Ali Mohammadi has been involved in research on sustainability assessment of bio-based systems since he began his PhD. During his doctoral project at the University of New England in Australia, he studied economic and environmental impacts of biochar and bioenergy production from agricultural biomass. As a recently appointed docent in environmental and energy system, he now focuses on analysing biochar and other bioproducts from the forest industry residues from a sustainability perspective.
- Waste from the forest industry can be transformed into valuable materials, turning what was once considered trash into useful resources as soil improvers, energy sources or absorbents in treatment plants with net zero or negative carbon emissions throughout the entire life cycle process, says Ali Mohammadi. In my research, I focus on aspects such as carbon footprint, resource efficiency, ecotoxicity and economic feasibility.
Biochar, a valuable resource
Biochar is produced by heating organic material, such as waste from the forestry industry, in an oxygen deficient environment through a pyrolysis process. Biochar is a solid substance that prevents carbon bound in biomass, such as trees, from returning to the atmosphere in the form of greenhouse gases. The main purpose of biochar technology is to have climate benefits by carbon sequestration capacity. Biochar can be used for various purposes, mainly as soil amendment, or a source for heat and electricity generation. During the pyrolysis process, it can also produce oil and gases, which can be refined into biofuel.
Pro2BE, Processes and Products for a Circular Bioeconomy
- Within the research environment of Pro2BE, there are many of us who do research in various projects that deal with the transition to a bioeconomy based on renewable resources.
The research conducted by Pro2BE covers, for example, pellet processing, active barrier packaging technology, packaging solutions to prevent food waste, fundamental interaction in molecular separation processes, purification and side-stream utilisation, package printing technology, new processes for cellulose derivatives for textile materials and other new products, as well as dewatering and drying optimisation in paper manufacturing processes.
- We are now applying for funding to continue research that can support the transition to a low carbon economy through national and international research projects, as well as to provide opportunities for young researchers interested in doctoral studies. Through collaboration with other universities in Sweden and abroad as well as with stakeholders and industries, our research within Pro2BE contribute in addressing the global challenges that we are facing.
