Climate Positive Drying System for Coffee Industries using a highly disruptive Pyrolysis Technology

Informations projet

PYROTECH

N° de convention de subvention: 836243

DOI

10.3030/836243

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 30 Novembre 2018

Date de début 1 Decembre 2018

Date de fin 31 Mars 2019

Financé au titre de

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Coût total

€ 71 429,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordonné par

SOFIES-EMAC AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PYROTECH (Climate Positive Drying System for Coffee Industries using a highly disruptive Pyrolysis Technology)

Période du rapport: 2018-12-01 au 2019-03-31

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

The green consciousness paradigm is demanding that the complete agro-food value chain be sustainable, but in coffee and rice sectors, farmers are facing two issues: the progressive soil depletion due to intensive farming and monoculture, and water pollution due to the production left-overs. Moreover, coffee farmers are barely profitable due to the difficulties to get a stable and high-quality drying.
This project is aimed at addressing these three aspects by providing PyroTech a solution that will help transition coffee farmers at their production capacity to a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable practices. PyroTech produces biochar, out of agro-food waste and is a powerful soil enhancer. The excess heat released can then be used for drying purposes.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

During the reporting period, we determined the technical options to boost the performance and return on investment for the buying farmer, these include ideal pre-drying unit configuration, the automation layout, material changes to reduce Capex and Opex. Thus, we have determined the optimization criteria for PyroTech, particularly the process parameters which has led to the final process specifications.We also determined the best business models as well as key partners for wider PyroTech market adoption. Finally we have analysed the financial viability of PyroTech during commercialisation.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

PyroTech will be the first affordable solution in the market able to produce clean heat needed for drying coffee cherries, and making possible the production of biochar to be used as a soil enhancer. The impacts of PyroTech, are:
Reduced machinery cost for the farmer- offering 4-10 times cheaper pyrolysis systems.
Additional income for the farmer - generates additional income 700 €/t from biochar sales.
Increased sustainability and resilience- more than 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced within the first three years of use due to the carbon sequestration potential of coffee husk usage as fuel and biochar produced. The biochar will limit the use of chemical fertilizers, providing better resilience to local populations.

PyroTech prototype