During the DeCarbon Copenhagen 2026 conference, held from February 24 to 26, the role of biomass in European industrial sustainability was analyzed. The experts present concluded that biogenic carbon is essential for sectors where few technological alternatives are available.
The conference brought together representatives from the biomass trade, heavy industry, and the digital sector. A central point of discussion was the shift from biomass as a fuel for electricity generation to its use as an industrial feedstock. In the steel sector, biocoal is now being used as a reducing agent in blast furnaces, replacing fossil coke. For the cement industry, biomass offers a method for generating the necessary high-temperature heat, as full electrification remains technically complex.
The integration of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) was presented as a method for achieving negative emissions. According to the participating market analysts, this technology is essential for achieving the European climate targets for 2040 and 2050. The market for biogenic carbon, which includes both biochar and captured biogenic CO2, is estimated to be worth between €1,7 and €3,5 billion in 2026.
During the sessions, warnings were raised about the limited availability of certified sustainable biomass. The increasing demand from various industrial sectors and the aviation industry necessitates strategic prioritization. This is based on the principle of cascading, where the raw material is first used for high-quality materials and only in the final phase for energy generation. This aligns with the tightened European guidelines that focus on the actual climate impact and emission reduction units per kilogram of CO2 avoided.
Furthermore, the need for a digital infrastructure for monitoring supply chains was emphasized. Under the banner of CarbonSmart Digital Futures, discussions were held on how digital tracking contributes to the transparency of the carbon market. Reliable data on the origin and processing of biomass is a prerequisite for carbon credit trading. The conference concluded that biomass will remain a structural component of the European infrastructure, provided efforts remain focused on sectors without alternative sustainability options.
Source: Bioenergytimes.com
Photo: Biocoal, image generated with AI
