An overview of publications prepared by Biomass Research staff. Feel free to download any publications you might find useful.
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| Title | Description | Download | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade-off between maize stover use for biogas and soil fertility | This poster provides a better understanding of how farmers in Western Kenya manage maize stover and the trade-offs between using it for energy or maintaining soil health. In highland areas, where soil erosion is a major concern, leaving maize stover on the field is often the better choice. In other areas, it can be used to produce biogas as an alternative to firewood especially for larger households with higher energy needs. Good land preparation, careful manure management, and timely weeding can increase maize yields and stover production. Stover can be converted to biogas and bioslurry, aiding farmers sustainably. | 0 Downloads | 2023 |
| Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC) production and application | This presentation provides an overview of compost and composting processes, including different composting methods and the key phases involved. It explains how bioslurry (digestate) can be used to enrich compost and produce Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC), along with practical application methods. The presentation covers both small and large-scale composting systems. | 22 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI Report on support BEC standardisation, labelling, rules & regulations | This report summarizes the existing standards and policies related to organic fertilisers in Kenya, Uganda, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It includes an overview assessing the completeness of these standards and policies against a set of key parameters, including: packaging, definitions of “organic (fertiliser)”, “fertiliser”,“compost”, “manure”, quality control, contaminants and institutional support. It also outlines country-specific action plans to address identified gaps and strengthen the regulatory and policy framework in each of the five countries. | 36 Downloads | 2025 |
| Bioslurry for improved soils and yields in West Africa | This poster presents the benefits of biodigesters beyond biogas, focusing on bioslurry and Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC). These organic fertilizers improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce erosion in West African cropping systems. Modelling shows that 15 years of bioslurry application could reduce soil erosion by 50% in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in tomato systems. Long-term use builds soil organic matter, gradually releasing nutrients and lowering the need for repeated applications. It was presented at the RAMIRAN Conference in 2025. | 38 Downloads | 2025 |
| Bioslurry for improved soils and yields in East Africa | This poster presents the agricultural benefits of biodigesters beyond biogas. Bioslurry and Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC) improve soil health, boost crop yields, and reduce erosion. Based on field surveys, desk reviews, and modelling studies, the findings show that bioslurry and BEC improve soil chemical, physical, and biological properties. Long-term application increases soil organic matter, reduces erosion (up to 52% in Kenya and 34% in Uganda in maize systems), and gradually lowers the required application rate due to ongoing nutrient mineralisation. It was presented at the RAMIRAN Conference in 2025. | 40 Downloads | 2025 |
| The biodigester’s business case | This poster explains the benefits of bioslurry and Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC) for farmers in Uganda and Kenya (in English), and the Sahel region (in French). These organic fertilizers enhance crop yields, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, and offer a fast return on investment within 1 to 3 years. | 35 Downloads | 2025 |
| Best practices for bio-slurry storage to minimize losses | The poster presents the best practices to avoid nutrient loss from bioslurry during storage. These practices include covering the storage, creating a barrier layer in the ground to prevent leaching, and providing ample storage to avoid overflow. Available in English and French. | 37 Downloads | 2024 |
| Best practices for bio-slurry storage to minimize losses (in French) | The poster presents the best practices to avoid nutrient loss from bioslurry during storage. These practices include covering the storage, creating a barrier layer in the ground to prevent leaching, and providing ample storage to avoid overflow. Available in English and French. | 40 Downloads | 2024 |
| Reducing nitrogen losses during bioslurry application | This poster presents the different forms of bio-slurry (liquid, dried, and composted), the major pathways of nitrogen loss during application such as volatilization, denitrification, and leaching with practical strategies to reduce nutrient losses. It emphasizes proper timing, mulching, and suitable application conditions to improve nutrient efficiency. | 53 Downloads | 2024 |
| Process of making Bioslurry Enriched Compost | This poster presents the process of producing Bio-Slurry Enriched Compost (BEC), including proper layering techniques, moisture and temperature management, common challenges, and indicators of compost maturity. Available in English and French. | 41 Downloads | 2024 |
