Biobased economy prof. dr. Tom Kuppens
Globalization and Sustainable Development 28th February 2019 Overview
. What is a biobased economy?
. Why do we need a biobased economy?
. Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil?
. How can we realize the transition towards a biobased economy?
. What is the role of education in that transition?
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 2 What is a biobased economy? What is biomass? A definition ...
‘biomass’ means the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from biological origin from agriculture (including vegetal and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste
Source: Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC)
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 4 28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 5 Biomass as energy source . Oldest energy source . wood and harvest residues . fuel for cooking and heating . still daily reality in large parts of the world
. Renewable energy source . replenishes itself non-depletable
. Sustainable energy source
. CO2-neutral (see next slide)
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 6 Biomass as energy source
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 7 Biomass as energy source
short carbon cycle
carbon capture and utilization
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 8 Biomass as energy source Why does the demand for biomass as energy source increase?
. Paris Agreement (12th December 2015)
. 20/20/20 goals EU by 2020 . 20% cut in GHG emissions (from 1990 levels) 40% by 2030 . 20% of EU energy from renewables 27% by 2030 . 20% improvement in energy efficiency
. What after 2020? EU Energy Roadmap 2050 . 80-95% cut in GHG emissions (from 1990 levels) . 55-75% of EU energy from renewables (until 97% in electricity consumption)
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 9 Biomass as energy source
Energy use in Flanders 2016 Source: Energy balance Flanders 1990-2016
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 10 Biomassa als energiebron
Gross green power production in Flanders Source: Inventory renewable energy sources Flanders 2005-2017
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 11 Biomass as energy source
Use of biomass for energy purposes in Flanders Source: Inventory renewable energy sources Flanders 2005-2017
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 12 Cascading . optimal usage . in time . in value . in function
. avoid conflicts in biomass use
. lowest priority for energy applications
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 13 Biorefinery
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 14 Biorefinery
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 15 Biorefinery
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 16 Biorefinery
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 17 Bio-economy and biobased economy
The bio-economy includes all activities related to the production of biomass, and the ways in which the biomass and its residues can be used subsequently.
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 18 Bio-economy and biobased economy
The biobased economy (BBE) is the part of the bio-economy in which biobased materials and energy are produced and biomass is used in processes.
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 19 Biobased and circular economy
biocycle technocycle
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 20 Biobased and circular economy . Both are solutions for efficient use of resources and sustainability
. Integration of both concepts is even more powerful, i.e. . circular economy should contain a renewable dimension from the start by replacing depletable resources by renewable resources . biobased economy should be circular at the end by paying attention to the ‘end-of-life’: also materials from renewable resources are kept in the cycle by resuse, recycling, etc.
Bron: Van Buggenhout, Eva en Van Gijseghem Dirk (2016) “De Vlaamse bio- economie strategie, heden en toekomst” Departement LV 28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 21 Why do we need a biobased economy? Why a biobased economy? Vision and strategy of the Flemish government for a sustainable and competitive bio-economy by 2030
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 23 Why a biobased economy? . Answer to climate change
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 24 Why a biobased economy? . Finiteness of the fossil fuel reserves
natural gas oil coal
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 25 Why a biobased economy? . Population growth . food security . increased demand for natural fibers for clothing and living
. Safe, secured, sustainable and affordable energy (Energy Roadmap 2050) . increased role of intermittent energy sources (sun and wind) in the total energy mix . need for energy storage (e.g. biomass) . bio-energy contributes to the stability of the electricity grid
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 26 Why a biobased economy? . opportunities for green growth in the crossborder region Flanders-Netherlands . in the next 5 years there will be around 5000 ‘biobased’ jobs and 3000 ‘circular’ jobs . BBE will have the greatest impact on the chemistry/biotech sector . both in large enterprisis in which the BBE is (slowly) included in the portfolio of activities . as well as in small enterprises who position themselves from the start as a BBE compony
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 27 Why a biobased economy?
Bron: Sustainable use of and creation of value from renewable raw materials for biobased industrial production such as biomaterials and green chemicals in Flanders (2016)
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 28 Examples . What? . valorisation of particleboard, brewer’s spent grain, ... to biochar and activated carbon
. How? . Pyrolysis
. Business model? . Furniture manufacturers now pay 90 EUR for the disposal of one ton of particleboard waste ACT&SORB processes this waste at a lower cost . Activated carbon yield is 33% higher compared to fresh wood feedstock ACT&SORB can supply activated carbon at a lower price
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 29 Examples . Alternative aviation fuels . can replace up to 50% of fossil based kerosene
FT $1.15/l
HEFA $0.91/l
Kerosine $0.64/l
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 30 Examples . Products of applewood residues from Haspengouw
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 31 Examples . Co-innovation by processing of expired food from supermarkets, and pig/chicken manure . Insects for food, feed, chemistry and agriculture . low-grade biomass high-grade protein for feed . chitin keeps food in plastic foil fresh longer wound healing + blood solidification in band aid (black soldier fly does not transmit diseases) . replacement of fish meal for (overfishing) fish farms
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 32 Example . Biobased PEF (polyethylene furanoate) to replace fossil PET (polyethylene terephtalate)
. better barrier for O2 and CO2
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 33 Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil? Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil? Is biomass truely environmentally friendly?
preference for the use of locally available biomass
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 35 Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil?
