The added value of biochar application for sustainable land use
Biochar from residual biomass is a valuable and sustainable end product that can be used as a soil improver: this is the premise of the BASTA project.
We work (further) on residual flows from agro, agri-food and fishery activities, which are processed into compost, plant fibers, biochar and chitin. The final goal is to come up with technically sound and economically interesting cultivation substrates, in collaboration with a number of partners who contribute their practical knowledge.
Sustainable up-cycling of agro-, agrofood and fisheries residues in horticulture and agriculture as bioenergy, biochar and chitin-rich products
Biochar should replace potting soil in strawberry cultivation: "A much more sustainable soil improver"
Biochar should eventually replace conventional potting soil in an ecologically responsible way.
Less peat in substrates for horticulture thanks to compost, wood fiber, biochar and chitin
Horti-BlueC webinar 1: Large scale gasification for energy and biochar production
The produced charred material, named biochar, is rich in carbon and has the potential to help mitigate climate change via C sequestration. When added to growing media, biochar can increase the fertility, horticultural productivity and the resistance of plants against specific foliar and soil-borne diseases.
Horti-BlueC webinar 5: LCA on biochar in new growing media blends for strawberry and tomato
Four webinars took place in 2021 and the series will be completed with a webinar on the results of the LCA for new growing media blends with biochar for strawberry and tomato. Horti-BlueC webinar 5 is planned for March 25th 14:00-15:30 CET (13:00-14:30 GMT).
Horti-BlueC webinar 3: Spent growing media for direct reuse or as a feedstock for biochar and compost
Spent growing media can be directly reused or can be processed into biochar or compost. Partners Horti-BlueCWebsite Horti-BlueC for more information and updates: Horti-BlueC (horti-bluec.eu)
Main research questionBASTA envisages producing biochar from residual biomass resulting in an economically valuable and sustainable end product for applications in (1) manure and biomass processing; (2) growing media; and (3) open fields.
Main research questionThe FERTIPLUS project assists the EU in the design and implementation of innovative strategies and technologies for the recycling of waste to both compost and biochar for use in agriculture. Bio-waste has a great potential for conversion into bio-energy or as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Research approachILVO is involved in activities on biochar-based fertilizers and cascading use of biochar and biomass. The objective of this activity is to assess the characteristics and the added value as renewable fertilizer of combinations of biochar with products of waste treatment processes.