| Process of making Bioslurry Enriched Compost (in French) | This poster presents the process of producing Bio-Slurry Enriched Compost (BEC), including proper layering techniques, moisture and temperature management, common challenges, and indicators of compost maturity. Available in English and French. | 38 Downloads | 2024 |
| Impacts of different organic fertilisers (in French) | This poster presents short- and long-term effects of chemical and organic fertilisers, based on results from the OFVI project (2021–2025). Short-term effects include immediate nutrient release. Long-term effects relate to changes in soil pH and impacts on soil physical structure, soil water-holding capacity, nutrient buffering capacity, slow nutrient release, and soil life (macrofauna, fungi, and bacteria). Available in English and French. | 39 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI poster: Burkina Faso soils benefiting most from bio-slurry and BEC | This poster presents a spatial analysis identifying soils in Burkina Faso that can benefit most from bioslurry and Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC). The results show that 37% of the country’s land has excellent potential for improvement, particularly in areas with low organic matter and/or high soil acidity. Available in French only. | 35 Downloads | 2024 |
| Annual report for the year 2024 of the Platform for Bio-Economy (PBE) | In the Netherlands, the use of woody biomass for energy purposes amounted to 2.9 million tonnes in 2024, representing a decrease of approximately 10% compared to 2023. This decline was mainly due to reduced co-firing.The share of demonstrably sustainable biomass has increased significantly, with 2.0 million tonnes certified under SBP, GGL, and Better Biomass schemes. About 1.1 million tonnes of the biomass used originated in the Netherlands, while imported biomass primarily from North America is mostly used for co-combustion. Available in Dutch only. | 78 Downloads | 2025 |
| Biomethane potential of urban food waste in Africa | Expansion of Anaerobic Digestion in Africa is limited by high investment costs and concerns about feedstock availability. Currently, the focus is mostly on digestion of animal manure. There is, however, a huge amount of untapped potential feedstocks. Urban and household waste, including sewage sludge, represent a significant biomethane potential due to their high organic content, moisture level and biodegradability. This poster evaluates the biomethane potential of urban food waste in Africa, which may amount to 24 billion cubic meter (BCM). | 260 Downloads | 2025 |
| Sustainability impacts of No-ILUC SAF feedstock production in existing cropping systems | Producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) feedstocks within existing cropping systems helps to improve soil health and water quality. Growing crops like Camelina and Carinata during fallow periods generates valuable SAF feedstocks, sequesters soil carbon and reduces soil erosion while avoiding the risk of land use change (iLUC). Presented during the 33rd EUBCE conference held in Valencia (Spain), in June 2025. | 259 Downloads | 2025 |
| OFVI Guidelines for bio-slurry and BEC production | This report provides guidelines for the production and use of bioslurry and Bioslurry Enriched Compost (BEC). These guidelines are intended for use in Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions conducted by biodigester companies, public agricultural extension services, agro-input enterprises, and Vocational Training Centers (VTCs). They cover aspects such as product quality, shared ownership and responsibilities, and gender inclusivity. | 413 Downloads | 2024 |
| Impacts of different organic fertilisers | This poster lists direct (short term) and indirect (long term effects) of chemical and various types of organic fertilizers including farmyard manure (FYM), compost, bioslurry (digestate), and compost made with bioslurry (Bioslurry Enriched Compost or BEC). Short-term effects include immediate nutrient release. Long term effects relate to changes in soil pH and impact on soil physical structure, soil water holding capacity and nutrient buffering capacity, slow release of nutrients and soil life (macrofauna, fungi and bacteria) in a clear and transparent way. It draws from more detailed reports published in the Organic Fertilizer Valorization Implementer (OFVI) project running between 2021 and 2025. | 259 Downloads | 2024 |
| Annual report for the year 2023 of the Platform for Bio-Economy (PBE) | Annual report prepared for the Platform for Bio-Economy (PBE), on the use and import of woody biomass for energy purposes in 2023. This report shows the Netherlands’ move towards more sustainable biomass options, such as wood shreds and chips. Available in Dutch only. | 411 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI poster: Kenyan soils benefiting most from bio-slurry and BEC | The poster shows that bio-slurry and Bio-slurry Enriched Compost (BEC) enhance soil fertility and crop productivity in Kenya, particularly in areas with low organic matter or high acidity. These solutions support sustainable agriculture across 30% of the country’s land. | 470 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI poster: feedstock influence on bio-slurry quality and methane yield | The poster, created as part of the OFVI project, illustrates that combining cattle manure with maize stover enhances biogas production, while chicken manure and sisal pulp produce nutrient-rich bio-slurry. | 474 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI report INC7: feedstock influence on bio-slurry quality in Kenya | Kenya generates 112 million tonnes of biomass residues annually, with two-thirds coming from animal manure. The highest biogas yields are achieved by mixing kitchen waste, sugar filter cake, and maize stover. Kitchen waste and chicken manure provide nitrogen, while fruit waste, banana stems, and coffee pulp supply potassium. | 445 Downloads | 2023 |
