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Business case study on sidestream biomass potential for Ireland

Identification of opportunities for biomass sidestream valorisation for the Biomass Innovation Design hub in Ireland

Published on 06-03-2017 15:55:17 by AGRIFORVALOR

Based on a prioritized SWOT, needs from practitioners, sidestreams and volumes available, available research techniques and good practices AGRIFORVALOR described promising business cases as opportunities to invest / focus in the future in the hub.

In Ireland large volumes of grass, forestry residues and sawmill residues and animal slurries are offering diverse valorization opportunities: Anaerobic digestion (AD) of animal slurry/manure and food waste or crop residues can be used to produce biogas, fertilizer and soil conditioner. Biogas can be used for heating purposes or generation of electricity. Installations can be built on farm scale, minimizing transport costs. Small scale grass biorefineries can be installed producing biogas, fibres, feed, proteinaceous products and eventually also lactic acids. Valorization of sawmill residues through pyrolysis, producing bio-oil, syngas and biochar. The bio-oil can be used as bio-fuel in the automotive sector (and marine sector) or for the production of biochemicals, the syngas can be used for heating purposes or in the generation of electricity through CHP. In case of fragmented supply, small scale installations (e.g. mobile pyrolysis installation or torrefaction) are viable options processing feedstocks at the mill. Although there is a clear policy support for production of renewable energy and biobased materials, clear incentives have to be put in place to stimulate a long term viable market for a green economy.

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