The Biochar Clean Tech Accelerator - Empowering Regional Clusters

The project is based on the strengths of the national and internationally recognised centre of expertise in thermal processes at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), and the Centre for the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability (CEAS) at Aston Business School.

The centres will provide access to the results of research and academic knowledge to an established network of manufacturing and services companies. The companies will provide their expertise in practical implementation of technologies, and capabilities to produce products and access markets. Together, they will work collaboratively to develop new clean tech low carbon opportunities and accelerate green business growth in the region.

The project will build on a technology demonstrator, funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Birmingham City Council, which is able to take wood that is harvested from sustainable management of parks and roadside trees to produce heat for greenhouses, and a type of charcoal which can be used to promote growth in newly planted trees.

The technology can produce a range of other products such as low carbon weed killer, material that can be used to clean up contaminated land, surface coatings and even an additive that can reduce the environmental impact of concrete. The project will support development of the technologies behind these new products, use the expertise of Aston Business School to create business propositions, and work with regional companies to bring them to market.

The project will accelerate the level and speed of innovations resulting from previous projects which developed applied use of thermal process technologies and cluster development at the University. Strong partnerships have been created with high quality engineering and manufacturing companies in the region and aligned with the low carbon strategies of local councils. The projects and partnerships have created a basic set of technologies which have stimulated strong market interest and demand for the technologies to be developed into products.

The Biochar Innovation Accelerator project will strengthen the supply chains and also expand participation in the cluster of companies investigating market opportunities for applications of the technology. These include productive use of waste and residues to replace the need for fossil fuel based resources in applications such as renewable heat and power, planting materials for green roofs, green walls, urban trees and plant growth enhancers. New, lower Technology Readiness Level (TRL) products could include use as advanced building materials and protective coatings.