Cascading recycling of organic N-sources with next-generation biochar fertilizer for Norwegian agriculture

Recycling waste nitrogen into valuable fertilizer is a priority for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. A major nitrogen loss from agriculture occurs through the volatilization of ammonia (NH3) from animal wastes and composting processes, which contributes to respiratory disease, soil acidification, ecosystem disruption, and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biochar has been proposed as a way to improve the nitrogen cycle in agriculture, but appropriate technology and functional value chains are still lacking. The main objective of AgriCascade is to create a next-generation fertilizer by capturing polluting agricultural NH3 emissions onto novel, high-sorbent biochar produced from wood and forest residues. Cascading effects on pollution abatement, reduced GHG emissions, increased carbon sequestration, and smart fertilization will support an implementable circular solution for the farming sector. The project builds on recent advances in biochar activation technology for sorbing NH3, as well as the development of industrial production capacity for biochar in Norway. In AgriCascade, we have so far produced several types of biochar, including those with pre-pyrolysis treatments specifically designed to increase NH3 absorption capacity. Additionally, as biochar dust has proven to be a challenge in filter technology, we have created a new industrial process for reduced-dust biochar. We have also developed a first prototype of an industrial-scale biochar filter for composting and animal production facilities. Following preliminary NH3-sorption experiments, we have identified the need to develop monitoring systems with greater precision, which we are currently working on. We have also started gathering appropriate data for conducting a life-cycle analysis of the cascading use of biochar-NH3 in an agricultural setting.

Recycling waste N towards fertilization is a priority of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. A major N loss from agriculture occurs through ammonia volatilisation from animal wastes and composting processes, contributing to respiratory disease, soil acidification, disruption to ecosystems, and indirect GHG emission. Biochar has been proposed to improve the N cycle in agriculture, but appropriate technology and functional value chains are lacking. The main objective of AgriCascade is to create a next-generation fertiliser made from capturing polluting agricultural NH3 emissions onto novel high-sorbent biochar produced from wood and forest residues. Cascading effects on pollution abatement, reduced GHG emissions, increased C sequestration, and smart fertilization will support an implementable circular solution for the farming sector. The project builds on key recent advances made by the project partners in: NH3 sorption by activated biochars, capacity for industrial production of biochar in Norway, and LCA analysis models for biochar and biochar fertilizers from forest residues in Norway. AgriCascade will: 1) design and characterize novel biochar sorbents, 2) pilot test NH3 capture in lab, industry and farm conditions, 3) design and test a novel fertilizer product using the biochar-captured NH3-N and 4) document benefits of the value chain through LCA in terms of pollution abatement, climate change mitigation and economic outcomes, and 5) create venues through multi-actor dialog for implementing the new filter and fertilizer technologies in a wide array of agricultural applications. A decrease in CH4 emissions and increased C storage in soils will be co-benefits. The project will support the transition towards a sustainable circular economy and answer six of the UN SDGs.