Biobased economy - UHasselt · Bio-economy and biobased economy. The bio-economy includes all activities related to the production of biomass, and the ways in which the biomass and

Biobased economyprof. dr. Tom Kuppens

Globalization and Sustainable Development28th February 2019

Overview

What is a biobased economy?

Why do we need a biobased economy?

Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil?

How can we realize the transition towards a biobased

economy?

What is the role of education in that transition?

28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 2

What is a biobased economy?

What is biomass? A definition ...

‘biomass’ means the biodegradable fraction of products, wasteand residues from biological origin from agriculture (including vegetal and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable

fraction of industrial and municipal waste

Source: Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC)



Biomass as energy source

Oldest energy source wood and harvest residues fuel for cooking and heating still daily reality in large parts of the world

Renewable energy source replenishes itself non-depletable

Sustainable energy source CO2-neutral (see next slide)






short carbon cycle

carbon capture and utilization


Why does the demand for biomass as energy source increase?

Paris Agreement (12th December 2015)

20/20/20 goals EU by 2020 20% cut in GHG emissions (from 1990 levels) 40% by 2030 20% of EU energy from renewables 27% by 2030 20% improvement in energy efficiency

What after 2020? EU Energy Roadmap 2050 80-95% cut in GHG emissions (from 1990 levels) 55-75% of EU energy from renewables

(until 97% in electricity consumption)




Energy use in Flanders 2016Source: Energy balance Flanders 1990-2016

Biomassa als energiebron


Gross green power production in FlandersSource: Inventory renewable energy sources Flanders 2005-2017



Use of biomass for energy purposes in FlandersSource: Inventory renewable energy sources Flanders 2005-2017

Cascading


optimal usage in time in value in function

avoid conflicts in biomassuse

lowest priority for energy applications

Biorefinery


Biorefinery


Biorefinery


Biorefinery


Bio-economy and biobased economyThe bio-economy includes all activities related to the production of biomass, and the ways in

which the biomass and its residues can be used subsequently.


Bio-economy and biobased economyThe biobased economy (BBE) is the part of the bio-economy

in which biobased materials and energy are produced and biomass is used in processes.


Biobased and circular economy


biocycle technocycle

Biobased and circular economy

Both are solutions for efficient use of resources andsustainability

Integration of both concepts is even more powerful,i.e. circular economy should contain a renewable

dimension from the start by replacing depletableresources by renewable resources

biobased economy should be circular at the end bypaying attention to the ‘end-of-life’: also materials fromrenewable resources are kept in the cycle by resuse, recycling, etc.


Bron: Van Buggenhout, Eva en Van Gijseghem Dirk (2016) “De Vlaamse bio-economie strategie, heden en toekomst” Departement LV

Why do we need a biobased economy?

Why a biobased economy?

Vision and strategy of the Flemish government for a sustainable and competitive bio-economy by 2030



Answer to climate change



Finiteness of the fossil fuel reserves


natural gas oil coal


Population growth food security increased demand for natural fibers for clothing and living

Safe, secured, sustainable and affordable energy(Energy Roadmap 2050) increased role of intermittent energy sources (sun and

wind) in the total energy mix need for energy storage (e.g. biomass) bio-energy contributes to the stability of the electricity grid



opportunities for green growth in the crossborder region Flanders-Netherlands

in the next 5 years there will be around5000 ‘biobased’ jobs and 3000 ‘circular’ jobs

BBE will have the greatest impact on the chemistry/biotech sector both in large enterprisis in which the BBE is (slowly)

included in the portfolio of activities as well as in small enterprises who position themselves

from the start as a BBE compony




Bron: Sustainable use of and creation of value from renewable raw materials for biobased industrial production such as biomaterials and green chemicals in Flanders (2016)

Examples

What? valorisation of particleboard, brewer’s spent grain, ... to

biochar and activated carbon

How? Pyrolysis

Business model? Furniture manufacturers now pay 90 EUR for the disposal of

one ton of particleboard waste ACT&SORB processes this waste at a lower cost

Activated carbon yield is 33% higher compared to fresh wood feedstock ACT&SORB can supply activated carbon at a lower price


Examples


Alternative aviation fuels can replace up to 50% of fossil based kerosene

HEFA$0.91/l

FT$1.15/l

Kerosine$0.64/l

Examples

Products of applewood residues from Haspengouw


Examples

Co-innovation by processing of expired food from supermarkets, and pig/chicken manure

Insects for food, feed, chemistry and agriculture low-grade biomass high-grade protein for feed chitin keeps food in plastic foil fresh longer

wound healing + blood solidification in band aid(black soldier fly does not transmit diseases)

replacement of fish meal for (overfishing) fish farms


Example

Biobased PEF (polyethylene furanoate) to replace fossil PET (polyethylene terephtalate) better barrier for O2 and CO2




