Final meeting: EU-funded SECTOR-project invites for knowledge exchange of torrefaction process

The final meeting of the European funded project SECTOR with the aim of further development andmarket introduction of torrefaction-based technologies will take place on 6th May 2015 in Leipzig,Germany. At the meeting the participants will receive the latest news, findings and results of the project and have the chance to discuss them with involved partners. The registration is now open and will end on 15th of April. More information about the project, the registration, the fee and the agenda can be found at www.sector-project.eu.

The SECTOR project – with more than 20 partners from industry and science – has the objective to shorten the time to market for torrefaction technology through extensive pilot and demo scale torrefaction as well as densification trials. The downstream value chain has been elaborately assessed through logistics and end-use testing of the torrefied biomass, in combination with supporting smallscale experimentation and analysis. The technical work has been accompanied by safety assessments, development of standards (both for dedicated analysis methods and torrefied products), technoeconomic assessment of major biomass-to-end-use value chains and a complete sustainabilityassessment. SECTOR-partners collaborate on the draft for the first standardization of thermally treatedsolid biofuels within the International Standard Organization (ISO).

During SECTOR, project partners have been able to produce more than 200 tons torrefied biomass of abetter and more constant quality. Consistent data sets on logistics and end-use performance contribute to increasing confidence levels amongst relevant stakeholders. Finally, strategic aspects for market implementation of this promising innovative fuel need to be discussed, considering marketsperspectives manifold both in the energy sector but also in the bioeconomy (e.g. by torrefaction coproduct conditioning as organic based pesticide).

Background:

SECTOR means production of Solid sustainable Energy Carriers from biomass by means of Torrefaction. In torrefaction, biomass is heated up in the absence of oxygen to a temperature of at least 250°C. By combining torrefaction with pelleting or briquetting, biomass materials can be converted into high- energy-density bioenergy carriers with improved behaviour in (long-distance) transport, handling and storage. Torrefaction also creates superior properties for biomass in many major end-use applications. The process has the potential to provide a significant contribution to an enlarged raw material portfolio for sustainable biomass fuel production inside Europe by including both agricultural and forestry biomass (residues)