The transition to a climate-neutral and sustainable energy system requires new ways of using biomass. In addition to replacing fossil energy, future solutions must also deliver negative emissions and improved resource efficiency. Biochar and pyrolysis offer such a solution by combining energy production, long-term carbon storage, and new material applications. Despite this potential, development in Sweden has so far been fragmented, with limited coordination, knowledge gaps, and unclear regulatory frameworks.
Against this background, the project Innovation Cluster for Biochar and Pyrolysis based Bioenergy aimed to establish a national, coordinated, and long-term platform for collaboration within the biochar sector. The project brought together actors from research, industry, the energy sector, public authorities, and municipalities to strengthen knowledge exchange, innovation, and project development.
During the project period, Innovations cluster Biochar Sweden (IKBS) was successfully established as a non-profit association with a functioning governance structure, administrative support, and a dedicated cluster management. By the end of the project, the cluster comprised 33 paying members and had developed a practical model for joint project development, resulting in several collaborative project proposals. Dialogue with national authorities and policy actors was also strengthened, particularly in relation to policy development, regulation, and certification of biochar and negative emissions.
The results demonstrate that a coordinated innovation cluster is a key enabler for scaling up biochar and pyrolysis as part of the energy system. The new knowledge generated by the project mainly concerns how energy production, climate benefits, material use, and business models can be integrated into coherent system solutions.
The project has therefore laid the foundation for biochar to evolve from a niche application into a strategic component of a sustainable energy system.
The next steps involve building on this platform through additional demonstration and implementation-oriented projects, continued work on standards and certification, and deeper integration of pyrolysis into energy and industrial systems. In this way, biochar can contribute to emission reductions, negative emissions, and increased resource efficiency, supporting both climate goals and long-term energy system sustainability.
Management and coordination
Nordvästra Skånes Renhållnings AB
Project manager
Eva Stål
Schedule
March 2023 – December 2025
Total project cost
4 560 000 SEK
The Swedish Energy Agency’s project number
2022-01185