The project develops innovative solutions through biodigestion and composting processes, combining woody biomass with livestock digestates to produce a soil improver. Farms will benefit from operational protocols for efficient biomass management and a soil improver with high agronomic and environmental value.
Sector
A2.1Silviculture and other forestry activities
Needs/ Problem statement
The DICO-CARBON project aims to enhance the value of residual woody biomass resulting from the management of tree and shrub plantations on farms in the Veneto region. Currently, these materials have no economic or agronomic value.
Objective
Improvement of the branch collection and recovery site, suitable for composting with digestate;
Identification of the most suitable wood species and lignocellulosic material processing to maximize the adsorptive capacity of the woody matrix for the liquid fraction of the digestate;
Optimization of the recipe and biodigestion and/or composting process of a mixture of woody biomass and the liquid fraction of the digestate;
Improved quality characteristics, in terms of stable carbon content and fertilizing power, of an organic soil improver for farms based on woody biomass and digestate;
Increased carbon stock in agricultural soils and reduced dependence on mineral fertilizers;
Reduction of ammonia emissions from the liquid fraction of the digestate and a hypothetical 20-30% reduction in the volume of the liquid fraction of the digestate.
Bioeconomy fields
Crop residues and perennial plantsnull
Designer crops for optimised biomass contentnull
Algae biomassnull
Waste or recycled materialx
Microbial assisted processingnull
Biorefineries null
Feedstock
Biomass residues
Outcomes and final product
Soil ammendment with high agronomic and environmental value
Mobility
Static
Value chains
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Significant arisings of feedstocks available currently.
C Sink
1
2
3
3 - High potential - strong potential for carbon sequestration at the feedstock and product level).
Intended user
Farmers/foresters
Complexity of the process
1
2
3
3 -complex application
Final user
Farmerx
Foresterx
Researchernull
Advisornull
NGOnull
Training organizationnull
Processor or retailerx
Consumerx
Public Authority + LAGnull
Othernull
Economic sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant economic benefits.
Social sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant social benefits.
Environmental sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant environmental benefits.
