In Brélidy (Côtes-d’Armor), a biomass pyrolyser recently showcased its full potential during a public demonstration. Organised with the support of CASCADE partner UniLaSalle Rennes, the event highlighted how local biomass residues can be transformed into biochar, gas, and heat — paving the way for sustainable, low-carbon solutions in the region.
The demonstration is part of CASCADE’s mission to develop local biomass-to-biochar value chains across North-West Europe. In Brittany, this work has a clear focus: turning underused resources, such as tree trunks and green waste, into valuable products that support urban greening, water management, and soil improvement.
UniLaSalle has already advanced several pilot projects with Rennes Métropole, including trials on sports fields and tree planting (“rain trees”), testing biochar’s impact on water retention, soil quality, and urban resilience. The Brélidy demonstration builds on this by showing, in real time, how mobile pyrolysis units can operate directly on site, reducing transport costs and ensuring flexibility for different biomass qualities and volumes.
Stakeholders — from local farmers and municipalities to water authorities and researchers — attended the demonstration. Their strong interest underlines a growing momentum: integrating biochar into local systems not only improves soil and water management but also contributes to carbon sequestration and the wider circular carbon economy.
This initiative illustrates CASCADE’s broader ambition: to connect regional biomass resources with innovative pyrolysis solutions and develop scalable, transferable models for Europe.