| OFVI report INC5: literature review on best practices for bio-slurry and BEC | Literature review assessing the potential nutrient and fertilizer value of bio-slurry and BEC under prevailing conditions in the project’s target countries: Kenya, Uganda, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Summaries and detailed overview of most prominent publications on bio-slurry and bio-slurry-enriched compost (BEC) application, composition, short-and-long-term effects on soils and crop growth. | 488 Downloads | 2023 |
| HOOP presentation: evaluating and improving circular bioeconomy in cities and regions | Research4Life presented in the HOOP webinar series. The presentation showed research results : an inventory of biowaste and Urban Waste Sludge (UWWS) streams in eight cities and regions, from collection, to treatment, and to post-treatment utilization. The outcome of the research allows cities to evaluate current waste management and to find solutions for novel circular processes from there. | 457 Downloads | 2024 |
| OFVI ABC presentation Sahel meeting 2024 (FR) | Slides from the OFVI consortium presentation held at the ABC Sahel meeting in Cotonou, Benin. The members of the OFVI consortium (Biomass Research, SNV, and DIBcoop), presented key achievements, plans for the upcoming years, and inputs from ABC partners and implementers. | 537 Downloads | 2024 |
| BIOMOB conference presentation 2024 | Presentation by Biomass Research, at BioMob3, a strategy event on mobilising biomass feedstock in Europe, focusing on making green feedstocks available to replace fossil carbon in industry and transport in the context of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED3). It addresses two key biofuel issues: food vs. fuel and indirect land use change (ILUC), concluding that existing agricultural systems could integrate biofuels as cover crops, offering benefits for soil health, the environment, and renewable feedstock production. | 535 Downloads | 2024 |
| Annual report for the year 2022 of the Platform for Bio-Economy (PBE) | Annual report prepared for the Platform for Bio-Economy (PBE), on the use and import of woody biomass for energy purposes in the Netherlands in 2022 including data on source, country of origin, form and sustainability certification. | 610 Downloads | 2023 |
| Feedstock impact biogas and bioslurry quality | Showing which feedstocks and combinations of feedstock yield most biogas, and highest quality bioslurry. | 333 Downloads | 2023 |
IEA Bioenergy iLUC Report 2022 | This report from the IEA Bioenergy study reviews narratives and methods used to project the effects of U.S. biofuel expansion, particularly after the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) of 2005. It examines studies on indirect impacts of increased corn use for ethanol, focusing on two main narratives. The trade and market response narrative links higher U.S. ethanol production to local shortages, rising prices, and ripple effects in global markets. The internal adjustment response narrative highlights domestic agricultural adjustments, such as increased corn planting, improved crop yields, and more efficient resource use, in response to biofuel production targets. | 1501 Downloads | 2022 |
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Valorisation of rural and urban biowaste HOOP Urban metabolism 2022 | This presentation summarises Research 4 Life’s methodology for evaluating and promoting urban biowaste valorisation routes within the HOOP project. The focus is on municipal waste, including food waste, wood waste, and wastewater. It also provides some background information on urban metabolism and circular economy concepts, as well as the HOOP project and participating cities and regions. | 932 Downloads |
2022 |
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Fact sheet Urban metabolism HOOP | The HOOP project (Hub of Circular Cities bOOsting Platform) supports eight European cities and regions in developing their bioeconomy initiatives. This fact sheet presents Research 4 Life’s urban metabolism analysis of resource and waste flows in these jurisdictions and highlights opportunities for more efficient waste management. Currently, about 60% of biowaste in HOOP cities and regions is treated with composting or anaerobic digestion, while large amounts still end up in mixed waste streams. Improving waste separation is a key step towards improving biowaste valorisation in the circular economy. | 998 Downloads |
2022 |
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Summary annual report 2020 from the Platform Bio-Economy (PBE) | Summary of the annual report from the Platform Bio-Economy (PBE) and Biomass Research about the use of woody biomass for energy production in the Netherlands. | 919 Downloads |
2022 |
