Biomass Connect Showcase Event – Harnessing Innovation, the Future of Biomass

The dust has finally settled after the Biomass Connect Showcase event in Warwick earlier this month, and the Biomass Connect team has just about caught up on sleep – though we did manage to sneak out to another event since! The Showcase brought together over a hundred attendees, including companies, academics from Biomass Feedstock Innovation demonstrator projects, existing growers, biomass end users, government officials, and even those simply “biomass-curious.”

The conference began with insightful talks from Jeanette Whitaker (UKCEH) and Charlotte Powell (DESNZ), who provided perspectives on innovation from academic and government angles. Following this, DESNZ-funded projects on biomass crop breeding and propagation took the stage. Ian Shield from Rothamsted Research shared exciting developments in genomic selection to accelerate the breeding of new willow varieties, while Kerrie Farrar (Aberystwyth University) introduced “speed breeding” in Miscanthus, an approach that enables seedlings to mature into flowering plants within a single season. This innovation promises to significantly enhance the genomic selection process.

Paul Carver from New Energy Farms discussed their project assessing whether other biomass grasses such as Energycanes and Miscanes would grow well in UK conditions along with the application of their sugarcane-derived propagation technology.

Things then took a more global perspective as Tim Volk (SUNY College, USA) offered a comparative view of the willow industries in the USA and UK, emphasising the critical role of people and relationships and how we must cultivate these alongside the supply chain and technical advancements.

Panel Discussion

In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to diverse biomass uses. Teesdale Moorland Biomass shared their work on creating compost from heather, and John Hawkins, a farmer, detailed his experiences growing reed canary grass. Pietro Alasia presented insights into poplar cultivation in Italy, while Chris Johnston (AFBI) showcased the use of willow to manage farm water runoff, highlighting promising results. Kevin Lindegaard (Envirocrops) introduced decision-making tools and an educational game to help aspiring biomass crop growers evaluate their options.

Innovation in machinery took centre stage with Alex McCash (Terravesta), who described their OMENZ project achievements, including advancements in rhizome separation and planting efficiency. Zoe Harris (University of Surrey) demonstrated aeroponics as a cutting-edge propagation method for willow. The highlight, however, was undoubtedly Jamie Rickerby (Willow Energy), who stole the show with his robotic planting machine. This prototype, equipped with harvesting and planting capabilities, captivated the audience—especially the video of it autonomously planting willow, complete with disco lights for added flair!

Big-picture perspectives also featured prominently. Steve Smith (Oxford University) shared the findings of the “State of CDR” report, emphasising the global need for carbon dioxide removal technologies. Whether it’s trees, peatland restoration, biochar, wood products, or BECCS, the majority involve biomass in some way.  Erisa Senerdem (Argus Media) brought valuable insights from global biomass markets for agricultural residues like sugarcane bagasse and palm kernel shells. Particularly pertinent were comments about the importance of product specification, seasonality of supply, price volatility and matching to end user technologies.

Interactive elements enriched the experience. Delegates collaborated in workshops to envision the future of the biomass industry and participated in a fast-paced survey app session to capture views on various crops and end uses. Meanwhile, the exhibition area buzzed with activity as attendees explored project displays, sample products, and innovation highlights during coffee and lunch breaks.

The event concluded with a sense of optimism and energy for the future. Particular highlights were Jamie Rickerby’s robotic planting machine, complete with disco lights, and hearing Will Rowe (a second year agriculture student at Berkshire College of Agriculture), who spoke with real passion on how he and other future farmers might contribute to a future biomass industry. If even a small fraction of the young people in agriculture college are as bright and motivated as Will, the biomass industry can look forward to a bright future.

It was a busy and rewarding few days, filled with innovation, networking, and plenty of inspiration for what lies ahead in biomass.