Pine wood pellets (diam. 6 mm, humidity 15%) were analyzed immediately after prodn. as well as after vacuum storage for up to 6 mos. in order to est. the impact of storage time on the no. of microorganisms on their surface and on a change in the calorific value and compn. of off-gases from gasification. Storage of the pellets for 6 mo. resulted in over 99% redn. in the no. of microorganisms and a 50% redn. in calorific value in comparison with the fresh sample.