Growing opportunities for sustainable perennial biomass in Europe
With recent plans to phase out dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027 and an ambitious 10-year environmental programme that includes phasing out fossil fuels completely by 2030, Europe is planning to supercharge progress towards a low-carbon economy.
And a sustainable fossil-fuel alternative which is seeing rapid expansion in Europe - Miscanthus – a plant-based grass, is transforming the products and energy we use, with demand outstripping supply.
To meet this growing demand, global leader in perennial biomass crops, Terravesta, has launched Terravesta Europe this spring, to grow established and new markets.
Miscanthus is a carbon-negative crop requiring no fertiliser and grows on unproductive or contaminated land. Markets include commercial heat and power generation, pellet trade, domestic fuel, fibre uses, land remediation, carbon sequestration, fibre for a host of products including fibreboard and sustainable concrete, and bio-refining, for use as a replacement for plastic, pharmaceuticals, and more.
The firm has a selection of commercially bred varieties (non-GM), suited to different climates and markets, which will be planted throughout Europe, selected with specific traits to suit the end-market.
Operations director for Europe, Andrzej Matyjewski, said Terravesta’s global presence is evolving according to expectations.
"The launch of Terravesta Europe clearly shows the business has identified a bright future for Miscanthus and the growing demand for the crop in Europe is undisputed.
“I’m extremely excited about the future in Europe. The UK is an established market and the potential in Europe is underestimated. The EU continent has different climates and markets and more scope for growth into new areas,” he said.
Terravesta Europe has a number of projects including propagation nurseries, biochar production and planting for biomass and CO2 sequestration in Poland. In addition, it is developing Miscanthus for hydrogen production in France, planting for bedding and horticultural mulch in Italy, Miscanthus-fuelled district heating in Moldova, with more Miscanthus collaborations developing at a pace in Portugal, Germany, Romania and Baltic countries.
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