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Valorisation of rural and urban biowaste feedstocks technologies and production chains | Valorisation of rural and urban biowaste: feedstocks, technologies and production chains – a presentation for Bio energy and biomass held on 23 April 2021. | 1053 Downloads |
2021 |
| U.S. Corn Use for Ethanol | The causal basis for many of the relationships in models used to estimate the indirect effects of U.S. biofuels on global agricultural markets has not been adequately established. This paper addresses this gap by examining causal interactions among corn market variables through which the indirect effects of U.S. corn use for ethanol would be transmitted. | 1455 Downloads | 2021 |
| Variable demand as a means to more sustainable biofuels and biobased materials | Based on a survey, an expert workshop, and relevant literature, the effects of a variable biofuel demand approach are evaluated with respect to food security, agricultural productivity, detrimental land-use change, and feedstock competition with biobased chemicals and materials. Here we provide evidence that variable biofuel demand can enhance the synergistic development of agriculture, renewable biomass feedstocks and biofuels, but implementation faces several challenges. | 1984 Downloads | 2020 |
| PBE Jaarrapportage 2019 | Annual report from the Platform Bio-Economy (PBE) and Biomass Research about the use of woody biomass for energy production in the Netherlands. Available in Dutch only. | 1317 Downloads | 2020 |
| Report on expert workshop on variable demand for biofuels | This IEA Bioenergy Task 43 report presents the results of a one-day Expert Workshop on “Variable demand as an avenue to sustainable first generation biofuels and biobased chemicals” that was held 3 December 2018 in The Hague (NL). Read more about the project here. | 1483 Downloads | 2020 |
| Mobilising Sustainable Supply Chains – Biogas Cases | This report is part of a broader IEA Bioenergy InterTask Project ‘Mobilising sustainable bioenergy supply chains’. It discusses: biogas production from organic residues, biogas production from the organic fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), use of oil palm residues, and co-digestion of agricultural residues (manure and substrates). | 1746 Downloads | 2020 |
| Outline of a sustainable and efficient bioenergy policy framework | A workshop, titled ‘Outline of a sustainable and efficient bioenergy policy framework’, was organised by IEA Bioenergy Task 43 on May 16, 2018 at the occasion of the 26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition held in Copenhagen. | 1469 Downloads | 2020 |
| Reststromen uit bos en houtverwerkende industrie | This report examines the question of how many woody residual flows in the Netherlands and surrounding countries are available for the production of bioenergy. This report utilizes existing public information sources, whereby calculations are worked out in an unambiguous manner. Calculations and results are presented in a transparent manner. Available in Dutch only. | 1505 Downloads | 2020 |
| Ethanol from sugar beet in The Netherlands: energy production and efficiency | Prospects for ethanol production from sugar beet in The Netherlands have been analysed using measured production data from two experimental farms and literature on beet to ethanol conversion. The analyses include beet cultivation and harvesting, transport to the factory, conversion into ethanol and delivery of the ethanol to distribution points. | 2434 Downloads | 2017 |
| Using Smallholder Farm and Household Data for Fertiliser Advisory Services | This report presents an overview of existing literature on farm size and composition, family conditions and other endowments and their relation to crop production. Specific attention is given to nutrient use, soil management and other elements of crop production in the study area. | 1436 Downloads | 2016 |
| Netherlands position biobased economy FBR Biomass Research 2016 | This study evaluates developments in the Netherlands vis-à-vis similar developments in other countries in Europe. The main focus is on comparing policy, research and market developments in six countries in the North-west of the continent (the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and Denmark). | 3318 Downloads | 2016 |
| RESFARM Report database structure Biomass Research | Biomass Research has been asked to develop a database structure plus data entry system under Work Package 3 (Data collection and analysis) which can be used by other project partners. The main aim of the database is to collect farm data in the three countries covered by the project, facilitating a uniform and efficient analysis. A mobile data entry module was developed to allow quick and efficient entry of answers that were given by the farmers in the specific countries and regions. | 5006 Downloads | 2016 |
| The Agrics approach | This report describes the way Agrics supports their advice services by using available information on soils, crops, and weather. The main focus is on identifying existing knowledge and data sources and exploring potential ways to integrate them in the information flow and knowledge base needed for a successful development of Geodatics. | 2954 Downloads | 2015 |
| Note on indirect land use effect | This note has been prepared at the request of the Commissie Duurzaamheidsvraagstukken Biomassa (Commission on Sustainability issues of Biomass; further referred to as CDB). CDB elaborates issues of sustainable biomass for bioenergy (mostly biofuels) production. | 4838 Downloads | 2015 |
