The Project
The CASCADE project, part of the Interreg NWE initiative, aims to address the significant waste of 37 million tonnes of residual biomass per year in North West Europe (NWE), representing a potential saving of over 30 million tonnes of CO2. Previous successful projects have demonstrated the conversion of this biomass into biochar to replace fossil coal and peat, creating carbon negative products and value chains.
The project aims to introduce circular carbon management systems in seven pilot regions in France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland. The collaboration involves public authorities, scientific institutes and private/non-governmental R&D organisations.
The project focuses on three main objectives:
- Firstly, the implementation, management and optimisation of biomass to biochar product and value chains in the seven pilot regions, taking into account different input sources and optimising recovery, production, processing and conversion modes.
- Second, quality control and continuous improvement of the regional CASCADE pilot projects based on technological, environmental, economic and social criteria.
- Thirdly, the design and implementation of a CASCADE capacity building programme for the implementation of biomass to biochar value chains in the project and subsequent regions.
In addition, a CASCADE Centre of Excellence & TechLab will be established to provide hybrid quality management and capacity building services, including training, development activities, roadshows and exhibitions for carbon products, services and systems.
AIM
CASCADE is a strategic initiative to transform the way residual biomass is managed in North-West Europe. By introducing carbon management systems in seven pilot regions, the project aims to close the gap in existing biomass recovery and conversion technologies by creating sustainable, circular biomass-to-biochar value chains.
Project results
CASCADE expects to achieve the following by the end of the project:
- Successful implementation of carbon management systems in seven pilot regions, which will serve as a blueprint for other NWE regions.
Reduction of CO2 emissions through the creation of circular, CO2-negative biomass-to-biochar processes. - Establish a capacity building programme and a Centre of Excellence & TechLab to support ongoing training, development and dissemination of project methodologies.
- Develop transferable application scenarios to facilitate the large-scale deployment of these systems across Europe.
Budget
- Total project budget: €4 million
- EU funding: € 2,4 million
Project duration
2023 – 2026
Number of Partners
The CASCADE project aims to develop and implement circular carbon management systems in seven pilot regions (Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium and France) in North West Europe (NWE).