COMPOST and BIOCHAR EU28 standardization for low carbon economy
and reducing mineral fertilisers/chemicals
REFERTIL
BRIDGE – Stakeholder event, 4
thEdward Someus
(coordinator and key technology designer)
http://www.refertil.info - http://www.agrocarbon.com biochar@3ragrocarbon.com
fertilisers/chemicals use in agriculture.
COMPOST and BIOCHAR EU28 standardization for low carbon economy
and reducing mineral /chemicals
REFERTIL
th
July 2013. Budapest, Hungary
Edward Someus
(coordinator and key technology designer)
http://www.agrocarbon.com
@3ragrocarbon.com
/chemicals use in agriculture.
THE REFERTIL CONSORTIUM
The REFERTIL partnership is bringing experts, researchers and SMEs industrial partners from variety of sectors together with local stakeholders.
http://www.refertil.info
Participant organization Country Activity TERRA HUMANA Kft. -
Coordinator & biochar key tech RTD + designer
HU Company
Plant Research International,
Wageningen NL RES
Aarhus University DK University
The Knowledge Centre for
Agriculture DK Advisory
Centre University of Torino,
Agroinnova Italy University
experts, a local
http://www.refertil.info
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Universitaet Hannover DE University Biomasa del Guadalquivir
S.A. E SME
TWI Ltd. UK RES
WESSLING Lab Hungary Kft. HU Company
KOTO d.o.o. SLO SME
Comune di Grugliasco Italy City Council Renetech Bioresources Ltd. IRL SME
Profikomp Zrt HU SME
REFERTIL FOCUS
The REFERTIL project is
recycling of biowastes into biochar reduce the dependence on
Phosphorus and energy supply resources,
contributing to the transformation streams from Europe’s agriculture
http://www.agrocarbon.com streams from Europe’s agriculture
contributing to the international compost/ biochar products, and
providing strong policy support Enterprise and Industry DG compost and biochar products REGULATION and EU28 law
REFERTIL FOCUS
biochar and compost products that on mined and non renewable energy-intensive Nitrogen
transformation of the organic bio-waste agriculture and food industries,
http://www.agrocarbon.com
agriculture and food industries,
international standardization of and
support to the European Commission DG + other DG’s for regulation of products under the NEW FERTILIZER
harmonization.
THE REFERTIL ACTIVITIES: markets, products and policies
Biochar produced by modern zero emission pyrolysis process
THE REFERTIL ACTIVITIES: markets, products and policies
ACTIVE POLICY SUPPORT
for EC Enterprise and Industry DG.
Biochar produced by modern zero emission pyrolysis process
THE REFERTIL OBJECTIVES
IMPROVEMENT of the currently
and biochar production processes efficiency and (environmental
SME user specific and practical Objective driven zero emission and biochar productions and nutrients, such as phosphorous nutrients, such as phosphorous
Technical-economical-environmental biochar processing technologies
technologies.
IMPROVEMENT of the quality products (compost and bio-char from the field) with established EU28 applications.
Low Carbon Economy: economical development by ecological restoration
THE REFERTIL OBJECTIVES
currently used composting treatment processes (technical and cost) and human health) safety, with practical field method results.
emission processing goal of compost maximised efficient recovery of phosphorous and nitrogen.
phosphorous and nitrogen.
environmental evaluation of 7 technologies and 15 compost treatment
quality and safety of the final char application value and results established common quality standards for
: economical development by ecological restoration
Measurable and verifiable
The REFERTIL is applied science generation for environment
developments and EU28 EC/MS in the field of improved & safe
All EU available and economically materials characterization >200 BAT technical-economical-enviro processing technologies and processing technologies and technologies.
2000 tons input bio-waste treat
different types of high quality compost 100 m3 of different types of biochar inputs.
3 economically important
tests from year two in 6 counties
Applied science to achieve knowledge based industrial results
Measurable and verifiable REFERTIL performance
science & technology knowledge
& market based economical EC/MS law harmonization support safe organic waste management.
economically important bio-waste feed 200 million t/y in EU28.
enviro evaluation of 7 biochar and 15 compost treatment and 15 compost treatment treatment from which 600 tons compost production.
biochar production from different food crop plant growth field counties.
Applied science to achieve knowledge based industrial results
THE REFERTIL BENEFITS FOR EUROPE
Improving technical, field economical
bio-waste processing and nutrient recycling biochar and composting technologies Increasing the competitiveness management industries.
Ecosafe organic products for affordable Biochar/compost products for SME farmer Establish clean understanding for
and farmers, possibly differentiated and farmers, possibly differentiated economic area considerations.
New and progressive opportunities biochar activated composts, which economical.
Establish enhanced common quality waste treatment, compost and requirements.
