Exploiting Modular Biochar and board production plants to locally transform waste from traditional agrifood, feed and forestry industries into bio-materials with rEgional DEmanD
Acronym: EMBEDED
Program: Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027)
Call: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CIRCBIO-02
Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-6-two-stage
Type of action: HORIZON-IA
Service: REA/B/03
Project duration: 6/2025 – 5/2028
Project ID: 101182442
Coordinator: ENVIROHEMP (Spain)
About the project EMBEDED
The EMBEDED project aims to demonstrate alternative business models in 36 months by transforming waste from Europe traditional agrifood industries into biochar and construction boards, with a long-term carbon sink effect and short resilient value chains. The validation of the km.0 application of biochar on primary producer plantations and the regional market characterization will be conducted. Valorisation streams aim to combine marginal revenues from mainstream residues (olive pomace, olive stones, grape mark) with overlooked or underutilised ones (cork bark left on field, press-cake from fresh grass, grape stems), with five demonstration pilots planned in Portugal, Ireland, Spain, and Czech Republic. Four of the pilots will have pyrolysis for the manufacture of biochar, using a modular method that fits pre- and post-conditioning phases into a single–maned portable unit. In two of the pilots, extractive methods aimed at bio-active chemicals will be evaluated to determine the added benefit of a cascade valorisation. Using a modular but stationary pilot, the Board production plant will capitalize on the cork outputs geographical.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. Design and commissioning of 3 modular plants for the local production/obtention of bio-materials and bioactive compounds.
2. On-site demonstration of the pyrolysis plant for the valorisation of 50 tons of waste in 2 campaigns.
3. Development of the regional business case for sustainable non-wood boards made from cork waste.
4. Certification, registration and/or validation of 4 bio-materials, 2 biofertilisers and 8 prototypes.
5. Consolidation of business cases for portable pyrolysis plant and cork board production and their environmental impact.
6. Clustering with stakeholders and governmental bodies.
IMPACT
EMBEDED will drive progress toward a climate-neutral bioeconomy by demonstrating how local, modular technologies can unlock the value of overlooked agricultural and forestry residues. Through its portable pyrolysis units and cascade valorisation approach, the project aims to transform more than 50 tonnes of biomass into biochar, biofertilisers, and other climate-positive materials, while avoiding up to 1.5 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of biochar produced. EMBEDED strengthens the role of primary producers, supports cleaner land management practices that reduce wildfire risk, and contributes to higher quality GHG accounting through region-specific data. With strong engagement from rural stakeholders, the project will also deliver open calls, training, and field demos to scale up adoption across Europe.
Partners
- The consortium involves 15 participants, comprising 5 SMEs and 1 LE that includes 2 technological developers and many influential figures in the agri-food industry of each designated region.
- ENVIROHEMP (Spain)
SME specialized in the production and functionalization of biochar and nanomaterials from biomass.
Sector: Bio-based materials / Circular economy.
- ISANATUR (Spain)
ISANATUR Spain S.L. is an SME focused on developing natural, bioactive ingredients and fermentation-based solutions for food and agriculture.
Sector: Agrifood / Biotech.
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
Public university with strong research activity in environmental technologies, materials science, and sustainable processes.
Sector: Higher education / Research.
- CONTACTICA (Spain)
SME offering R&D consultancy and project management services, particularly in EU-funded innovation projects.
Sector: Consulting / R&D services.
- Universidade do Minho (Portugal)
Public university with recognized research in materials science, biotechnology, and sustainable technologies.
Sector: Higher education / Research.
- Sogrape Vinhos (Portugal)
Portugal’s leading wine producer, integrating viticulture, winemaking, distribution, and sustainability-focused innovation.
Sector: Agrifood / Wine industry.
- University College Dublin (Ireland)
Ireland’s largest university, with leading expertise in agriculture, sustainability, and environmental research.
Sector: Higher education / Research.
- Munster Technological University (Ireland)
Public university with applied research capabilities in bioeconomy, engineering, and rural innovation.Sector: Higher education / Applied research.
- Carbery Food Ingredients Limited (Ireland)
International dairy and nutrition company producing cheese, whey-based ingredients, and health supplements.
Sector: Agrifood / Dairy industry.
- Mendelova Univerzita v Brne (Czech Republic)
Mendel University in Brno is a leading Czech institution in agriculture, forestry, and rural development research.
Sector: Higher education / Research.
- Zemedelsky Vyzkum (Czech Republic) Agricultural Research, Ltd., focuses on crop production, soil management, and sustainable farming technologies.
Sector: Agricultural research / Applied science.
- Agrovyzkum Rapotin (Czech Republic)
Research institute specializing in biowaste treatment, biogas, and agro-environmental innovation.
Sector: Agricultural R&D / Bioenergy.
- Fundación Centro de Servicios y Promoción Forestal y de su Industria de Castilla y León (Spain)
Public-private foundation supporting forest innovation, biomass valorisation, and sustainable rural development.
Sector: Forestry / Bioeconomy.
- The KS Factory (Spain)
SME producing natural biocomposites from forest, agricultural, mineral, and marine residues. Focused on sustainability and circular economy solutions.
Sector: Sustainable materials / Circular economy.
- Diputación Provincial de Málaga (Spain)
Public authority at provincial level supporting sustainable development, innovation, and rural services in Málaga.
Sector: Public administration / Regional governance.
Research team ZVT:
- Antonín Kintl, researcher, specialist in plant cultivation, kintl@vupt.cz
- Jan Nedělník, managing director, specialist in microbiology (mycotoxins) nedelnik@vupt.cz
- Julie Sobotková, junior researcher , sobotkova@vupt.cz
