Based on the priorities identified among farmers and other actors in the primary sector, the European Thematic Network on Rural Bioeconomy (thERBN), promoted in Spain by AVEBIOM and Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain, held a conference during the Agrovid event focused on alternatives for vineyard pruning management.
The day focused on already available bioeconomy solutions, in particular, on the potential of biochar as a way to generate agronomic, energy and climate value from this byproduct.
Vineyard pruning management has become a priority for the agricultural sector as regulatory requirements increase, operating costs rise, and the need to find viable solutions for by-products that were previously handled routinely in the field grows.
To respond to that demand, the European project thERBN – European Thematic Network for Rural Bioeconomy, promoted in Spain by AVEBIOM y Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain, A specific workshop was organized on alternatives for the management and valorization of vineyard pruning waste. The project's strategy itself is based on identifying urgent needs in the primary sector and connecting these demands with existing, practical, and transferable solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.
This approach aligns with the previous findings of BioRural, one of the foundations upon which thERBN is built. Consultations with over 400 stakeholders in the primary sector and 40 bioeconomy experts from 14 countries revealed that farmers, cooperatives, and rural SMEs primarily need advice, support, training, and realistic solutions with economic return, Rather than proposals that are difficult to implement or out of scale, they also highlighted that one of the main barriers for those who have not yet taken that step lies in legislation and permits.
María del Carmen Pertíñez, a technician from the Department of Sustainability and Innovation Projects of Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain and responsible for the thERBN project, explained during the opening of the workshop that the bioeconomy is not something foreign to the sector, but a logic with which cooperatives and agri-industries have been working for decades to find new outlets for agricultural and agro-industrial by-products.
He recalled that the project seeks precisely to detect real needs in agriculture, livestock and forestry, and to bring viable, open and accessible solutions to the entire primary sector.
Among these needs, vineyard pruning management is one of the most pressing to address today. It's not just about finding a technical alternative, but about anticipating a scenario in which regulatory requirements regarding certain management practices, such as the open-air burning of pruning waste under specific conditions, may become stricter and force the sector to adapt quickly.
The role of cooperatives: connecting innovation and field reality
The intervention of Juan Sagarna, Director of Sustainability and Innovation Projects at Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain, He reinforced that idea. He emphasized that cooperatives, in addition to marketing products or supplying inputs to their members, must also help solve new problems when byproducts cease to be a secondary issue and become an economic, logistical, or regulatory challenge.
Sagarna framed this reflection within the new European bioeconomy strategy, Increasingly linked to circularity, competitiveness, and Europe's strategic autonomy, the valorization of by-products should not be considered solely as an environmental issue, but also as an opportunity to strengthen the economic resilience of the primary sector and reduce external dependencies. In this context, she argued that the wine sector must begin preparing for scenarios in which pruning management is more restricted and cooperatives must assume a more active role in responding to their members' needs.
This approach fully coincides with thERBN's mission in Spain, where AVEBIOM and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España are working to activate working groups, strengthen the connection with agricultural advisors, the CAP Network and the knowledge and innovation system in agriculture, and bring solutions applicable especially to small farmers, livestock farmers, cooperatives and forestry SMEs.
Vineyard prunings: an abundant byproduct, but difficult to mobilize
In the technical part of the workshop, Pablo Rodero, The representative from AVEBIOM reviewed the difficulties that have historically limited the use of vineyard pruning waste. She recalled that AVEBIOM had already published a study on its energy use in 2011 and pointed out some of the obstacles that remain: the low density of the material, the complexity of mechanizing its collection, the presence of soil and other contaminants, and logistical costs that hinder its large-scale valorization.
This diagnosis explains why thERBN focuses part of its work on identifying solutions that can work in practice, with models tailored to the real conditions of farmers and cooperatives. The project's logic is to document existing, proven, and replicable practices for dissemination in workshops, meetings, and knowledge transfer platforms.
Biochar: an alternative with agronomic, energy and industrial applications
Among the alternatives analyzed, the biochar It is one of the most interesting. Claudio Mander, an agronomist, biochar expert, and founder of BIPS, explained that it can be obtained from vineyard pruning or uprooting through pyrolysis, Biochar is a thermal process in the absence of oxygen that transforms biomass into a solid fraction rich in carbon and gases that can be used for energy production. According to the report, in the case of vineyard waste, high-quality biochar can be obtained with a low ash content and various potential uses.
From an agronomic point of view, Mander considers its incorporation into organic-based biofertilizers, For example, mixed with compost, nutrients or microorganisms, with formulations adapted to the needs of each soil and crop.
He also points out that there are already international vineyard projects with positive results in terms of soil, grape production, and quality. In his view, the challenge lies less in the technical aspects and more in developing economic and logistical models that allow this byproduct to be transformed into value for farmers and cooperatives.
Construction and industry, other areas for biochar
José Rebollo Pericot, a civil engineer and consultant, discussed the applications of biochar in construction materials, pavements, and industry. He emphasized that this material, in addition to its agronomic value, is beginning to gain traction in markets in northern and central Europe related to construction and various industrial processes.
Rebollo highlighted that vineyard pruning waste offers a significant advantage: once dried, it is a relatively homogeneous material, and this homogeneity is key to producing biochar of certifiable quality. From there, he reviewed various emerging applications: use in concrete, urban drainage, asphalt pavements, steel, and cement clinker.
In the construction sector, he noted that biochar can act as a functional material and contribute to reducing the CO2 embedded in certain products. He also cited experiences and developments in precast concrete, bituminous mixtures, and urban drainage systems, which is particularly relevant now that Europe is beginning to demand stricter controls on emissions associated with materials and public works projects.
Carbon capture and opportunities for the primary sector
Another very interesting aspect of biochar is its potential for carbon capture and permanent storage when used in applications where it does not quickly re-oxidize, such as incorporation into soil or building materials. The EU has already launched a voluntary certification framework for carbon sequestration and has specifically identified biochar as one of the activities for which specific methodologies are being developed.
This means that if a cooperative, company, or farmers' association can demonstrate, using a recognized system, how much carbon has been stably retained in the biochar, that value can be certified and translated into credits, potentially generating additional income. For the agricultural sector, this opens up a complementary avenue for adding value: not only better managing pruning waste, but also transforming it into a useful product with agronomic or industrial applications and, moreover, with the potential for economic return.
Mander points out that the real potential lies in effectively combining the different value streams: biochar for agricultural or industrial use, renewable heat, and captured and sequestered carbon. However, he also cautions that the model will only be viable if it offers a credible and profitable proposition for farmers.
The challenge lies precisely in transforming a byproduct that is currently difficult to manage into a new value chain with agronomic, energy, or industrial applications. Regulatory and economic pressures are driving the search for alternatives, but the workshop also demonstrated that concrete, viable options are beginning to emerge. And in this process, the role of cooperatives will be crucial in ensuring that these solutions actually reach farmers.
Useful transfer for rural areas
The positive reception and participation in the workshop validate the approach of AVEBIOM and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias to deploy the rural bioeconomy network in Spain: first listen to the sector, identify real priorities and then bring practical, documented solutions adapted to the rural environment.
The network aims precisely at that: facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technologies already available to the primary sector to optimize the use of by-products within the bioeconomy and accelerate their integration into new value chains.
Biochar and vineyard pruning management: use as a building material
Biochar and vineyard pruning management: use as a biofertilizer and carbon credits