The valorisation of organic waste
biochar/compost products is a profitable creates new jobs even in economically
Conversion of European knowledge into economical development
THE REFERTIL BENEFITS FOR EUROPE
economical and environmental efficiency of the recycling by advanced and integrated technologies.
competitiveness of agricultural and bio-waste affordable market price.
farmer EU28 applications.
all stakeholders, especially SME’s differentiated for different European climatic and differentiated for different European climatic and
opportunities reached by improved and novel which is safer, better, faster and more
quality standard requirements for bio- and bio-char quality and trading waste and converting it into safe profitable new industrial sector that economically difficult times.
Conversion of European knowledge into economical development
REFERTIL POLICY SUPPORT
• Minimizing or substitution chemosynthetic inputs in
• Ensuring an EQUIVALENT ENVIRONMENT, PLANT
throughout the EU with harmonised covering all fertilising
fertilisers, organic fertilisers and
• GUARANTEE to farmers fair
about the minimal nutrient content
• INTRODUCE more detailed health safety requirements.
• Establishing ESSENTIAL
EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
EU28 fertilizer law harmonization
REFERTIL POLICY SUPPORT - THE MAIN CHALLENGES
substitution of agro chemical and safe food crop production.
EQUIVALENT PROTECTION of the AND HUMAN HEALTH harmonised system of controls materials including mineral and soil improvers.
fair information and reliability content.
detailed environmental and human
SAFETY and AGRONOMIC REQUIREMENTS.
EU28 fertilizer law harmonization
SAFETY ISSUE
CURRENT LEGAL SITUATION Fertilisers Reg. (EC) No 2003/2003 be included in Annex 1 if: […] (c) it does not adversely affect human,
environment” but it does not include on how to address these risks
FURTHER REVISION IS NEEDED
to introduce more detailed environmental for biochar products.
for biochar products.
PROBLEMS & CHALLENGES:
The term ‘safety requirements’
legislation nor is a common
ABSENCE of an accepted risk on biochar products.
Complexity of the biochar safety
understanding of what safety assessments
Improving food safety and human health preventive protection
SAFETY ISSUE
SITUATION: Article 14(c) of current 2003: “A type of fertiliser may only (c) under normal conditions of use human, animal, or plant health, or the include a detailed methodology risks.
NEEDED:
environmental safety requirements
requirements’ is neither defined in the EU understanding in place.
risk assessment methodology
safety and a lack of common assessments should include.
Improving food safety and human health preventive protection
BASIC LEGAL SITUATION
1. MINERAL FERTILIZERS HAVE 27 level Reg. (EC) No 2003/2003 2. NATIONAL PROVISIONS for
fertilisers’.
ABSENCE of a harmonized system The Fertilisers Regulation does
MS SPECIFIC Legislations Large PRODUCERS CAN CHOSE:
fertilisers’.
MUTUAL RECOGNITION (Reg community movement of national National MS LEGISLATIONS ARE EU27 POTENTIAL BARRIERS
Coherently integrated EU and MS fertilizer regulations
BASIC LEGAL SITUATION – need for policy support
HAVE BEEN REGULATED AT THE EU 2003.
for marketing of FM = ‘national
system for all FM.
not affect the ‘national fertilisers’.
Large differences
‘EC fertilisers’ OR ‘national
(Reg. (EC) No 764/2008) for intra- national registered fertilisers.
ARE NOT IDENTICAL throughout the BARRIERS to mutual recognition.
Coherently integrated EU and MS fertilizer regulations
THE 7 BIOCHAR AND COMPOST POLICY OPTIONS
1. BASELINE SCENARIO (NO POLICY CHANGE the EU legislation. – not suitable for compost 2. REPEAL of the existing 2003/2003 Reg
legislation. - not suitable for compost
3. VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT BY INDUSTRY framework. - not suitable for compost
4. FULL HARMONISATION OF FM - 2003/2003 Reg. – no flexibility – innovative but safe solutions.
5. FULL HARMONISATION for all FM
AND ADDITIVES. – made for chemical substances with substantial variations 6. FULL HARMONISATION for all
REQUIREMENTS: Human and animal AGRONOMIC CRITERIA – best suitable and safe regulation
7. COMBINATION of 1-6. - over-complex
Flexible consideration for EC and MS policy options
THE 7 BIOCHAR AND COMPOST POLICY OPTIONS
CHANGE) – national legislation coexists with compost and biochar regulation
Reg. reliance on other existing EU and national compost and biochar regulation
INDUSTRY in addition to existing legislative compost and biochar regulation
BASED ON THE CURRENT FORMAT of – limited alternatives – not supporting
– AUTHORISED LIST OF INGREDIENTS chemical industry and not suitable for bio- variations.
