Menu
Menu
Developing a sustainable alternative solution from unutilized farm biomass
The Biomass to Bichar project funded under EIP-Agri aims to demonstrate how unwanted or underutilized agricultural biomass such as rushes, gorse, bracken and hazel, can be used to produce biochar through a life cycle approach for current management practices and farm vegetative control.
The unused portion of agriculture & forestry biomass are subjected to pyrolysis (low oxygen environment at 400-800 C) to generate biochar which when mixed with other crop residues, food waste forms Terra Preta (one of the richest soils in planet. Biochar when added to silage improves food production efficiency, livestock housing environment, improves soil carbon, increases pH, improves nutritional value. Whilst most of the project focus is on rushes, other currently unutilized biomass streams such as bracken, furze and hazel will also form part of the project workload. Other biomass streams will be considered on a case by case basis. This pilot project is in East Clare is utilizing a mobile pyrolysis unit (MPU) which has been custom-built in Ireland and towed by a tractor/truck to visit sites.
The global biochar market size was valued at $184.90 million in 2022 & is projected to grow from $204.69 million in 2023 to $450.58 million by 2030
When incorporated into soils, biochar enhances soil fertility, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity. Its porous structure provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, improving soil health and promoting plant growth. Biochar is also highly effective at sequestering carbon in soil with a mean residence time of about 2,000 years. Based on European emissions of about 1.1 giga-tonnes of carbon per year, we estimate that biochar could offset around 9% of Europe's emissions.
Creates a value chain of circular economy from unused forestry products, creates jobs for local farmers and practitioners. Farmers have the opportunity to keep and use the biochar on their farm.
Biochar cooperative, farmers, foresters, product market actors (e.g., agricultural suppliers, feed suppliers, gardening suppliers, energy suppliers)
Underutilized agricultural biomass such as rushes, gorse, bracken and haze
7
Biomass to biochar
Pyrolysis
Biochar
NA
Ireland
2014
Subscribe to our newsletter for news updates…
Consortium
Subscribe to our newsletter for news updates…
Consortium
© InformBio • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy • Site by Bright Idea
© InformBio • All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy • Site by Bright Idea