Innovative biochar-based approaches to soil regeneration and fertilisation

By project CITISYSTEM

Published on 07 February 2024

Slovakia

About this good practice

The world is currently facing global challenges - the amount of bio-waste, which makes up to 45% of municipal waste, the degradation of about 30% of arable land, the lack of green energy and the increase in CO2. The answer to these problems is a comprehensive solution for the treatment of bio-waste and the final biochar substrate. Biochar is a commodity that can give life back to the soil.
Green energy and bio-carbon are produced in a sustainable way by processing waste material: biodegradable waste after bacterial treatment is fermented to produce green energy by retaining methane. The biomass thus energised is then mechanically and subsequently thermally treated. In this case, composting is only an intermediate step towards a more efficient solution - the production of biochar by pyrolysis. The biochar is then mixed with a number of natural (and often waste) ingredients to produce the regenerative and nutritious soil substrate Effeco.
Biochar substrate positives:
• Contributes to improving soil quality, also brings an accelerated biochar production process – to revitalise degraded soil up to he highest category.
• Contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Retains part of the irrigation in the soil
• When produced from bio-waste, renewable energy is obtained
• The potential for the use of biochar extends to many sectors
Stakeholders and beneficiaries of the practice can be local communities, urban agglomerations, industries and the agronomic sector

Resources needed

The Biograda project has received several grants from EU, has been awarded the Seal of Ecellence by the EC, grants from Ministry of Environment & the Ministry of Economy - the total amount of public support = EUR 10 million.

Evidence of success

Technological complex is patented in 58 countries, biochar substrate in 54 countries.
It has been awarded the Seal of Excellence in the EU.
In the pilot plant in Horní Jatov, kitchen waste from the capital is treated for 500 thous. and green and kitchen waste from a region of 200,000 inhabitants. The plant sells part of its energy to the public grid.
Laboratory results have been published in prestigious journals collaborations with several foreign universities in the form of EU projects

Potential for learning or transfer

Adopting BIOGRADA's practices in EU regions offers significant benefits. By converting bio-waste to biochar, cities can reduce landfill waste, aiding EU waste reduction targets and fostering sustainable urban development. This approach revitalizes soils, enhancing agriculture and local food security. It also aligns with EU goals for renewable energy and carbon neutrality, contributing to climate change mitigation. The project stimulates local economies through job creation in green sectors and drives innovation in waste management and renewable technologies. BIOGRADA's model makes EU cities more sustainable, resilient, and self-sufficient.
For a plant in Slovakia, total investment costs were about €50 million for processing cca 120,000 tonnes of bio-waste per year, producing 42,500 MWh of energy, 6,800 t of liquid bio CO2 and 20-25,000 bio-carbon substrate. Possible obstacles to be considered – e.g. need of numerous patents. Project is scalable from 15+ k tones of biowaste.