FM – NEW APPROACH, SAFETY animal safety, respect of the environment, suitable for biochar and compost adaptation
complex
Flexible consideration for EC and MS policy options
REFERTIL related EU legislations
• REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907
• Waste Framework Directive 2008
• Legislation on health rules as regarded derived products not intended
Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009
• Eco-label for growing media (EC) No 66/2010;
• Council Regulation (EC) No 834
• Council Regulation (EC) No 834 and labelling of organic products
• Plant Protection Products Regulation
• POPs Regulation (EC) No 850
• Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 certain contaminants in foodstuffs
• Directive 2000/29/EC on plant health
• Landfill Directive 99/31/EC;
• Industrial Emission Directive (IED
Complex EC regulations for improved food and human health safety
REFERTIL related EU legislations
1907/2006;
2008/98/EC – EoW criteria;
regarded animal by-products and intended for human consumption -
2009;
and soil improvers - Regulation 834/2007 on organic production 834/2007 on organic production products;
Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009;
850/2004;
2006 setting maximum levels for foodstuffs;
health;
(IED 2010/75/EU)
Complex EC regulations for improved food and human health safety
Based on the REFERTIL results distinction should be made between bone biochar
Plant biochar:
• >90% w/w high carbon content plant
• micro and meso porous (1 nm – 50
• high water holding and nutrient retention
• no soil fertilization effects. Can be recognised ABC: Animal Bone bioChar NPK
• The input animal bone meal is food
• The input is food
product with economical importance, (2-3 million t/y) which concentrated critically and strategically important
RESOURCE.
• <20% w/w low carbon and high calcium content
• macro porous (50 nm – 63k nm)
• Containing significant amount of
• Can be recognised as organic fertiliser
Advanced BIOCHAR strategy with alternative solutions
Based on the REFERTIL results distinction should be biochar and plant biochar:
plant origin
nm) carboniferous product,
retention capacity and C sequestration, recognised as soil improver? YES NPK-C ORGANIC FERTILIZER
food grade category 3 rendering by- food grade category 3 rendering by- importance, produced in large industrial scale concentrated high P content apatite is an important inside EU natural and RENEWABLE calcium phosphate/ apatite mineral
of MINERAL nutrients.
fertiliser? YES
Advanced BIOCHAR strategy with alternative solutions
If the land needs 61.5 kg P2O5/ha
Biochar Amount (kg/ha)
ABC-bc/7 211
ABC-bc/10 202
G-bc/1 32 430
G-bc/2 16 783
ABC -- vs -- Plant Biochar:
Fertilization effect comparision
G-bc/2 16 783
Dk-bc/1 583 742 Dk-bc/2 274 001 Fertiplus-bc 20 655
Fr-bc/1 6 103
Fr-bc/2 63 181
It-bc/1 98 359
UK-bc/1 86 900
CONCULSIONS:
1. ABC 2. Plant
at
3. Enduser
End-user farmer point of view ECONOMY is
Plant Biochar:
between the application doses
CONCULSIONS:
ABC is full value organic P fertilizer, NPK-C.
Plant based biochar having direct fertilizer value only at extreme high doses. Dose: =5 t/ha but <20 t/ha.
Enduser farmer point of view ECONOMY is key driver.
farmer point of view ECONOMY is the key BIOCHAR driver
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS for
PRODUCT SAFETY EVAULATION potential key contaminants having
human, plant health and the environment
Accredited analysis in Wessling
• >25 different compost products
• 18 different biochar products MAIN CRITERIONS:
MAIN CRITERIONS:
Criterion 1: HEAVY METALS Minimum indicators: Cd, Cu, Zn (manure !) and Se
Criterion 2: ORGANIC POLLUTANTS Minimum indicators: PAHs,
Criterion 3: MICROBIOLOGICAL
Minimum indicators: Salmonella
Environmental and human safety prime objective
for COMPOST AND BIOCHAR EVAULATION: determination of the
having negative effects on the environment.
Wessling laboratory:
products from 6 countries products from 7 countries.
Cd, Ni, CrVI, Cr total, Hg, Pb, As + Se
POLLUTANTS
PAHs, PCBs, PCDD, PCDF MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
Salmonella spp, E. coli.
Environmental and human safety prime objective
THANK YOU!
CONTACT:
Mr. Edward
Coordinator
E-mail: biochar@3ragrocarbon.com http://www.
http://www.agrocarbon.com
The REFERTIL (289785) Collaborative project is co
Directorate General for Research, within the 7th Framework Programme of RTD, Theme 2 - Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology.
THANK YOU!
CONTACT:
. Edward Someus
Coordinator
@3ragrocarbon.com http://www.refertil.info
www.agrocarbon.com
The REFERTIL (289785) Collaborative project is co-funded by the European Commission, Directorate General for Research, within the 7th Framework Programme of RTD,
Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology.