Is biomass truely environmentally friendly?


preference for the use of locally available biomass



https://www.pre-sustainability.com/news/bio-based-products-are-always-good-myth-or-not

Advantages CO2 neutral renewable finitness of fossil resources reduced dependency on fossil resources

Disadvantages fertilizers

emissions of N2O (nitrous oxide): 298 CO2-eq. leaching of N and P to ground and surface water

use of fossil fuels for the production of manure, transport, ... land use change (LUC)

Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil

LCA - T. Kuppens 3727/02/2019

https://www.pre-sustainability.com/news/bio-based-products-are-always-good-myth-or-not


1st, 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels


1st• low energy efficiency• competition with food

2nd• higher energy efficiency• use of residues and wastes

3rd• no competition with farmland• algae


Indirect land use change (ILUC)

Cause?Occupation of non-agricultural land for the production of biomass (e.g. van niet-landbouwgronden voor de productie van biomassa (vb. chopping trees in rainforest)

Consequences? increase of CO2 emissions monoculture reduced biodiversity


How can we realize thetransition towards a biobased economy?

Transition to a biobased economy


SWOT analysis BBE in Flanders


Strength- Knowledge base (biotechnology, process

technology), - (Modern) agriculture, - Strength industry (food, chemistry,

energy), - Logistic sector,- Frontrunner in sorting and recycling of

waste..

Weaknesses- Availability of land, - Dense population, - High environmental pressure, - Weak research valorisation,- Weak participation of industry in

European funding programs- Fragmented research landscape,- Extended regulation and complexity of

Belgian institutional structure, - Little funding programs for valorisation

of biobased applications.

Opportunities- Existing policy and initiatives, e.g.

transversal action materials management, biomass inventory, ...,

- Co-operation with the Netherlands- Entrepreneurial mindset within

companies

Threats- Little own technology development,- Growing competition from cooperating

European clusters without involvement of Flanders and other pilot installations,

- Insufficient harmonization of legislation and policy.

Vision of the Flemish government

Five strategic goals SD1: Development of a coherent Flemish policy supporting

and facilitating a sustainable bio-economy. SD2: Bring Flanders at the top for training and education

and research and development in future-oriented bio-economy clusters.

SD3: Biomass is produced optimally and sustainablythroughout the full value chain

SD4: Strengthen markets and competitiveness of bio-economy sectors in Flanders.

SD5: Make Flanders an important partner in European and international partnerships.


Transition to a biobased economy

Clear vision not only product and process optimization also structural changes in systems fulfilling societal

functions (e.g. energy, mobility and food system) Biomass is heterogeous range of technologies New supply chains

large diversity in quality (cf. contaminated verge cuttings) large seasonal variety

Innovation of business models: co-creation Labour market

volume of employment content of professions and competences


What is the role of education in that transition? ?

What is the role of education?

Demand for greener employment profiles byintroducing sustainability within education

Market consultation: “The professional of the future of the Biobased Economy”1. Round table discussions with experts from the BBE2. Quantitative market consultation among enterprises 3. Focus group


Competences for the BBE


Which competences are important according to BBE firms?

Need for multidisciplinary profiles that are capable of valorizing technological innovation systems thinking integration of sustainability as learning line in education

(1st place in list of valorisation competences,even ranked higher than cost calculation)

do not put (business) economics in a separate course, but integrate financial feasibility within a research/design project for biobased innovations

learn to cooperate across disciplines and educational levels relational and communication competences improve sense of responsibility

entrepreneurial education


Learning line systems and sustainability thinking

Co-development of educational material for1. Systems thinking

identify all relevant actors in the value chain of the biobased economy

analyze mutual relations and interdependency between all actors/stakeholders

investigate the consequences of the choices w.r.t. the BBE on existing systems (consumption, production, energy, mobility, food, ...)

2. Sustainability thinking imrpove the positive attitude towards sustainability development of technological solutions for societal challenges that

create additional value in three domains: ecologically, socially and economically


Learning line systems and sustainability thinking

Didactical approach for the integration of sustainability in professional behaviour


Learning line valorisation competences


Crossborder Biobased Education


More information?


www.biobasedonderwijs.eu

Vragen?


Prof. dr. Tom KuppensAssistant [email protected]+32 11 26 87 55

UHasselt - CMKEnvironmental Economics

Academic coordinator postgraduate Biobased and Circular Economy

Website: www.cleantecheconomics.be

Biobased economy - UHasselt · Bio-economy and biobased economy. The bio-economy includes all activities related to the production of biomass, and the ways in which the biomass and

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