The Spanish technology centre, Eurecat, is implementing a resource valorisation strategy by converting residues from sustainable forest management into new materials, including biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More, for environmental applications. These applications are focused on the decontamination of waters and the regeneration of degraded soils.

This initiative is driven by the goal of establishing the foundations for a sustainable forest management system that provides both ecological and economic value to forests while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. It represents a concrete effort to foster the bioeconomy by valorising forest biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More that would otherwise be considered waste.

The project is called the BIOFORIN project, which stands for BIOregional management of FORest resources for the new INdustrial bioeconomy (Gestión BIOregional de los recursos FORestales para la nueva bioeconomía INdustrial), is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting regional bioeconomy and climate resilience by fostering the research and development of new, value-added applications for forest resources. The aim of the project, led by the Bioenergy Catalonia Cluster, is to work across the entire forestry value chain to encourage bioproduct creation and mitigate waste.

The project is being supported by the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) in Spain. Furthermore, the work is financially backed by the European Union under its post-pandemic recovery instrument, NextGenerationEU.

This development highlights the potential for converting underutilised biomass resources into functional materials that offer environmental benefits, supporting a circular approach to resource management.

SOURCE: Eurecat transforma residuos forestales en biocarbón para descontaminar aguas y regenerar suelos