BHARAT-EU: Bio-based renewable Hydrogen from Agro/forestry/biogenic Residues through Advanced Technologies

To sufice the sustainable H2 demand of future society, the BHARAT-EU project launches a bio-based process suitable for conversion of agricultural, forest and industrial biogenic waste to renewable H2. By combining thermochemical and biological technologies developed in a collaborative frame among EU and Indian partners, non-recyclable biogenic waste is initially converted to platform chemicals such syngas or biogas and subsequently to methane. The latter is finally pyrolyzed to H2 in non-thermal plasma environment. Marketable byproducts namely, biogenic solid carbon and ultra-pure CO2 are coproduced, creating new opportunities in markets currently dominated by fossils.The process is built and tested at lab scale. Advanced modelling techniqies are employed to simulate the process at plantwide level and assess its performance at higher scale. A safety planning and management plan based on EHSP assures safe operation while holistic process assessment determines the optimum operating window within the concept turns to be sustainable and affordable. To ensure resilience and flexibility, the project focuses on two feedstock categories: lignocellulosic residues (agricultural and forestry wastes) and the biogenic part of municipal wastes. The process is also proven at industrial relevant environment.A well-balanced consortium of 22 partnersand originated from India and EU, including leading universities, research organizations, SMEs, and industrial players, will develop and integrate advanced processes such as dark fermentation, anaerobic digestion, gasification, biomethanation, and plasma-assisted pyrolysis. Covering the entire value chain, from bio-waste sourcing to end-product applications, BHARAT-EU aims at least >47 kg H2/ton dry biomass with near-zero carbon footprint, while meeting future cost targets and addressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges in agriculture, forestry, and municipal waste management.