A method is proposed by which pyrolysis rates of biomass materials can be predicted from the species compositions in terms of the basic constituents (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and their individual kinetic parameters. The activation energies, frequency factors and reaction orders for cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin have been determined in a conventional manner. The measured rates of pyrolysis of different biomass species (hazelnut, wood, olive husk and rice husk) compare well with literature data.