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 36 Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil
https://www.pre-sustainability.com/news/bio-based-products-are-always-good-myth-or-not
Advantages
. CO2 neutral . renewable finitness of fossil resources . reduced dependency on fossil resources
Disadvantages . fertilizers
emissions of N2O (nitrous oxide): 298 CO2-eq. leaching of N and P to ground and surface water . use of fossil fuels for the production of manure, transport, ... . land use change (LUC)
27/02/2019 LCA - T. Kuppens 37 Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil? . 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels
• low energy efficiency 1st • competition with food
• higher energy efficiency 2nd • use of residues and wastes
• no competition with farmland 3rd • algae
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 38 Is biobased always more sustainable than fossil? . Indirect land use change (ILUC)
. Cause? Occupation of non-agricultural land for the production of biomass (e.g. van niet- landbouwgronden voor de productie van biomassa (vb. chopping trees in rainforest)
. Consequences?
. increase of CO2 emissions . monoculture reduced biodiversity
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 39 How can we realize the transition towards a biobased economy? Transition to a biobased economy
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 41 SWOT analysis BBE in Flanders
Strength Weaknesses - Knowledge base (biotechnology, process - Availability of land, technology), - Dense population, - (Modern) agriculture, - High environmental pressure, - Strength industry (food, chemistry, - Weak research valorisation, energy), - Weak participation of industry in - Logistic sector, European funding programs - Frontrunner in sorting and recycling of - Fragmented research landscape, waste.. - Extended regulation and complexity of Belgian institutional structure, - Little funding programs for valorisation of biobased applications. Opportunities Threats - Existing policy and initiatives, e.g. - Little own technology development, transversal action materials - Growing competition from cooperating management, biomass inventory, ..., European clusters without involvement - Co-operation with the Netherlands of Flanders and other pilot installations, - Entrepreneurial mindset within - Insufficient harmonization of legislation companies and policy.
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 42 Vision of the Flemish government . Five strategic goals . SD1: Development of a coherent Flemish policy supporting and facilitating a sustainable bio-economy. . SD2: Bring Flanders at the top for training and education and research and development in future-oriented bio- economy clusters. . SD3: Biomass is produced optimally and sustainably throughout the full value chain . SD4: Strengthen markets and competitiveness of bio- economy sectors in Flanders. . SD5: Make Flanders an important partner in European and international partnerships.
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 43 Transition to a biobased economy . Clear vision . not only product and process optimization . also structural changes in systems fulfilling societal functions (e.g. energy, mobility and food system) . Biomass is heterogeous range of technologies . New supply chains . large diversity in quality (cf. contaminated verge cuttings) . large seasonal variety . Innovation of business models: co-creation . Labour market . volume of employment . content of professions and competences
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 44 What is the role of education in that transition? ? What is the role of education? . Demand for greener employment profiles by introducing sustainability within education . Market consultation: “The professional of the future of the Biobased Economy” 1. Round table discussions with experts from the BBE 2. Quantitative market consultation among enterprises 3. Focus group
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 46 Competences for the BBE
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 47 Which competences are important according to BBE firms?
. Need for multidisciplinary profiles that are capable of valorizing technological innovation . systems thinking . integration of sustainability as learning line in education (1st place in list of valorisation competences, even ranked higher than cost calculation) . do not put (business) economics in a separate course, but integrate financial feasibility within a research/design project for biobased innovations . learn to cooperate across disciplines and educational levels relational and communication competences improve sense of responsibility . entrepreneurial education
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 48 Learning line systems and sustainability thinking . Co-development of educational material for 1. Systems thinking . identify all relevant actors in the value chain of the biobased economy . analyze mutual relations and interdependency between all actors/stakeholders . investigate the consequences of the choices w.r.t. the BBE on existing systems (consumption, production, energy, mobility, food, ...)
2. Sustainability thinking . imrpove the positive attitude towards sustainability . development of technological solutions for societal challenges that create additional value in three domains: ecologically, socially and economically
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 49 Learning line systems and sustainability thinking
. Didactical approach for the integration of sustainability in professional behaviour
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 50 Learning line valorisation competences
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 51 Crossborder Biobased Education
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 52 More information?
www.biobasedonderwijs.eu
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 53 Vragen?
Prof. dr. Tom Kuppens Assistant professor [email protected] +32 11 26 87 55
UHasselt - CMK Environmental Economics
Academic coordinator postgraduate Biobased and Circular Economy
Website: www.cleantecheconomics.be
28/02/2019 Biobased economy - T. Kuppens 54