uP_running 1st Monograph has been just released: Feasible practices from pruning and plantation removal
Get an insight to the current status of use of Agricultural Pruning and Plantation Removal (APPR) biomass, its challenges, the possible alternatives to organize a value chain, and practical recommendations
September
3
2018
The use of APPR biomass is possible. It is a fact. There are multiple examples along Europe that prove it can be utilized. The utilization of agro-residues as a source of biomass is an opportunity for supporting the expansion of the bioeconomy in Europe. Among the multiple agro-residues, those produced from vineyards, olive groves and fruit plantations represent a significant potential for many EU countries. Specifically, the woody biomass residues from Agricultural Pruning and Plantation Removal (APPR from now onwards) is a paradigm of agro-residues being produced year after year, and in the vast majority of the cases, not utilized as a resource for added value activities like the production of energy, biochemical or other biocommodities.
As explained in the report, the use of APPR biomass is possible and there are multiple examples along Europe that prove it. However, in spite of a large potential (estimated more than 20 Mt of dry matter per year), Europe seems a bit stuck and the cases of success in establishing a value chain for APPR biomass are scarce and scattered. There are multiple reasons for this situation, which are related to technical and, first and foremost, non-technical constraints such as cultural attitude, current regulatory framework, market prices of fossil or other biomass fuels.
This is the first of a series of three monographs to be released by uP_running. Two more monographs are expected to be produced by the end of the project. The next one will focus on the sustainable soil condition to remove woody residues obtained after pruning and uprooting operations and the existing options to maintain or improve the soil organic matter.. While, the last one will summarize the keys for success to develop a new APPR biomass initiative, based on the analysis of multiple existing cases, and on the specific lessons learned from the entrepreneurs accompanied by uP_running from 2017 till 2019.
In order to widely facilitate the information, this monograph will be translated in Italian, Greek, Spanish, Ukrainian, French, Portuguese and Czech language by the end of September 2018 and further published on the uP_running project national pages.
