Processed locally: from biomass to biomass hubs
The local collection and processing of dry and wet biomass still presents many challenges. This conclusion was drawn by the B2BE Facilitator from the results of previous themes. The development of biomass hubs could provide a solution to this challenge for both the primary sector and the processing industry.
Theme 5: January 24 - December 24
Why would you set up a biomass hub?
During the earlier themes addressed by the B2BE Facilitator, the lack of local collection and processing points for small biomass streams was repeatedly identified as a bottleneck in the further development of the Flemish bioeconomy. Therefore, in the coming year, we will focus on the theme 'processed locally: from biomass to biomass hubs'. Close collaboration with Circular Flanders strengthens our actions and integrates them within the action points of the strategic agenda on bioeconomy.
Biomassa hubs have cross-sectoral impact
From various sectors, the demand for biomass hubs rises. In the primary sector, farmers often only have small volumes of biomass or by-products, which are unfortunately too limited to process profitably. Furthermore, farmers usually lack the technological expertise and storage capacity to stabilize the biomass or perform an initial processing step themselves. Establishing a local biomass hub could resolve this issue, as when farmers from the same region collaborate more effectively, they can gather a sufficiently large volume of biomass and invest in the right stabilization technologies. Moreover, the creation of new biomass hubs would not only positively impact the primary sector but also other sectors such as nature management, logistics chains (collectors, intermunicipalities...), and the broader industry (including the food, construction, agriculture, and materials industries).
The Moov study, which the B2BE Facilitator had conducted by VITO (in the context of Theme 1), also shows that there is potential in optimizing agricultural flows. Specifically for the Flemish flax sector, it was shown that positioning two hubs effectively could reduce transportation costs by 10% and result in an 18% reduction in kilometers traveled.
What does the B2BE Facilitator aim to achieve?
The program includes a number of exciting workshops, always starting from the core business of the B2BE Facilitator: matchmaking.
In the first workshop, we aim to bring together the various existing biomass hubs in Flanders. This will give us an accurate view of the current situation. By connecting them, we want to encourage knowledge exchange and avoid the actors working in isolation for extended periods. With the various stakeholders, we will discuss the types of biomass available in Flanders, volumes, the regions where biomass is collected, technologies, end-products, bottlenecks, solutions, and potential opportunities for the future.
In a second workshop, later this year, we will zoom in on one sector: the potting soil industry. Currently, potting soil still often contains (fossil) peat, which puts significant pressure on the sector. How can a local biomass hub contribute to making this sector more sustainable? We are eager to hear the perspective of stakeholders from the sector. Do they already use local and sustainable alternatives to peat? What are their challenges? How do they view the future, and do they believe that setting up local biomass hubs could be part of the solution?
Contact us!
Do you recognize yourself in the themes discussed here, or do you have questions about the bioeconomy? Then get in touch with the B2BE Facilitator, we handle every inquiry with care.