In December 2024, guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) from the atmosphere were published by the European Union, which regulates an EU-wide trade of negative certificates. This will allow Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) projects to make a highly-efficient and cost-effective contribution to reach the climate targets.
The scientific findings are clear: decarbonizing the economy is crucial to limit global warming. However, emissions reductions and avoidance alone may not be sufficient to achieve the net-zero target. It is necessary to complement these measures with carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to offset hard-to-avoid CO2-emissions.
Currently, over 90% of traded CDR-certificates are generated by biochar projects that require dry, woody biomass for pyrolysis processes. The TerraNova “Wet Pyrolysis” HTC process now allows for the utilization of moist biomass—particularly previously unused waste streams such as sewage sludge or organic fraction of municipal solid waste—resulting in low certificate costs.
In HTC “Hydrochar”, over 90% of the biomass carbon is stored. It’s stability is comparable to lignite and therefore ideal for permanent and secure CO2-storage.
The new EU-regulation (EU) 2024/3012 establishes the framework for projects like the TerraNova process for permanent CO2-removal from the atmosphere. Any processes that, under normal circumstances and using appropriate management practices, achieve the capture and storage of atmospheric or biogenic CO2 over several centuries are permitted.
The TerraNova projects meet the following quality criteria requested by the regulation:
1. Quantification of the permanent net carbon removal benefit
2. Additionality
3. Storage, monitoring, and liability
4. Sustainability