German Biochar Forum

06. november

18:00

For all participants who are already in Darmstadt on Sunday evening. There will be a small menu with vegan dishes and plenty of time for personal exchange. A binding registration is required. If you are interested, please let us know when booking the conference. The get-together is self-paying.

07. november

08:00

Please have the ticket with QR code ready to scan.

09:15

By now the public at large is starting to appreciate more and more that in order to meet our two-degree climate goals we not only have to drastically reduce CO2 emissions but also need to actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere (negative emissions). What's the perspective of the scientific community that deals with global modeling, economic models and the full range of possible negative emission technologies, though? How well is biochar represented in the IPCC reports? Prof. Claudia Kammanns presentation aims to shine a light on the underdog status of biochar within the concert of intensively researched NETs and will focus on promising applications und possible future research and development fields for the production of novel biochar products like composite fertilizer carbonisates or city tree substrates. All of this in the light of changing landscape design and land utilization. There is a lot to explore beyond wood, especially in these fields.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Kammann (Hochschule Geisenheim University)

10:00

Coffee break

10:30

VOW Asa provides pyrolysis technologies for decarbonizing the industry. The consortium operates several test/pilot facilities and participates in numerous R&D projects. New data on biocarbon from waste fractions will be presented coming from industrial sites and R&D rigs. The novel microwave assisted pyrolysis system will be described in detail.

Dr. Paal Jahre Nilsen (Scanship, Asker, Norway)

11:00

Biochar production from rice husks presents an opportunity to put a circular economy solution in place, improve soil health and farm productivity, significantly decrease methane during rice cultivation as well as providing a durable carbon removal solution. Carbon removal credits present the opportunity to reward farmers for their climate service and can have a significant impact on their profitability.

Dr. Berta Moya (Carbonfuture GmbH, Freiburg, Germany)

11:30

in the form of dynamic Pecha Kucha presentations

12:15

Included is a lunch buffet with vegetarian/vegan dishes and soft drinks.

13:15

Posters

Evaluation of selected environmental risk indices of cadmium in biochar amended tea-growing soil
Arup Borgohain
Two-way reuse of sewage sludge through co-composting with sludge derived biochar
René Schatten

Partner exhibition

Gold partners

Biomacon GmbH
Carbuna AG
Carbon Standards International AG

Silver partners

Klimafarmer GmbH
ProE Bioenergie GmbH
Pflanzenkohlekaufen.de

14:15

This case study shows how solid and liquid slaughterhouse residue can be turned into a fertilizer applicable in agriculture by combining pyrolysis and anaerobic fermentation, thus reducing the ammounts of mineral fertilizer required to add nitrogen and phosphorus.

Dr. Gerhard Soja (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria)

14:45

Where does the biomass come from? How much does it cost? The Brüning Group is involved with supply and disposal of energy supplying raw materials/bulk goods. National and international commodity flows are necessary to be able to provide a profitable supply of biomass.

Torben Halfer (Brüning Group, Fischerhude, Germany)

15:15

Utilization of regional residual material is considered the royal road of sustainable raw material utilization. However, projects often fail due to the availability of sufficient amounts of raw material or failure to set up steady supply chains. We would like to present our Circular Store which will adress these exact problems and help you to procure and process residual material as well as develop innovative products.

Christoph Storm (Circular Store, Felde, Germany)

15:45

Coffee break

16:15

Most soilless substrates are natural nonrenewable resources which involve environmental damage. The CompoCharTM is a biochar growing substrate, made locally from wood wastes and composted sewage sludge. The CompoChar has available macro and micro elements, a great balance between water holding capacity, drainage, and aeration. In addition, 1 ton of CompoChar locks 1.2 ton of atmospheric CO2.

Dr. Nadav Ziv (Earth Biochar ltd, Hod Hasharon, Israel)

16:45

Looking for an advanced and sustainable treatment for sewage sludge, pyrolysis has been identified as the best method. Running a pilot plant over the course of a year information about the applicability and reliability of the technology, product quality and operating data has been collected. This presentation will explain the background and the results of the project.

Christoph Gareis (Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority, Finnland)

17:15

Carbon Removal with Corn Stover

Dr. Robert C. Brown (Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA)

19:00

Vegan/vegetarian 3-course menu incl. drinks (wine and water). Dinner is included in the conference fee. We will start the walk together at 6:30 pm. Please inform us in advance if a car transfer is necessary.

