News

Long Night of Science 2025 – A Night Full of Science Magic!

On June 20th, we as DBFZ opened our doors for "Long Night of Science 2025" and presented two projects from the Biogenic Char Applications team. As part of the HeRoTogo project, we served delicious Kartoffelpuffer, more than 80 portions, with applesauce – prepared with our Apeli cookstove, which ran for over 3.5 hours continously. The question of the evening was: "Will Apeli be available for camping soon?" We took the chance to explain that Apeli is one of our clean cooking solutions developed for Togo – and that we are now ready to start local production. Our BioFe project was also featured and attracted attention in the event. In BioFe, we are developing innovative biochar-iron agglomerates for use in the steel industry. The goal is to replace fossil carbon and close material loops using biogenic resources – for more sustainable production.

We’re very happy to have the chance to exchange with so many curious people from Leipzig – and especially to inspire children to get excited about science!

Our Research Kitchen is Open

Worldwide, around one third of the population still cooks on inefficient open fires – with serious consequences: high emissions, major environmental and climate impacts, and 3.8 million deaths annually due to air pollution.

At the DBFZ's technical center, we’ve set up a research kitchen! Here, Dr. Dennis Krüger and his team develop and test innovative cooking solutions for different regions of the world. In our new research kitchen, we evaluate how various cookstove models perform under real cooking conditions using different fuels and local dishes. Every region needs its own solution – depending on local culture, available fuels, and how people cook. The best way to improve our cookstove prototypes is to try them out in real cooking situations and see things from the user’s point of view.

Contact: Dr. Dennis Krüger

Our Contribution at Solid Waste 2025: Sustainable Biochar from Cocoa Residues

Our colleague Kassé Jean Hugues Angbé participated in the International Conference on Solid Waste 2025 (9-12 June 2025, Dongguan/China) – Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality and Circular Economy. He delivered an oral presentation based on his doctoral research, titled “Harnessing Cocoa Waste for Biochar Production and Emission Reduction to Promote Sustainability in West Africa.” His contribution highlighted the potential of agricultural residues, particularly cocoa waste, as a valuable resource for sustainable biochar production and climate change mitigation.

The conference also provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with international peers, expand professional networks, and gain new insights into innovative approaches to waste management and circular economy.

We were at EUBCE 2025!

With 9 presentations, 3 poster sessions, 3 panel moderations, one panel contribution, and an exhibition stand, the DBFZ once again had a strong presence at this year’s EUBCE which was held between 9-12 June 2025 in Valencia/Spain. From the Biogenic Char Applications Working Group, Dr. Özge Mutlu presented a poster on the BMFTR-funded HeRoTogo project, highlighting the complexity of developing clean cooking solutions in Togo and Ethiopia, which sparked lively discussions. In addition, Rafiandy Dwi Putra showcased results from the SAB-funded BioFe project, focusing on optimizing biochar production for use in the steel industry. The event attracted great interest from researchers, policymakers, and business stakeholders, making EUBCE 2025 a success on all fronts.

For further information and access to all conference papers, feel free to visit: https://www.eubce.com/

Exploring Organic Amendments: DBFZ Contribution in Serbia

Our colleague Dr. Betelhem Mekonen Muluneh participated in the Summer School on Sustainable Organic Amendment Applications from a Soil and Groundwater Management Perspective, held from 2–6 June 2025 in Serbia. This learning, training, and knowledge exchange activity was organized as part of the Horizon Europe TwinSubDyn project. The Summer School offered an in-depth exploration of how organic amendments influence soil organic carbon levels, nutrient dynamics, and contaminant behavior in the subsurface, with critical implications for groundwater quality. The program combined theoretical lectures with practical demonstrations, led by renowned experts in the field. Our colleague also had the opportunity to deliver an oral presentation during the course, contributing her insights to the international exchange.

Preparatory Trip for the Local Production of APELI Stoves and Fuels

After the two local project coordinators of the HeRoTogo project began their work in Lomé and Kpalimé in December 2024, Dr. Dennis Krüger and Wiebke Anna Wedekind traveled again to Togo from February 28 to March 9, 2025. This time, the focus was particularly on visiting potential local production sites for the APELI stove developed at DBFZ, as well as on locally available fuels made from residual materials or fast-growing biomass required for its operation. At both locations, sample productions of individual stove components were also reviewed. These components had been produced on a trial basis by specialized manufacturers in a comparative competition. In Kpalimé, a visit took place with Mr. Yawo DOGBATSE, the mayor of the city and chairman of the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa, to inform him about the objectives and activities of the HeRoTogo project and the developments in Kpalimé. Finally, the APELI stoves that have been in operation at the field test site since 2022 were serviced, and discussions were held with the users about their current experiences and suggestions for use and potential further adaptations.

