1. Bio-economic projects in Region Zealand, Denmark
By Dr. Rikke Lybæk, University of Roskilde, Denmark
Presentation outline
- Methodology
- Problem area
- Project examples Region Zealand:
- Straw
- Sludge, P
- (Wood)
- (Sugar beet)
- Conclusions & IA implications

2. Methodology Research Question:
- Which bio-economic projects can beneficially be implemented in Region Zealand,
when looking at the available biomass resources and existing and reliable technical solutions?
Our understanding of biomass to utilize:
- Focus on biomass residues & existing crops in new ways of production, and for completely new products and services, etc.
Available local biomass residues:
- Within Region Zealand the following biomass resources are available; Straw, sludge, wood and sugar beet residues. (as opposed to crops being food & import of biomass).
Deploy existing and reliable technology:
- Start utilize existing and well-functioning biomass tech. adapted to the bio-economic context to commence a transition towards the use of renewable resources, then
- Parallel research & demonstration in more advanced & costly bio-refinery technology with long realization timeframe, and unsure economic profit.
Approaches in adapting bio-economic solutions:
- Circular Economy, Cascading of materials & energy, Resource Efficiency.
We do not focus on new biomass crops or crops with competitive usage as e.g. fodder

3. Problem area Bio-refinery
Existing bio-economic projects (drop-in strategy):
- Normally entails deployment of very advanced and costly bio-refineries with little success Scandinavia (Maabjerg Plant & Skåne Plant) = Downgraded to demo plants or closed down!
- Refinery made building blocks (e.g. C5+C6 sugars, syngas, oil, fiber) are used in an existing fossil chain.
- Building blocks used for: fuel, chemicals, fodder & high value products e.g. pharma-additives, aroma etc.
- Process require costly enzymes & steam at high pressure and temperature etc.
New bio-economic projects (new pathway):
- We will identify new low-cost pathways with focus on a bio-based non-fossil fuel value chain, that
- Utilizes the inherent & easily accessible qualities of biomass for new products, e.g. lignin in straw (strong).
Refinery’s use e.g. costly enzymes & steam with high pressure and temp to split up the biomass in building bloks (different fractions) to make bio-products. Giv eksempel på dette??

4. Project examples Region Zealand
Straw:
Resource:
- 300,000 tons of cereal straw residues are available in Region Zealand (of a total of 2,500, tons in DK).
The project:
- Straw-Processing-Station can provide different types of bio-energy, and low cost
- Fractions of Natural Fiber Plastic Composite (NFPC) be mechanically processed (e.g. grinded).
- The energy & NFPC substitute fossil fuels & new bio-products and services are produced, e.g.
- NFPC-fences and teresse-flooring (stronger, lighter., harder products due to lignin in straw).
- All RE energy services are based on well-proven biogas & combustion technologies.
Bioplast is made by grinding biomass, and then mixing it with fossil fuel plast by extrusion. Then the mix can be used as plastic komposittes.

5. Sludge:
Resources:
- Sludge generated in Region Zealand account for 3,400,000 tons, hereof 680 tons P (a mineral).
- Most of it lost to the aquatic's, or incinerated in waste incineration plants, or Not accessible for plants in the soil when distributed as sludge on the farm land.
- 80 % of the phosphor must now be re-cycled in DK before 2020 & Org. waste separated =biogas!
- Today, re-use of P from sludge (117 t. P), animal manure (263 t. P) & artificial supply (240 t. P).
The project:
- Collect P from waste-water on waste-water treatment plants in the Region Zealand, by
- A reactor with magnesium-salt that catches the P & nitrogen as struvite (60-90 t.), and will
- Substitute % P from artificial fertilizer ( t.) requiring much fossil energy to produce,
- Based on well-known technology & re-cycle a finite resource (P) & save fossil fuels.
P not accessible in the soil mixed with sludge from WWTP’s, du to iron fosfat in the P

6. Conclusion & IA implications
Utilize existing and available local biomass residues for different bio-economic projects.
Look at already proven and reliable technology, and then parallel seek to develop more advanced bio-refinery tech. for the future separating biomass into building blocks.
Existing ‘Drop-in strategy’ rely on expensive & un-mature high-tech. refineries, with little success in Denmark and Scandinavia.
The ‘New pathway’ will avoid a fossil fuel value chain and make bio-based products and services, deploying mature & well-known technology.
Can be implemented today based on existing & available biomass residues, and will
Generate new job opportunities and income in rural areas in DK lacking development.
We’ll see immediate environmental & economic impacts from such bio-economic projects.