07. august

09:00

Welcome: Susanne Veser
Greeting: André Schellenberg

08. november

08:00

Gerald Dunst is the owner of the company Sonnenerde and has been operating a pyrolysis plant since 2012. Over the years he has been experimenting with varying materials. Everyone knows about organic residual materials like fibers from paper production, waste from crop processing or stones from fruit. The more exciting residues are diapers, slaughterhouse waste, sewage sludge or residual waste.
Gerald Dunst's focus is on how to turn the pyrolysed materials into profitable and marketable products. In every single case mentioned above this is possible and was successfully done at least in trials. Furthermore, Sonnenerde puts emphasis on the production of products with very distinct features. This is achieved through a variety of treatments to modify the surface and thus enhance certain features of the product.

Gerald Dunst (Sonnenerde GmbH, Austria)

08:45

A combination of enhanced weathering with PyCCS but also the co-pyrolysis of rock powder and biomass (“mineral-doping”) are assumed to provide several synergies on CDR potential, carbon content stability and nutrient provision. In PyMiCCS, lab, field and model studies investigate nutrient abundance/retention, hydrology, soil biota and trace metals.

Dr. Maria-Elena Vorrath (Institute for Geology, University Hamburg, Germany)

09:15

Circular Carbon Ltd. operates the first of its kind biochar facility producing steam and biochar from cocoa bean shells, a residue from the cocoa industry in Hamburg. The plant demonstrates in a commercial operation how utilizing waste streams for biochar production reduces transport needs, provides process energy on site, makes an industry carbon neutral. Biochar from residues recovers precious nutrients, such as phosphorous, and turns depleted soils back into living and fertile soils. Circular Carbon plans to install such facilities in growing areas as well, where biochar provides a big promise to recover original growing areas and to turn soils from a carbon source back into a carbon sink.

Felix Ertl (Circular Carbon GmbH, Hamburg, Germany)

09:45

Coffee break

10:15

Biochar made from digestates and wood waste by pyrolysis is used in stables to partially replace straw and reduce the amount of ammonia. Stable manure mixed with biochar is fed into the biogas plant and later applied to fields as farm fertilizer. Biochar thus contributes to soil improvement.

Dr. Matthias Plöchl (B3 Project Monitoring Ltd, Potsdam, Germany)

10:45

This presentation will present results from two pot experiments with spinach applying different pre-treated biochars from varying biomass. The study examined the effects on spinach yield as well as nitrate leaching and laughing gas emissions in sandy soil.
Biochar made from straw showed the smallest enivironmental impact while at the same time producing the highest yield.

Christina Funk (Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Applied Ecology, Germany)

11:15

Biochar offers versatile applications, however, one niche is still in the early stages. Biochar's many positive physical properties can be applied in waste water management for purification purposes. The VertiKKA project for example uses biochar in facade greening modules to purify gray water. This approach allows waste water treatment directly where it occurs, city cooling and provides irrigation water among many other advantages of this technology.

Andreas Aicher (Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany)

11:45

Closing words

12:15

Included is a lunch buffet with vegetarian/vegan dishes and soft drinks.

13:30

To the carbonisation plant of the Darmstadt composting plant incl. bus transfer. The number of participants is limited to 80. Registration is required when booking your ticket. First come - first served.

17:30

End

Dr. Georg Kobiela

Bellona Deutschland gGmbH

Dr. Georg Kobiela is the policy lead of Bellona Deutschland, holds a doctorate in physical chemistry & studied political science and economics. He worked on industrial transformation, energy system and CDR both at Wuppertal Institut and Germanywatch and teaches at universities. He constructed multiple biochar-stoves.

Marleen Greenberg

HIR Hamburg Institut Research gGmbH

Marleen Greenberg is a biologist and, as a consultant at Hamburg Institut, an expert in the areas of non-energy and negative emissions. As part of municipal climate protection strategies, she develops measures addressing biochar and pyrolysis, and raises awareness of the issue among local authorities.

