1. Novihum Tech - Coal for Water Adaptation Booster
Improving soil health leads to higher yields and healthier plants. Novihum Technologies produces a nutrient-rich permanent humus granulate made from lignite (coal) which improves poor and degraded soils, improves plant resilience to drought, and increases plant yield by between per cent. Like biochar, this can quickly stabilise agricultural land, boost food security and productivity, as well as cut water use & irrigation.
IMPACT: GHG mitigation, sustainable food production, climate impact, enhanced productivity, cutting water use
STAGE: Founded in 2012 Germany, the company has attracted venture capital from investors in Europe and USA. It receives funding from Climate-KIC flagship Climate Smart Agriculture Booster from to involve academic partner, Brandenburgische Technische Universität (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg
SCALE: A pilot plant has been built in 2016 in Dortmund, Germany, with a total capacity of 1,000 t/a and 25 employees. It will help restore land lost to agriculture and could reduce the need for irrigation in drought stricken geographies. CSAb will build a network of partners and studies in the area of soil health.