Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BIO4AFRICA (Diversifying revenue in rural Africa through circular, sustainable and replicable bio-based solutions and business models)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-06-01 al 2022-11-30
African agri-food systems are at the crossroads of major socio-economic and environmental challenges and have the potential to significantly contribute to poverty reduction and food security while promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development. The introduction of bioeconomy in African forage agri-food systems can offer a suite of new opportunities for rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable.However barriers such as the lack of quality feed, suitable bio-based technologies, and expertise and resources to set up viable business models can hinder the exploitation of these opportunities. BIO4AFRICA sets the overall objective to support the deployment of the bioeconomy in rural Africa via the development of bio-based solutions and value chains with a circular approach to drive the cascading use of local resources and diversify the income of farmers. Our focus is on transferring simple, small-scale and robust biobased techs adapted to local biomass, needs and contexts (green biorefinery, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonisation, briquetting, pelletising, bio-composites and bioplastics production). In doing so we aim at empowering farmers to sustainably produce a variety of higher value bio-based products and energy (animal feed, fertiliser, pollutant absorbents, construction materials, packaging, solid fuel for cooking and ingredients for biogas production), significantly improving the environmental, economic and social performance of their agri-food systems. To this end, we have set up 4 pilot cases in Uganda, Ghana, Senegal and Cote D' Ivoire, offering to farmers and farmer groups the opportunity to test the provided solutions in real productive conditions. By taking a multi-actor approach and prioritizing a zero-waste ethos while ensuring food security, we aim to provide African rural communities with the means to secure, increase, and diversify their income.
So far, the analysis of the needs and contexts of target farmers and rural communities with a gender lens was successfully conducted through different tools and approaches including scientific and technical desk and field research,mapping of targeted local agri-food systems, available feedstocks and value chains, screening of existing bio-based technologies and assessment of available funding and financing options. All findings have been synthesized to compile a comprehensive multi-perspective view of the needs and contexts of focal farmers and communities, their value chains as well as the screened bio-based technologies driven by partners. A selection of 27 local biomass feedstock available in large amounts has been carried out by local African partners and their quality has been evaluated in terms of suitability for the focused technologies via the creation of a database of properties. In terms of technology transfer, the small scale green biorefinery has been successfully adapted for the local context. The selected biomasses for pyrolysis processes are being tested to define the best operating conditions and the pyrolysis technology to be adapted and transfered has been selected. A first version of the HTC pilot unit is being constructed locally in Senegal and there are lab experiments ongoing on typha and reactor modelling to adapt the operating conditions. Pelletization experiments on the biomasses selected for Côte d’Ivoire are being evaluated for suitability feedstock/process and adaptation of the operating conditions in pilots. Literature review on biocomposite production using the feedstock selected and biomass preparation for further characterization and tests in the press is being done. Several scenarios concerning the technologies that will be transferred or developed in each pilot case have been developed, local teams and suitable pilot sites for the installation and operation of technologies have been defined and detailed GANNT charts per pilot case have been developed, taking into account feedstock availability, accessibility of technologies at a local level, technological developments of the project and local needs. The small- scale green biorefinery has been installed and operating in Uganda, while preliminary tests with local technologies are being conducted regarding biochar production and densification outputs, as well as novel applications of biochar such as for water filtration media. The first steps of LCA, s-LCA and LCC assessment have already taken place (preparation of inventory template, drafting of process flow diagrams). 4 Market Scenario and 4 Value Proposition workshops have been organized and 28 interviews with stakeholders have been carried out to inform the development of 10 Circular business models. Moreover, the definition of raising awareness campaigns specifications for all the pilot cases has been accomplished followed by the development of an action plan tailored to the needs of each pilot . 20 companies (5 per country) have been selected from the agribusiness sector to take part in the business acceleration programme. A dissemination and communication strategy has been designed and implemented, entailing web portal and social media accounts, promotional material, videos, newsletters and articles and mutually beneficial synergies with relevant projects and networks.
The first of its kind extensive mapping of small-scale biobased technologies amenable to be implemented in rural Africa context has been conducted by BIO4AFRICA. Additionally, systematic comparative studies are being carried out on a large set consisting in more than 40 African biomass samples with high availability potential on the improvement of the suitability between feedstock/technology and products targeted in the specific African rural context, filling the gap of poor documentation of African biomass feedstock in terms of properties and behaviour during processing. A small-scale green biorefinery has been adapted to the local feedstock and rural context and is already operating in Uganda. A series of pyrolysis lab experiments has been conducted on local biomass feedstocks in line with requirements for each specific biochar application of interest for BIO4AFRICA and the Brazilian kilns pyrolysis technology to be transferred is tested for adaptation. Analysis of the results of biochar obtained in different operating conditions will be used to adapt operating conditions at pilot sites for biochar with customised properties for each application. Research work on applications of biochar at an early stage of development, such as for water filtration media,have been initiated. An HTC technology with small capacity, economically affordable, robust and suitable to local wet biomass feedstocks has been constructed locally in Senegal and a first series of 33 lab scale tests has been performed. In parallel, a numerical model is being developed considering reactor hydrodynamics, with emphasis on the understanding of the stirring effect. In parallel to this work of adaptation/optimization, a first version of the HTC pilot unit is being constructed locally in Senegal. Preparatory work is being conducted on tailored production processes for low cost construction and packaging bio-based materials, valorising local biomass and agri-food waste. Last but not least, 10 novel circular bio-based business models have been developed through a mutli-actor participatory approach and a methodology for their validation is being developed.