Biomass is already used in many different areas, for example for environmental and climate protection, for food security, as a building material, to produce bio-based plastics or for energy generation. In a discussion paper recently published, the state organization NRW.Energy4Climate outlines applications for the industrial use of biomass as well as how energy can be generated in a particularly sustainable and efficient way.
Due to its versatile applications as a raw material and renewable energy source, biomass plays a central role in achieving climate targets and reducing fossil greenhouse gas emissions. Both potential applications and uses of biomass as well as the associated demand are growing rapidly, which means that competition for its use has already started. Biomass as a sustainable resource must therefore be used strategically and prioritized according to availability. These are the conclusions drawn by the authors of the discussion paper titled "Sustainable Use of Biomass- The Role of Biomass in the Energy Transition and in a Climate-Neutral Industry."
"Not in all areas where biomass can be used will it also be sensible to do so in the future. It is important for us to use the paper for drawing attention to new important and hitherto little-known applications, such as material use in the chemical industry and metallurgy. We want to raise awareness of the need to use the valuable and limited resource of biomass wisely. The biomass utilization hierarchy we have developed is intended to aid in this regard," says Tania Begemann, Project Manager Industry & Production and one of the paper's authors.
Samir Khayat, Managing Director NRW.Energy4Climate adds:
"In addition to the conventional use of biomass, new use paths are currently emerging in the industry. It is now imperative that to take these into account when planning resource use and designing corresponding policy instruments. The paper is therfore an important contribution to the national biomass strategy currently being planned. An overhead strategy like this is very necessary."
The German government recently published cornerstones for the National Biomass Strategy (NABIS), which shall contribute to sustainable resource use as well as climate and biodiversity protection in the medium and long term. It already incorporates some of the recommendations and topics presented in the discussion paper. For example, the prioritization of biomass use and heightened efficiency through cascade or multiple use should be achieved.
The Biomass Utilization Hierarchy
The paper identifies three fields of biomass use: feedstock use, for example in metallurgy or the chemical industry; structural use in textiles, furniture, paper, and building materials; and energy use for providing electricity and heat or in the form of fuels. With each field of application come specific requirements for quality and composition of the biomass.
Unlike single and one-time use, multi-stage cascade use increases energy and material efficiency. Multi-stage cascade utilization is ideally preceded by multiple structural and material utilization. This is followed by energy recovery from biogenic waste and residual materials, often in the form of incineration. The discussion paper formulates demands on industry, research and politics in order to position the fields of application based on the biomass utilization hierarchy.
Recommended Actions
For researchers and companies to strengthen activities related to biomass, targeted and accelerated discussions as well as the definition and implementation of necessary tax and policy instruments are needed. New political frameworks are also required. The following aspects should be considered:
- Targeted subsidies to systematically promote the use and provision of biomass in sustainable fields of application, especially those that cannot be supplied by climate-neutral alternatives (in terms of raw material and energy requirements).
- Avoidance of misdirected incentives and investments in areas of application where high-quality biomass is used (e.g., low-temperature heat generation for buildings); adaptation of existing subsidies
- Strengthening value chains in which biomass can be used several times; biogenic waste and residual materials should have priority over freshly cultivated biomass.
The paper also highlights the areas where research and technology development are still needed. It also shows which data is still missing or needs to be updated in order to determine future requirements.
