Sewage sludge remains one of Europe's most challenging residual streams, particularly as landfilling and direct land application face increasing regulatory constraints. This Biochar Europe position paper examines whether thermochemical conversion can provide a safe and regulated pathway for using sewage sludge-derived biochar under the EU Fertilising Products Regulation.
The paper addresses key concerns raised at EU level, including contaminants of concern, product safety, consumer confidence, and regulatory complexity.
It reviews available scientific and operational evidence on pollutant mitigation through controlled pyrolysis, considers agronomic and climate-related aspects, and outlines how several Member States already regulate sewage sludge biochar at national level.
It also examines the processing conditions proposed for CMC14 and how these could align with EU objectives on nutrient circularity, phosphorus recovery, and climate mitigation, while maintaining existing safety requirements.Download the full position paper to explore the evidence, regulatory context, and policy considerations in detail.
A Biochar Europe position paper examining sewage sludge pyrolysis as integrated bio-refineries, with attention to regulatory constraints, processing conditions, and safety considerations relevant to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation.
Download the Biochar Europe Position PaperA Biochar Europe position paper examining sewage sludge pyrolysis as integrated bio-refineries, with attention to regulatory constraints, processing conditions, and safety considerations relevant to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation.
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