In Germany, the climate technology firm Novocarbo, alongside its parent company Hevella Carbon, has established a long-term commercial agreement with the municipal utilities provider Stadtwerke Dessau. This partnership centers on the construction and operation of the Carbon Removal Park Dessau. The planned facility will process biogenic residues, specifically wood chips and fruit pits, through pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More to produce both 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 and sustainable thermal energy. The generated heat will subsequently supply the local district heating network operated by Fernwärmebedarf GmbH Dessau, providing a climate-oriented alternative for the municipality.

Municipal energy providers face significant logistical and infrastructural hurdles in transitioning established municipal heating networks away from fossil fuels toward climate neutrality. Stadtwerke Dessau operates under a strict sustainability mandate requiring the integration of at least thirty percent renewable energy or unavoidable waste heat into its systems by the year 2030. Intermittent renewable sources often struggle to provide the continuous thermal baseload required for district heating grids. Consequently, securing reliable, regional climate-oriented energy alternatives that simultaneously promote local economic development remains a central operational challenge for municipal utilities.

To address these municipal requirements, Novocarbo will construct a localized pyrolysis facility that transforms regional 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 into durable carbon and usable thermal energy. The continuous production process at the Carbon Removal Park Dessau captures the resulting sustainable heat and integrates it directly into the Dessau-Roßlau region’s existing infrastructure. By utilizing regional biogenic residues rather than purpose-grown feedstocks, the operation avoids supply chain disruptions and efficiently substitutes fossil-based heat generation while concurrently yielding a stable carbon product.

The commercial agreement guarantees the municipal purchase of up to 13.5 gigawatt-hours of heat annually, ensuring the continuous, cost-effective operation of the facility over a fifteen-year period following its scheduled commissioning by January 2028. Additionally, the biochar produced during this operation will supply various regional industries, with applications spanning agriculture, urban greening, and the construction sector. Ultimately, this collaboration provides a functional, scalable model for regional decarbonization through localized biomass processing and the direct integration of renewable thermal energy.