Jana Kapfer

HIR Hamburg Institut Research gGmbH

Jana Kapfer is a senior consultant and project manager at Hamburg Institut in the field of climate neutrality. She works on climate protection strategies for companies, local authorities and administrations. In this context, she also develops measures addressing biochar and pyrolysis.

Djamel Mekibes

Senken GmbH

Djamel Mekibes is the Co-Founder and COO of Senken, recognized by CDR.fyi as the largest marketplace for biochar transactions in 2024. Senken plays a pivotal role in scaling carbon removal solutions, leveraging biochar's potential to drive impactful climate action and contribute to a sustainable future.

Emily Boothroyd

Sylvera Ltd

Emily Boothroyd is a Senior LCA Associate at Sylvera, building quality assessment frameworks for biochar & other durable CDR projects, utilised in Sylvera’s carbon market expertise, ratings, data visibility, and tools. Her background is in carbon accounting, and this is applied to LCA in the context of biochar projects

Rolf Heuberger

Swiss Helicopter AG

Started in IT, I've found my way into aviation via the flight simulation business. I then worked as commercial pilot, flight instructor and examiner. After a time as Head of Training I left the company to become a rescue pilot. In 2022 I started as CEO of Swiss Helicopter AG.

Dr. Diana Born

phiyond GmbH

Diana Born is a manager at the sustainability consultancy phiyond by adelphi. Building on experience as research scientist & industry consultant, she carried out climate & sustainability projects including greenhouse gas accounting, net zero strategies & green claims in the removal context.

Juana María Reyes

Volkswagen ClimatePartner GmbH

Juana is the Market Intelligence and Innovation Manager at Volkswagen ClimatePartner GmbH, where she provides insight into voluntary carbon markets and policy changes to inform strategic decisions. Her work includes carbon asset development, supporting project evaluations and managing an innovation portfolio focused on cutting-edge solutions. With previous experience in developing carbon projects for compliance and the voluntary carbon market, Juana has a strong background in environmental management and consulting.

Dr. Nikolas Hagemann

Ithaka Institute

Nikolas is the scientific director of the Ithaka Institute and researcher at Agroscope. He is a co-author of guidelines of the European Biochar Certificate and the Global C-sink certification. He is a geo-ecologist and obtained his PhD from University of Tübingen.

Moritz Koch

VAERING SE & Co. KG

Moritz is Found and Managing Director of VAERING, a family-owned investment holding from Hamburg, Germany. Moritz has a background in Physics as well as digital business. VAERING invests into sustainabilty-driven companies. In 2024, VAERING invested into PYREG.

Matias Yudelevich

Puro.Earth Oy

Matias Yudelevich is the Account Director for EMEA at Puro.earth, where he oversees the certification process for numerous industrial-scale biochar projects in the region. Matias has a deep understanding of the needs, challenges, and opportunities faced by projects across Europe.

Robin Klemens

Kumo Labs GmbH

Robin brings a wealth of experience from leading tech innovations at BMW & DB and serving as co-chair at Hyperledger under the Linux Foundation. Since 2020, Robin has channeled his expertise and passion into pioneering solutions at the nexus of carbon markets, tokenization, and finance.

Agathe Roger

SWEN Capital Partners

Agathe is an investor within SWIFT, a fund dedicated to infrastructure investment towards hard to abate sectors. The main strategy of SWIFT is to support renewable gases, but it has investments in other renewable infrastructure, including biochar. Agathe's background is in renewable energy development and investment.

Jan Lindenberger

Next Generation Elements GmbH

Jan Lindenberger is a sales engineer at the pyrolysis plant manufacturer Next Generation Elements GmbH (NGE). He has an environmental engineering background and professional experience in the field of product compliance and application technology for feed and fertilizers as well as in project management.

Kash Burchett

HSBC Group

Kash Burchett is HSBC's Global Head of CDR Technologies. He has over 18 years experience in the field of energy economics, having worked at BP, EDF and Systemiq. He also led the Energy Transition Commission's research into the role of engineered carbon management in reaching net zero.

Dr. Karoline Borner

HS Offenburg

As a biologist with a focus on swarm intelligence and decision making, she strives Hub in the PK-BiG project (Biochar in Vegetable Growth and Flower Strips) at the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg.

