What is the economic potential of biomass from landscape management? IDEA Consult investigated this on behalf of the Flemish Land Agency (VLM). The use of biomass from landscape management provides financial added value, which partly compensates for the management costs. There are also many benefits for the environment, landscape and biodiversity.
Clippings, branches and prunings from the maintenance of roadsides, trees and shrubs are often still considered waste. But there are possibilities to use that biomass as a raw material for materials, energy or enrichment of the soil. It is a challenge to collect enough biomass to use and that biomass must also meet the required quality for the intended application.
experiments
In recent years, various (rural) projects have experimented with using biomass from nature and landscape management locally. For example, shredded wood was incorporated into the soil or served as fuel in biomass boilers. These are heating systems that use organic fuels such as wood chips. The clippings were used for compost, and grass fibers were used for paper production. IDEA Consult analyzed these projects to investigate the feasibility and economic added value of the use of biomass.
Financial added value and benefits for biodiversity, soil and landscape
The study shows that the yield from using biomass can compensate part of the management costs. Using biomass from landscape management is also beneficial for the environment, biodiversity and landscape quality. It is important that the landscape is managed sustainably and that no overexploitation occurs.
Logistical challenge
Analysis of the projects shows that it is a challenge to collect enough biomass, which must also meet the required quality for the intended application. In the projects examined, organizations such as regional landscapes and Boerennatuur Vlaanderen took the initiative to bring other managers together and organize themselves locally or regionally around landscape management and use of biomass.
New collaborations
The study 'Economic potential of biomass from landscape management' confirms that biomass from landscape management offers opportunities for new economic activities in rural areas. The growing awareness of sustainable and renewable raw materials creates a favorable environment to continue existing initiatives regarding the use of biomass from landscape management. Support from the government will certainly remain necessary in the coming years to expand these initiatives and start new ones. The study also provides inspiration for future collaborations on the use of biomass, the logistics organization, and the pursuit of high-quality applications and a sustainable revenue model.
Source: vlm.be
