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Foreword

A recently published systematic review about biomass sustainability presents the results of BBSRC-funded research  conducted by the Institute of Biological and Environmental    Sciences at the University of Aberdeen and supported by Drax. The research paper presents a systematic review examining the sustainability of  biomass feedstocks,      particularly focused on three    key metrics: soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, biodiversity, and water use efficiency      (WUE). The review covered two main biomass feedstock sources - woody biomass from      forestry/short rotation coppice (SRC) and the energy grass crop Miscanthus.

The meta-analysis results showed that conversion from arable to forestry can have positive sequestration rates on mineral soils, but conversion on organic soils like peat can lead to losses. Miscanthus showed no   preference for soil type. Biodiversity impacts differed by trophic level, with no significant impacts on invertebrates but significant differences between feedstocks for vertebrates. WUE was significantly higher for Miscanthus and SRC compared to forestry, indicating they may be more resilient to future water stress.

Syngenta encourages farmers to consider using hybrid barley as an alternative feedstock crop to maize for anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to generate biogas. Syngenta area business manager, Henrietta Wells, suggests that hybrid barley can be used to spread workloads and risk, especially in cases of poor maize harvests. Wholecrop HYVIDO® hybrid barley offers a flexible buffer crop to supplement maize in AD plants, grown either in addition to or instead of wholecrop rye. In seasons with plentiful maize silage, harvesting wholecrop hybrid barley later as mature grain is easier, making it easier to sell. Syngenta hybrid barley vigour enhanced defence against two of the major yield-robbing diseases alongside increased vigour and yields. Its earlier harvesting date is useful due to earlier access to feedstock compared to maize, allowing to spread harvest workloads, and permitting a longer window for field cultivations and planting a following crop.

Other News this Month Includes:

Policy

• Green Alliance - Policy barriers to greening the chemicals industry
• Regional policy for biomanufacturing in the North-West chemical sector
• More...

Markets

• European biofuel feedstock market at a standstill with activity expected to resume in 2025
• Topsoe chosen as technology provider for HOLBORN’s Hamburg renewable fuels refinery
• More...

Research & Development

• Are biomass feedstocks sustainable? A systematic review of three keysustainability metrics
• Co-fermentation process making significant strides in biofuel research
• Hydroprocessing of renewable feedstocks – Challenges and solutions

Wood & Crop

• Hybrid barley an attractive feedstock alternative
• Global charity calls for end to EU incentives for crop-based biofuels
• More...

Biorefinery

• Her Majesty Queen Máxima to open the world’s first FDCA Flagship Plant
• Inauguration of CIRCULAR BIOCARBON biorefinery marks a new era in circular economy
• Lygos and CJ BIO partner on commercial-scale biorefinery complex in fort dodge, IOWA, to bring high-performing, sustainable solutions to market

Other Feedstocks

• A shot of whisky and some chemical feedstocks please

Events

Feedstock Prices