trial log. Over a year these records show whether quality is steady, support your fuel cost reporting and give you leverage in any future negotiation.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Reluctance to show the plant or share a lab report
- Prices far below the market range without a clear reason
- Claims that briquettes always beat coal on every measure
- Wet or crumbling deliveries, or mixed quality between loads
- Vague answers on feedstock
Questions to Ask on the Call
Before the visit, a short call can filter suppliers quickly. Ask which raw materials go into the briquettes and whether the mix changes through the year. Ask how long finished stock is held and how it is protected from moisture. Ask what the typical breakage on delivery is and how complaints about quality are handled. A confident supplier answers these plainly and does not avoid the detail. It is also reasonable to ask about loading time and the weight verification method, because weighbridge slips protect both sides of the transaction.
Reference Checks
Where possible, speak to another plant manager who uses the same fuel in a similar boiler. Ask about consistency over several months rather than a single delivery, how problems were resolved and whether the delivered fuel matched the sample. Independent feedback of this kind is more useful than any promotional claim, and a supplier who is comfortable with scrutiny is usually a safer long-term partner.
Think Beyond the First Delivery
The first delivery is often the best one, since suppliers take extra care with new buyers. What you need to know is how quality holds up in month three or month six, when volumes are higher and the monsoon tests storage. Build periodic sampling into your contract, for example a retained sample from each lot, so any dispute can be settled by testing rather than argument.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy from a manufacturer or a trader?
A manufacturer generally offers better traceability and consistency. If you use a trader, ask which plant supplies the fuel and request lab reports for each lot.
How do I verify the GCV claimed?
Ask for a batch lab report and, if possible, send a sample from your trial delivery to an independent lab.
What is a reasonable trial size?
A trial of 25 MT, which is also our minimum order, gives enough burn time to measure real performance.
Do you supply Kadi and Mehsana?
Yes. See our pages for Kadi and Mehsana, or the briquette product page.
Can I also get pellets or wood pellets?
Yes. Alongside briquettes we supply biomass pellets (GCV 3800 to 4200 Kcal/kg, ash below 10 percent) and premium wood pellets (GCV 4400 to 4800 Kcal/kg, ash below 1 percent).
To request a lab report, arrange a plant visit or plan a trial, contact our team.
Quick fuel check
About 50.0 MT/month of 90mm Biomass Briquettes (White Coal) matches 50 MT of Indian Coal. Enter both prices for a cost comparison.
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