| IEA Bioenergy intertas -project synthesis report mobilizing sustainable bioenergy supply chains | ‘Mobilizing sustainable bioenergy supply chains’ is a project carried out in the period 2013-2016, with involvement of many IEA Bioenergy experts. The project analysed sustainable bioenergy production systems to determine the factors critical to their mobilisation through a series of case studies. This work focused on five globally strategically significant bioenergy supply chains representing major global biomes and potential primary and residue supplies. | 1483 Downloads | 2015 |
| Survey bioeconomy report | This report presents the outcome of a survey held amongst European countries, identifying policies, R&D activities and success stories of the Bioeconomy which has been defined as encompassing the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into food, feed, biobased products and bioenergy. | 3320 Downloads | 2015 |
| Leermiddelen GKC | While a large number of initiatives are currently being developed in the Netherlands, there is a growing need for students who are familiar with the principles and practices of bio-based production chains. At the request of the GKC, Biomass Research has inventoried and described existing educational material and other material about the biobased economy that is suitable for education. Available in Dutch only. | 3078 Downloads | 2014 |
| ‘Where next’ for European bioeconomy report | This publication presents the latest thinking on the bioeconomy from the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research and the European Bioeconomy Panel. It is released on the occasion of the Bioeconomy Stakeholders’ Conference organised by the Italian Presidency of the European Union in Turin on 8-9 October 2014 | 2456 Downloads | 2014 |
| Cie Corbey 2014 Advies Verduurzaming Voedselsector | In 2020 the food requirement will be 70% higher than now, while available land is limited. At the same time, the demand for biomass is increasing. Sustainability of the agricultural and food sectors is desperately needed. In the Advice on Sustainable Food Sector, the Corbey Committee offers the cabinet workable solutions for making land use more sustainable, making optimal use of biomass and reducing CO2 emissions. Available in Dutch only. | 2408 Downloads | 2014 |
| Impact of oil spills on mangroves Nigeria | While deforestation and, more recently, crop production have been identified as major causes of carbon releases through changes in land cover, the debate on the contribution of fossil fuel production to land-based emissions is still on- going. This report determines the impact of oil production activities on mangroves in the Niger Delta by generating the best available estimates of oil discharge, and by assessing its impact on mangrove vegetation. | 3590 Downloads | 2014 |
| Analysing the effect of biofuel expansion on land use in major producing countries | Estimates on impacts of biofuel production often use models with limited ability to incorporate changes in land use, notably cropping intensity. This review studies biofuel expansion between 2000 and 2010 in Brazil, the USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Mozambique, South Africa plus 27 EU member states. | 2756 Downloads | 2013 |
| CE Delft Hoofdrapport De bodem in de bio economie | The impact on soils of further development of the biobased economy has been investigated. This study examines the effects on the organic matter content of soils, the nutrient requirements (NPK), water consumption, land use, ecotoxicity and climate balance, including soil effects for a total of 21 biomass supply chains. Available in Dutch only. | 2525 Downloads | 2013 |
| Bioethanol from sweet sorghum data checks | Initiatives have been taken to initate bioethanol production form sweet sorghum in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Objectives are to help establish sustainable biomass for ethanol production and to support (preparations for) sustainable biofuel certification. This report evaluates data on land and crop cultivation and biomass conversion as these have been presented in project documents and compares them to other references. | Download 2588 Downloads | 2011 |
| RE-Farms First Interim Deliverable | This report presents results of the project Impacts of Renewable Energy on European Farmers. It focuses on the (potential) role that on-farm generation of Renewable Energy in the EU-27 may play both in realisation of national and EU environmental targets as in (re)vitalising agriculture and rural economy in different regions of the Union. | 3728 Downloads | 2011 |
| Corré et al Analysis renewable energy directive NUTS-2 reports GHG emissions biofuel crops | The EC ‘Renewable Energy Directive’ (RED; EC, 2009) required national reports on the average greenhouse gas emissions from the cultivation of energy crops at NUTS-2 regional level. However, reporting calculation methods were not prescribed and therefore differences in reported emissions could be caused not only by differences in production systems, but also by differences in calculation methods. The aim of this analysis was to provide an overview of the methods and data used by individual countries and to evaluate the reported differences in emissions. | 2478 Downloads | 2011 |