In addition to their markets for energy production, many of the energy crops have alternative markets some of which are currently more lucrative than for energy purposes, particularly in the UK where the biomass industry is in its infancy.

This section outlines some of the non-energy markets available for willow coppice from basketry which utilises many different varieties of willow through those grown for energy purposes to those grown for slope stabilisation and living sculptures for which biomass willow varieties are ideal. Non-energy markets for energy grass crops are also presented ranging from animal bedding to the production of “reeds” for woodwind instruments.

These non-energy uses offer an opportunity to establish small areas of different energy crops for a wide range of markets and to assess their suitability for growth in a particular area prior to planting large areas for the biomass energy industry.