BUSINESS CASE ASSESSMENT FOR BIOCOAL MARKET UPTAKE

Project Information

BCA-BIOCOAL

Grant agreement ID: 101194517

DOI

10.3030/101194517

Project closed

EC signature date 6 November 2024

Start date 1 December 2024

End date 30 November 2025

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CONSORZIO PER LA RICERCA E LA DIMOSTRAZIONE SULLE ENERGIE RINNOVABILI
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BCA-BIOCOAL (BUSINESS CASE ASSESSMENT FOR BIOCOAL MARKET UPTAKE)

Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The construction sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement production alone responsible for approximately 8% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions. As the demand for infrastructure and buildings continues to grow, so does the urgency to find innovative solutions that can reduce the environmental impact of construction materials and processes.
Traditional cement manufacturing relies heavily on fossil-based resources, resulting in significant carbon emissions and resource depletion. At the same time, large volumes of biogenic and waste materials are generated across Europe, many of which remain underutilized despite their potential for valorisation in sustainable industrial applications.
The BCA-BIOCOAL project addresses these challenges by exploring the use of biocoal—a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of biogenic or waste streams—as an additive in cement and other construction products. Building on the technological advances of the H2STEEL project, which demonstrated the feasibility of using biocoal in steelmaking, BCA-BIOCOAL aims to expand the application of this innovative material to the construction sector, where its adoption could deliver substantial environmental and economic benefits.

The overall objectives of the project are to:

- Assess the technical and economic feasibility of integrating biocoal into cement manufacturing and construction materials.
- Conduct a comprehensive market analysis to identify opportunities, challenges, and strategic pathways for biocoal market uptake.
- Develop a robust business case and market entry strategy to support the commercialisation of biocoal-based products.
- Foster collaboration between research organisations, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to accelerate the transition to low-carbon construction practices.

By achieving these objectives, BCA-BIOCOAL seeks to contribute to the decarbonisation of the construction sector, promote the circular use of resources, and support the European Union’s climate and sustainability goals. The project’s expected impacts include reduced CO2 emissions, increased resource efficiency, and the creation of new market opportunities for sustainable materials—helping to pave the way for a greener, more resilient built environment.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work Performed and Main Achievements
During the project, BCA-BIOCOAL undertook a series of technical and scientific activities aimed at evaluating and promoting the use of biocoal as a sustainable additive in cement and construction materials. The work was structured into three main phases:
1. Market Assessment and Technical Feasibility
The project began with a comprehensive market assessment to determine the potential for biocoal integration into the construction sector. This included:
- Analysis of market dynamics, customer preferences, and the competitive landscape for biocoal-based products.
- Identification of minimum quality requirements for biocoal in various applications.
- Evaluation of existing product demand and estimation of the market share that biocoal could capture.
- Assessment of technological and regulatory factors influencing adoption.

Experimental activities were conducted to characterize biocoal produced from biogenic and waste streams, focusing on its physical and chemical properties relevant to cement and concrete applications. Laboratory trials investigated the impact of biocoal incorporation on material strength, durability, and thermal insulation properties.

2. Strategy Definition and Risk Analysis
Based on the findings from the market and technical assessment, the project developed a market entry strategy. This phase included:
- Analysis of market risks and barriers to adoption.
- Financial analysis to estimate costs, revenue projections, and return on investment for biocoal-based products.
- Identification of potential industrial and financial partners to support future deployment.

3. Business Case Development
The final phase involved the development of a robust business case for biocoal market uptake. This included:
- Definition of strategic objectives and measurable outcomes for the proposed initiative.
- Detailed evaluation of market conditions, trends, and competitive environment.
- Quantification of both financial and non-financial benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions, cost savings, and improved operational efficiency.

Main Achievements and Outcomes

- Technical Validation: The project demonstrated that biocoal produced from waste streams can be successfully integrated into cement and construction materials, maintaining or improving material performance while reducing carbon emissions.
- Market Insights: The market assessment identified significant opportunities for biocoal adoption in the construction sector, supported by growing demand for sustainable materials and favorable regulatory trends.
- Business Case: A comprehensive business case was developed, providing clear evidence of the economic and environmental benefits of biocoal, and outlining a feasible pathway for market entry.
- Scientific Contribution: The project contributed to the broader understanding of biocoal’s properties and its potential applications, supporting future research and innovation in sustainable construction.

BCA-BIOCOAL delivered a final report summarizing the technical findings, market analysis, and business case, providing stakeholders with actionable insights to support the transition to low-carbon construction practices.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

At the conclusion of the project, BCA-BIOCOAL has delivered a validated technical pathway for integrating biocoal into cement and construction materials, a comprehensive market assessment and business case (demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of biocoal), a number of recommendations for further research, demonstration, and policy support to enable large-scale adoption.

These results position biocoal as a promising solution for decarbonising the construction sector and advancing the European Union’s sustainability agenda.