Participation at World Sustainable Energy Days

The World Sustainable Energy Days took place from March 4–7, 2025, in Wels, Austria, featuring a diverse range of research topics, including the EU Pellet Conference, Energy Efficiency Conference, Young Energy Researchers, Energy Efficiency Policy, Industrial Energy Transition, and Smart E-Mobility. Our team member, Kassé Jean Hugues Angbé, had the privilege of presenting his work, titled "Strategy Development for Hydrogen-Conversion Businesses in Côte d'Ivoire" on 4 March 2025 at the Young Biomass Researchers Conference. This event provided him with valuable opportunities to expand his network and connect with fellow young researchers working on related topics.

DBFZ presents APELI cooker at the BMBF

Deforestation in African regions and many other parts of the world is increasing rapidly. The reasons for this are growing population numbers and the increased use of wood/charcoal as cooking fuel. Against this background, a cooker for special requirements was developed in Togo as part of the "LabTogo" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The newly developed stove by DBFZ not only requires significantly less fuel than traditional cookers, but also has lower emissions during operation. Our colleague Dr. Dennis Krüger was able to present the new cooker to the Federal Government's hydrogen representative, Mr. Till Mansmann, at the BMBF. Further information: www.dbfz.de/labtogo

Participation in the Annual Meeting of DBFZ

The annual meeting of DBFZ took place on 11-12 September 2024 with the main theme of “Multi-talented biomass: basic raw material, carbon source and energy option”. Working Group of Biogenic Char Applications participated at the event for the first time officially as a “Team” with two contributions. Dr. Dennis Krüger and Dr. Özge Mutlu presented their collaborated poster with Dr. Mirjam Müller titled as “Technical implementation of biochar production according to the TLUD principle” within the framework of ETH-Soil project. Moreover, Dr. Andreas Schedl gave an oral presentation on the topic of “Material and energetic use - biogenic coal” in the session of “Biomass Cycles” with was moderated by Dr. Volker Lenz.

Moderation of the “Meet the Industry” Session at ICONIC 2024

ICONIC (International Conference of Integrated Intellectual Community) launched by PPI Jerman (Vereinigung Indonesischer Studenten in Deutschland e.V) in 2014 and serves as a bridge between Indonesia and the global community, particularly Germany, addressing issues pertaining to sustainable development. This year, ICONIC celebrated its 10^th anniversary and 5^th occurrence, focusing on the subject “Transformation for Low-Carbon Development”. Rafiandy Dwi Putra is privileged to moderate the session “Meet the Industry: Presentation of the Companies” on 6 September 2024. In this session, six innovative companies from Indonesia and Germany presented their efforts and achievements in supporting low-carbon development.

BioFe Project Kick-off Meeting

The iron & steel industry is on the verge of a major shift from coal to green hydrogen processes. However, the transition from blast furnaces to hydrogen-based direct reduction is significantly hindered by the scarcity of green hydrogen and the lack of suitable infrastructure. As a result, natural gas-based direct reduction is seen as a bridging technology. Additionally, sponge iron lacks carbon, which negatively impacts the operation of the electric arc furnace by increasing the melting temperature, requiring the addition of carbon, and causing greater iron loss in the slag. Biomass can be used in various ways for direct reduction and offers solutions to the aforementioned challenges: as a heat source, a reducing gas, or even in solid form for pellet production. In our “BioFe - Biomass use in iron production under economic and CO₂-reducing conditions” project which officially started in June 2024, we aim to determine the availability of sustainable biomass for the steel industry, how it can be optimally integrated into direct reduction in iron production, and to assess the potential economic and environmental impacts. It is funded by Sächsische Aufbaubank – Förderbank (SAB)/EFRE. The kick-off meeting with our project partner DLR-DI took place in Cottbus on 27.08.2024. The project leader Andreas Schedl and researcher Rafiandy Dwi Putra had chance to exchange with the partners on the further steps of the project. For further information about the project, please contact with Dr. Andreas Schedl (Contact)

HeRoTogo Project Kick-off Meeting in Togo

HeRoTogo - Development of a roadmap for sustainable heat generation with biomass in Togo and demonstration of selected technologies along the entire utilization path” project is officially started in March 2024. The project is funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and is the follow-up project of LabTogo project (also funded by BMBF) by building on its successful results. HeRoTogo project aims the creation of a road map for sustainable biomass-based heat supply in Togo for private and commercial actors. On this regard, internal kick-off meeting took place on 10.04.2024 and following that project leader Dennis Krüger visited Lomé-Togo together with Wiebke Wedekind between 25 May-1 June 2024. During their stay, they had chance to exchange with our Togolese partners and discuss about the further steps of the project. They also visited two important project locations; Dévémé and Kpalimé. For further information about the project, please contact with Dr. Dennis Krüger (Contact)