Tom Oldfield of UCD attended a workshop in Thurles, Ireland hosted by the EU project, AgriForValor (http://www.agriforvalor.eu/). The focus of the workshop was torrefaction and pyrolysis, and brought together over 80 attendees, including, academia, farmers, foresters, industry and policy makers from across Ireland.

Three presenters shared their experience in developing their novel waste valorisation technologies, Agrina Biofuels, Insight Renewables and Premier Green Energies.  Both torrefaction and pyrolysis have their benefits and challenges as an organic waste valorisation pathway. Agrocycle will also be assessing pyrolysis in its project (Work Package 3). Pyrolysis can be optimised for ene
rgy production or to produce a bio-fertiliser (biochar) dependant on need. A group will now be formed to discuss opportunities to further develop pyrolysis in Ireland, those interested in joining should contact Noel Gavigan of IBEC.