Marc Rosenau

Cula Technologies GmbH

Marc is Co-Founder of Cula Technologies. They create transparent and traceable, high-quality CO2 certificates through data-driven end-to-end tracking of carbon removal processes. The vision is, to uplift the quality of carbon credits in the voluntary CO2 market.

Patrizia Pschera

Carbon Standards International AG

Patrizia Pschera is an engineer with professional experience in project development and management in the sphere of the voluntary carbon market. Since 2024, she has been working with Carbon Standards International to create a regulatory framework for carbon storage.

Morten Heick

Stiesdal

Morten Heick is a Business Development expert at Stiesdal focusing on Carbon Removal Certificates, business case development, and climate policy advisory. As Vice Chairman & co-founder of Pyrolyse Danmark he drives legislation and regulation for pyrolysis and biochar carbon removal in Denmark

Prof. Dr. Claudia Kammann

Hochschule Geisenheim University

C. Kammann is a professor for climate change impact research for special crops at Hochschule Geisenheim University. Her research activities range from the development of biochar fertilisers to agrivoltaics in special crop cultivation. Always in focus: innovative adaptation and mitigation strategies for agro-ecosystems and urban areas.

Dr. Saskia Kühnhold-Pospischil

Fraunhofer Institut for Solar Energy Systems

Dr. Kühnhold-Pospischil has been working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE since 2011. After completing her PhD in the field of photovoltaics, her research interests include negative emissions (NE), with a focus on the interplay between NE and renewable energy systems as well as life cycle analysis.

Dr. Anna Lehner

Carbonfuture GmbH

A. Lehner has a 10-year research background in inorganic chemistry and energy materials. In the energy transition sector she established business collaborations. At Carbonfuture, she implements standards & methodologies for negative emission technologies in a way that the certification pathways support the scaling of the sector.

Elisabeth Harding

Negative Emissions Platform ASBL

Elisabeth serves as the Policy Manager at the Negative Emissions Platform (NEP), an association representing a diverse portfolio of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. NEP operates at the EU, national, and international levels, advocating for policies that enable the scale up of permanent CDR.

Dr. Jan Minx

Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change

Christian Holzleitner

European Commission

Christian Holzleitner is currently Head of Unit responsible for Land economy and Carbon removals at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action. Previously, he worked as Head of Unit for Finance for Innovation and Land Use and assistant to the Director-General for Climate Action covering all issues

Nadine Walsh

DVNE

In her role as Policy Manager at DVNE, Nadine is responsible for advocating for and shaping policies in Germany that support the scale-up of CDR.
Next to her background in environmental sciences, she also has several years of experience in corporate sustainability and the VCM.
As co-author she contributed to the 2nd ed. of the report ‘The State of CDR’ and is a collaborator at CDR.fyi.

Benedikt Zimmermann

Carbuna AG

Marcel Eichler

Carbonfuture GmbH

Marcel, Senior Supply Manager at Carbonfuture, specializes in climate change and Life-Cycle Assessment. He is Account Manager for biochar carbon removal (BCR) projects in the DACH region and East Asia. With expertise in project management and carbon footprint calculation, he drives sustainable innovation.

Riccardo Ambrosini

ecoLocked GmbH

Riccardo Ambrosini is an impact manager at ecoLocked and a member of the Carbon Accounting Group of the EBI Consortium. He works on environmental certifications, focusing on harmonising the VCM and EPD frameworks, and co-authored the EBI paper on the role of biochar in concrete decarbonisation.

Christian Donath

ECO Platform

Christian Donath worked as civil engineer at Hochtief for a decade. He was founding CEO of the German Sustainable Building Council DGNB and Board member of the World Green Building Council. He serves as Managing Director of ECO Platform since 2013.

Dr. ir. Mantijn van Leeuwen

NIBE BV

Since January 2016 Mantijn holds the position of Managing Director of NIBE BV, a specialized environmental consultancy firm in The Netherlands. NIBE specializes in quantifying sustainability on basis of scientific methodologies (www.nibe.info) and is actively involved in national and international initiatives.

Dr. Nikolaos Vlasopoulos

Holcim

16 years of experience in the construction industry. 10 years in R&D through first founding and leading a low carbon cement startup before joining Holcim. Currently heading the LCA & EPD services group within Holcim Innovation Center which provides services to Holcim corporate and countries.