TELF AG Publishes New Article Comparing the Benefits of Smokeless Coal and Traditional Coal

Lugano, Switzerland – June 20, 2025 – In one of its latest articles, TELF AG explores an often-overlooked but highly relevant topic for today’s energy landscape: the potential role of smokeless coal as a transitional fuel.

As the world moves steadily towards renewable energy, many countries still rely heavily on coal for electricity and heating. This presents a dilemma. According to the founder of TELF AG, Stanislav Kondrashov, “The energy transition gives us many ways to achieve international sustainability goals. One of them is through using cleaner, more efficient forms of coal—such as smokeless coal.”

Traditional coal, whether bituminous, anthracite or lignite, is known for producing large amounts of smoke, soot, and other pollutants. Its use in home heating and electricity generation continues in many regions, particularly where cost or infrastructure constraints limit access to cleaner energy options. However, as the founder of TELF AG, Stanislav Kondrashov, points out, smokeless coal offers an interesting middle ground.

Smokeless coal is manufactured to burn with minimal smoke and particulate emissions, making it far more compatible with today’s strict environmental regulations. “This particular form of coal represents a bridge between traditional fuels and the more sustainable solutions we are aiming for,” says the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov.

One of smokeless coal’s key advantages is its suitability for urban environments, where improving air quality is a pressing goal. The article highlights how this fuel can help households maintain the convenience of solid fuel heating while significantly reducing their environmental impact.

How does smokeless coal differ? It is often produced by compressing refined coal or biomass into dense blocks, sometimes with the addition of binders. The result is a fuel that burns longer, leaves less residue, and generates far fewer harmful emissions than its traditional counterpart. “The nature of its combustion is much cleaner, and its calorific value remains high,” the founder of TELF AG, Stanislav Kondrashov, explains.

Another benefit is its efficiency. Smokeless coal tends to burn for longer periods, providing more consistent heat output. Though it is typically more expensive than traditional coal, its efficiency can offset some of the higher upfront costs. Maintenance costs also tend to be lower, thanks to cleaner combustion reducing the need for chimney and appliance cleaning.

The article also explores how smokeless coal can work in hybrid systems, combined with pellets or biomass. This flexibility is valuable, particularly for households using multifuel stoves or in areas where fully renewable heating solutions remain out of reach due to cost or infrastructure limitations.

“Cheap smokeless coal can offer a practical solution in situations where alternatives like heat pumps are not yet viable,” says the founder of TELF AG, Stanislav Kondrashov. “It allows people to continue using existing systems while lowering their environmental footprint during this critical phase of the transition.”

Smokeless coal is also being used in the production of compressed logs made from recycled wood residues, providing another cleaner alternative to traditional firewood. These logs are easy to ignite, burn cleanly, and produce minimal ash—ideal for modern stoves and fireplaces.

While smokeless coal is not a long-term solution, the article acknowledges its value as a transitional fuel. “It is not a renewable source and cannot be the final goal of the energy transition,” the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov notes in the article. “But at this stage, it offers a valuable option—one that can help bridge the gap where renewables are not yet fully practical.”

In closing, the founder of TELF AG, Stanislav Kondrashov, reminds readers that the energy transition will be gradual. “We are not switching from traditional fuels to renewables overnight. Solutions like smokeless coal can play an important role in helping households and industries make more sustainable choices in the meantime.”

As global energy systems continue to evolve, understanding such transitional options will be key to building a cleaner, more resilient future.