NEWAPP Biochar market for soil conditioning Bárbara de Mena ttz Bremerhaven NEWAPP Workshop EUBCE 2015 Vienna - Austria

Contents 1.Biochar /Hydrochar: advantages for soil application 2.Biochar – Properties 3.Biochar – Difficulties 4.Hydrochar – Advantages 5.Hydrochar – Difficulties 6.Potential market: Substitution of peat 7.Challenges and opportunities 2 /13

Biochar /Hydrochar 3 /13 Most data so far refers to pyrolysis biochar (=„biochar“) Some data for hydrothermal carbonization char (=„hydrochar“)... But still research needed

Biochar /Hydrochar: advantages Both a significant, long-term sink for CO 2 in terrestrial ecosystems Positive effects in reducing emmissions, and Increasing the sequestration of GHG, and Application on soil delivers immediate benefits 4 /13

Biochar – Properties High cation exchange capacity Increases the soil water holding capacity Excellent habitat for microorganisms (micropores) Enhances mycorrhizal activity, which increases nutrient cycling Adsorption of heavy metals Reduction of leaching of nutrients 5 /13

Biochar - Difficulties Properties depend on feedstock and process Increases yields in degraged and low-fertility soils, not for already fertile sites Practical: Application without wetting can result in high losses Perceived as expensive 6 /13

Hydrochar – Advantages Less likely to deteriorate in storage Very high meso- and micro porous surface area =increased water holding capacity =promotes microbial colony growth 7 /13

Hydrochar – Difficulties Soil amendment with hydrochar has not been thoroughly researched Germination inhibition Different effects on soil microbial communities, depending on feedstock Avoidance behavior described in some invertebrates 8 /13

Potential market: Substitution of peat Peat dominates the market for substrates (average content 93%) 9 /13 Source: Garten e.V., 2010

Potential market: Substitution of peat Peat use in the EU: - 22 Mm 3 for professional horticulture (86% peat) -15 Mm3 for hobby gardening (69% peat) More than 29 Mm 3 of peat used yearly 10 /13

Substitution of peat: Economic dimension High variability of prices depending on supplier, type, etc. 11 /13 Aiming at a replacement of just 15% (ca. 4,4 Mm 3 ) for soil conditioning, the market volume excedes 100 Mio. €

Challenges and opportunities 1.Challenges Development of standards (NEWAPP is working on this!) Detoxification of hydrochar (i.e. composting) Research needed in other areas 2.Opportunities: Increase soil fertility / Prevent leaching of nutrients Carbon sequestration Decrease GHG emmisions from soil Waste management strategy 12 /13

Bárbara De Mena ttz Bremerhaven Fischkai, Bremerhaven Tel. : Thank you for your attention!