Currently, different types of raw materials are under investigation to fulfil the demand for pellet-based renewable energy. The aim of this study was to experimentally quantify and characterise the gaseous and particulate matter (PM10) emissions from the combustion of a pelletised invasive species growing in the Portuguese coastal areas. The combustion of acacia pellets in a stove used for domestic heating led to a noticeable production of environmentally relevant contaminants, such as carbon monoxide (CO, 2468 +/- 485 mg MJ(-1)), sulphur dioxide (SO2, 222 +/- 115 mg MJ(-1)) and nitrogen oxides (NOx, 478 +/- 87 mg MJ(-1)). Besides gaseous pollutant emissions, substantial particle emissions (118 +/- 14 mg MJ(-1)) were also generated. Particles consisted mostly of inorganic matter, mainly alkaline metals, sulphur and chlorine. About 25%wt. of the PM10 emitted had carbonaceous nature. The chromatographically resolved organic compounds were dominated by anhydrosugars, especially levoglucosan (284 mu g g(-1) PM10), and several types of phenolic compounds. Retene (8.77 mu g g(-1) PM10) was the chief compound among polyaromatic hydrocarbons. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.