Objectives
This project aims to improve the sustainability, value and resource efficiency of Ireland’s agriculture sector through farmer diversification into the bioeconomy. To achieve this Biorefinery Glas will:
Demonstrate a replicable small-scale biorefinery with Irish farmers which integrates easily into Ireland’s existing agricultural structures
Improve agricultural resource efficiency through on-farm biorefining to produce value-added products and increase protein availability
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manure and feed imports
Drive new bioeconomy value-chain development and demonstrate business models which offer diversification opportunities for farmers
Objectives
This project aims to improve the sustainability, value and resource efficiency of Ireland’s agriculture sector through farmer diversification into the bioeconomy. To achieve this Biorefinery Glas will:
Demonstrate a replicable small-scale biorefinery with Irish farmers which integrates easily into Ireland’s existing agricultural structures
Improve agricultural resource efficiency through on-farm biorefining to produce value-added products and increase protein availability
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manure and feed imports
Drive new bioeconomy value-chain development and demonstrate business models which offer diversification opportunities for farmers
Activities
Biorefinery Glas activities include:
-Demonstrating a small-scale mobile grass biorefinery on multiple farms in South West Ireland.
-Producing and validating multiple products from grass through biorefining, including an improved fodder press-cake fibre for cattle, protein concentrate feed for monogastrics, high value prebiotic sugars (for the food and feed markets) and recovery of nutrients for use as fertilizer.
-Promoting farm-to-farm bioeconomy symbiosis and new business models
-Facilitating several bioeconomy knowledge exchange activities with Irish farmers.
-Delivering an extensive dissemination package, including digital storytelling, with farmers playing a central role
Activities
Biorefinery Glas activities include:
-Demonstrating a small-scale mobile grass biorefinery on multiple farms in South West Ireland.
-Producing and validating multiple products from grass through biorefining, including an improved fodder press-cake fibre for cattle, protein concentrate feed for monogastrics, high value prebiotic sugars (for the food and feed markets) and recovery of nutrients for use as fertilizer.
-Promoting farm-to-farm bioeconomy symbiosis and new business models
-Facilitating several bioeconomy knowledge exchange activities with Irish farmers.
-Delivering an extensive dissemination package, including digital storytelling, with farmers playing a central role
Additional information
A 40% increase in usable protein per hectare is expected by optimising grass protein usage, creating a fibre press-cake fodder which improves nitrogen to milk conversion efficiency in cattle, whilst creating a second protein concentrate feed product suitable for monogastrics who would otherwise not be able to access grass protein. An expected benefit of this approach includes a reduction in nitrogen and phosphorous losses (by 25%) and related emissions for the dairy sector by improving nitrogen use efficiency in dairy, whilst simultaneously reducing indirect GHG emissions through substitution of soybean imports for use in monogastric feed.
The project will demonstrate the production and validation of the value-added co-products produced by the grass biorefinery. The new business model will be assessed to determine it’s potential for farmer diversification into the bioeconomy.The project will demonstrate a future route to market for farmers using the local cooperative structures. The project will also demonstrate farm-to-farm bioeconomy symbiosis, in which improved protein efficiency on dairy farms, can create a new indigenous feed product for pig farmers in the region.
Biorefinery Glas is a first step towards moving farmers further up the bioeconomy value chain, as processors and producers of products rather than biomass suppliers. The Biorefinery Glas project will demonstrate a small-scale, low-CAPEX, farmer-operable biorefinery model which will enable farmers to position themselves closer to the market and secure a larger share of the high value returns within the bioeconomy value chain. As the model allows farmers to produce high quality cattle fodder press-cake, it integrates easily within traditional livestock farming.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014IE06RDNP001 Ireland - Rural Development Programme (National)
Location
- Main geographical location
- South-West (IE)
EUR 940 498.00
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Resources
1 Practice Abstracts
Agriculture has been put under the spotlight in recent years as Ireland attempts to decarbonise its economy and meet the challenges and commitments laid out under the Paris Climate Accord and Sustainable Development Goals. This was highlighted by the 2017 Citizens Assembly on Climate Change which evaluated Ireland’s current emissions status and in which 89% of citizens voted to support a tax on emissions arising from agriculture1. With over a third of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission currently coming from the agriculture sector, most would agree that urgent action is necessary. Ireland’s fragmented supply chain and high grass production area make small-scale biorefineries a key opportunity area for growing Ireland’s bioeconomy, particularly in rural regions.
This project aims to improve the overall sustainability, value and resource efficiency of Ireland’s agriculture sector through diversification into the bioeconomy, using a rurally-imbedded and widely replicable small-scale farmer-operable grass biorefinery.
Agriculture has been put under the spotlight in recent years as Ireland attempts to decarbonise its economy and meet the challenges and commitments laid out under the Paris Climate Accord and Sustainable Development Goals. This was highlighted by the 2017 Citizens Assembly on Climate Change which evaluated Ireland’s current emissions status and in which 89% of citizens voted to support a tax on emissions arising from agriculture1. With over a third of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission currently coming from the agriculture sector, most would agree that urgent action is necessary. Ireland’s fragmented supply chain and high grass production area make small-scale biorefineries a key opportunity area for growing Ireland’s bioeconomy, particularly in rural regions.
This project aims to improve the overall sustainability, value and resource efficiency of Ireland’s agriculture sector through diversification into the bioeconomy, using a rurally-imbedded and widely replicable small-scale farmer-operable grass biorefinery.
Contacts
Project coordinator
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James Gaffey
Project coordinator
Project partners
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Enda Buckley
Project partner
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Johan Sanders
Project partner
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Karina Pierce
Project partner
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Scott Lovell
Project partner