In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, as called for by the EU, two fundamentally different strands of action are required: on the one hand, the reduction of carbon emissions, and on the other, the creation of carbon sinks.

(source: Glen peters @ https://www.cicero.oslo.no/en/posts/climate-news/stylised-pathways-to-well-below-2c)

In the EU, this would require sequestering a carbon quantity on the order of 15% of 1990 emissions, or about 850 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. Without carbon sinks, also known as negative emissions, climate neutrality and thus the Paris climate goals cannot be achieved.

There are a number of viable methods for creating carbon sinks, also known as Negative Emission Technologies (NET), that actively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The key to carbon efficiency is sequestration (i.e., storage) over as long a period of time as possible.

(source: EBI White Paper adjusted from MCC)

The European Biochar Certificate (EBC) for quality control was supplemented in June 2020 with a new standard for carbon sink certification (EBC, 2020). This provided a scientifically sound basis for quantifying the overall carbon sink performance of biochar applications. Key elements include:

1. Biomass production must be carbon neutral, i.e., it must not impact existing carbon sinks.
2. Emissions from the entire charring process (pyrolysis) must be subtracted. In particular, this includes emissions associated with the transport and processing of the biomass, any post-treatment, and the energy required to start the pyrolysis process.
3. Emissions from transporting the biochar to the point of use and, if applicable, emissions from further processing of the biochar must also be subtracted.
4. The final use of the biochar determines the durability of the carbon sink. For example, for soil applications, a scientifically based annual decay must be assumed. However, if the biochar is used as a sand replacement in concrete, for example, this is not necessary because the biochar cannot oxidize in the absence of air.

Der Beitrag Biochar as Negative Emission Technology (NET) erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

Der Beitrag FAIRS & EVENTS 2020/21: Meet PYREG in Birmingham & Shanghai erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

Der Beitrag PYREG GOES CZECH REPUBLIC: Plant for sewage sludge recycling will soon go into operation erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

The reason given for this step was ” that the substances ‘biochar’ (…) comply with the objectives and principles of organic production”. It is to be hoped that the authorisation will also soon be compatible with the objectives and principles of conventional farming. Because, whether organic or conventional: Already during the production of biochar, a large part of the carbon contained in the biomass is stably stored in the biochar and not released as CO₂. If the “green coal” is spread on the field together with manure, slurry or compost, the carbon remains bound in the soil for centuries, nutrient leaching into the groundwater is reduced, and instead it accelerates the humus formation and thus the storage of a multiple of CO₂. It is not without reason that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has declared the use of biochar in conjunction with humus formation to be an important strategy in the fight against global warming.

Der Beitrag BIOCHAR: Approval for organic farming throughout the EU erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

In addition to the German Biochar Association Fachverband Pflanzenkohle and the International Biochar Initiative (IBI), the new consortium aims above all to bundle the interests of the (biochar) industry and further promote market development for the production and use of biochar. PYREG is one of the founding members of the EBI and is of course also a member of the Fachverband Pflanzenkohle and IBI. Because only together can great things be achieved.

Der Beitrag NEW ASSOCIATION: PYREG is a founding member of European Biochar Industry Consortium erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

The advantage: Untreated manure such as liquid manure consists largely of water and sometimes contains high concentrations of endocrine disruptors or drug residues. Separation, drying and carbonation drastically reduce the amount of liquid manure and result in a hygienised, dry, storable and transportable recycling fertilizer. In addition, large quantities of CO2 emissions are saved.

Greenhouse trials have already shown that the fertilizing effect of carbon fertilizers is just as good as that of conventional mineral fertilizers. Two field trials with maize near Bingen (Germany) and Bell (Germany) should now confirm these results.

German Television has reported about our project. The report, unfortunately only in German language, can be viewed here in the media library of the SWR.

Der Beitrag MANURE-PROJECT: Recycled carbon fertilizer spread for field trials erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

→ VIDEO: Impressions from the first joint conference in Baden-Baden, where our first activated carbon plant recently went into operation, can be found here on Youtube.

Der Beitrag VIDEO: Activated Carbon from local biomass waste erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.

PROJECT DETAILS “RE-DIRECT”, Baden-Baden

• • Customer: City of Baden-Baden, Department of Environmental Technology
  • Location Site: Baden-Baden, Germany
  • System: PYREG Unit A500, in operation since 2019
  • European Research Project RE-DIRECT (part of the European Research Program INTERREG North-West Europe NWE): Regional development and integration of unused biomass wastes as resources for circular products and economic transformation, 2016-2019.
  • Aim of project: Converting residual biomass into biogas & activated carbon at smart regional decentralised units. The project involves 11 partners from Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland and UK.
  • The PYREG plant A500 will be used to refine the press cake that is produced from the biomass during biogas production into activated carbon. The activated carbon will then be used in wastewater treatment.

→ LINK: Here you can find out more about the project, the partners involved, the current project newsletter and much more…

PYREG is also involved in another regional activated carbon research project:

PROJECT DETAILS “CO-ACT”, Lake Constance District

• • The research project “CoAct” is part of the German Funding Measure „Stadt-Land-Plus“, funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), coordinated by the University of Kassel
  • Aim of the project is to be carried out how energy and activated carbon can be obtained from green waste from municipal landscape management (leaves, grass cuttings) or agriculture (fruit tree cuttings) at Lake Constance District. 2018-2023
  • Project partners: University of Kassel, Competence Centre for Climate Protection and Adaptation (CliMa), Institute for Energy and Environment (ifeu), Institute for Rural Structural Development Frankfurt, DVGW Water Technology Centre, Lake Constance Foundation, Krieg & Fischer Company, Lake Constance District, City of Friedrichshafen

→ LINK: Here you can find out more about the project here on the official project website of the Lake Constance Foundation.

Der Beitrag PREMIERE: First PYREG plant for production of activated carbon is in operation erschien zuerst auf PYREG GmbH.