Biomass material, including sawdust, rice husks, peanut shells, coconut fibres and palm fruit fibres. was densified into briquettes at modest pressures of 5-7 MPa using a piston and die type of press. The briquettes were tested to evaluate their relaxation behaviour, mechanical strength and burning characteristics. The sawdust briquettes were found to have better overall handling characteristics. But briquettes of different biomass materials required different optimum conditions of fabrication and generally showed a promising potential for further development. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.