Development of an Integrated Biomass Carbonization and gasification System for Multi-generation of Carbon, Oil & Gas.

UNDP South-South|Galaxy Knowledge Hub

Development of an Integrated Biomass Carbonization and gasification System for Multi-generation of Carbon, Oil & Gas.

Biomass Gasification for Green Fuel Production

Challenges

This initiative tackles three interconnected challenges in biomass management across Asia and Africa:

Environmental Pollution: Open burning of agricultural waste (e.g., rice straw) worsens air quality and climate emissions (SDG 13).
Energy Access Gaps: Rural communities lack affordable clean energy, relying on polluting fuels (SDG 7).
Soil Health Decline: Unsustainable farming degrades land, while biomass residues remain underutilized for soil restoration (SDG 15).

By establishing an international joint lab, the project combines China’s gasification technology with partners’ localized expertise to convert waste into clean energy (syngas) and soil enhancers (biochar). This South-South collaboration (SDG 17) enables scalable, low-carbon solutions—reducing emissions, improving energy access, and restoring farmland through circular bioeconomy approaches.

Toward a Solution

The International Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Biomass Utilization, led by East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) in collaboration with universities across Southeast Asia and Africa, including universities from Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Egypt etc., addresses critical challenges in agricultural waste management, clean energy access, and soil degradation. By leveraging South-South cooperation, the initiative fosters cross-border knowledge transfer and technology co-development to accelerate progress toward SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Approach and Methodology

The project adopts an integrated, participatory approach, combining laboratory research, field trials, and policy engagement to maximize impact. Key strategies include:

Technology Co-Development: Partners jointly optimize biomass gasification and pyrolysis systems to enhance efficiency (e.g., reducing tar contamination in syngas) and adapt solutions to local feedstock (e.g., banana leaf residue in the Philippines , rice straw in Thailand, palm waste in Malaysia).
Circular Bioeconomy Model: Agricultural residues are converted into clean energy (syngas, bio-oil) and soil amendments (biochar), reducing waste burning emissions by ~30% in pilot regions while improving soil fertility.
GIS-LCA (Geographic Information System-Life Cycle Assessment): This tool evaluates environmental impacts spatially, ensuring solutions align with regional climate and land-use policies.

Participatory Process and Concerted Actions

The initiative thrives on equitable partnership, with each institution contributing unique expertise:

ECUST (China): Provides advanced gasification technology and equipment design.
As part of South-South cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) has provided the Philippines’ Mindanao State University with:
400L Biomass Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) System: Custom-designed for tropical agricultural residues (coconut husks/rice straw). Compact modular structure enables village-level deployment. Converts high-moisture biomass into clean solid fuel (hydrochar) with 25% higher calorific value
Skid-mounted Gasification Power Generation System: Integrated 50kW solution combining fluidized-bed gasifier with tar removal. Specifically adapted for off-grid island communities. Can process HTC-derived hydrochar with 30% higher efficiency than raw biomass

Regular joint workshops, researcher exchanges, and data-sharing platforms ensure continuous feedback and adaptation.

Cross-Country Transfer of Good Practices

The project exemplifies systemic South-South collaboration by:

Localizing Technologies: Gasification systems were modified to process region-specific biomass (e.g., coconut husks in Indonesia, maize cobs in Vietnam), increasing adoption feasibility.
Capacity Building: Over 50 researchers from partner countries were trained in biomass conversion technologies, fostering long-term expertise.
Policy Integration: Pilot results informed national biomass energy strategies in Thailand and Vietnam, with draft policies promoting biochar for carbon sequestration.

Outcomes and SDG Impact: Quantifiable achievements include:

SDG 7: Deployed 10 small-scale gasifiers (30–50 kW) in rural Philippines, providing clean energy to ~5,000 households and displacing diesel use by 40%.
SDG 13: Reduced CO? emissions by 12,000 tons/year across pilot sites by preventing open burning.
SDG 17: 6 joint patents filed, and 20+ research papers co-published in international journals.

Innovation and Competitive Advantage: The initiative’s innovative aspects include:

Mobile Gasification Units: Compact, modular systems enable decentralized energy production in remote areas.
AI-Driven Optimization: Machine learning models predict optimal feedstock mixtures, improving gasifier efficiency by 25%.
These advancements enhance export potential for partner countries—e.g., Malaysia now markets palm-waste gasifiers to other ASEAN nations.

Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: The initiative ensures longevity through:

Policy Influence: Thailand incorporated biochar standards into its 2025 Agricultural Waste Management Policy.
Commercialization: Spin-off enterprises in Vietnam and Indonesia sell biochar-based fertilizers, creating jobs.
Regional Integration: ASEAN’s Biomass Energy Task Force adopted the project’s framework for cross-border replication.

Replicability and Adaptability: Key conditions for scaling:

Local Feedstock Compatibility: Solutions must align with regional biomass types (e.g., sugarcane bagasse in Africa).
Government Incentives: Subsidies for clean energy adoption (e.g., Indonesia’s biomass power feed-in tariffs).
Community Engagement: Farmer cooperatives in the Philippines co-manage gasifiers, ensuring local ownership.

Lessons Learned

Flexibility is Critical: Technology designs must adapt to varying biomass moisture/ash content.
Policy Alignment Accelerates Impact: Early government engagement ensures regulatory support.
South-South Trust Matters: Equal decision-making power among partners fosters sustained collaboration.

By transforming agricultural waste into energy, soil health, and climate resilience, this initiative demonstrates how shared innovation can overcome transnational sustainability challenges—while paving the way for a global circular bioeconomy.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Lu Ding, Professor, East China University of Science and Technology; Xuesong Liu, Master, East China University of Science and Technology

SDG
07 - Affordable and Clean Energy

COUNTRIES INVOLVED
China

SUPPORTED BY
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People\'s Republic of China

ABOUT

Disclosures

RESOURCES

Disclosures

ENGAGE

Disclosures

Alliance Application Form

Submit an Expression of Interest and/or Demand Signal. UNOSSC reviews submissions on a rolling basis.

1. Official name of organization / institution / government entity (exclusions to apply) *

2. Country *

3. Region *

4. SDG *

Secondary SDG *

5. Partner category *

6. Website *

7. Brief description of your institution (max. 150 words) *

Name for the Lead *

Title for the Lead *

Email address for the Lead *

Name for the co-lead

Title for the co-lead

Email address for the co-lead

Section 3. Expression of Interest in the Alliance *

Offer expertise, resources, partnership, or collaboration

Demand Signal (Request for cooperation, support, or partnership)

Both (Offering capabilities and expressing demand for collaboration)

Additional information on proposed areas of engagement may be requested through the platform following initial review by the Alliance Secretariat.

Section 4. Due Diligence and Integrity Declaration *

Our organization complies with United Nations values, principles, and ethical standards.

We are not subject to UN sanctions or listed on applicable UN exclusion or ineligibility lists.

We understand that participation in Alliance activities may be subject to due diligence conducted by the Alliance Secretariat, consistent with applicable UN policies.

We acknowledge that engagement under the Alliance does not imply formal membership.

Submission Note:

Submission of this Expression of Interest form does not automatically confer participation in the Alliance.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Alliance Secretariat, including basic eligibility screening and proportionate due diligence, as appropriate.

Participation in Alliance activities is determined based on relevance to articulated cooperation needs, alignment with Alliance principles, and integrity considerations.

Engagement under the Alliance is voluntary, non-binding, and facilitative in nature, and does not constitute funding approval, contractual commitment, or institutional membership.

The Alliance Secretariat may contact submitting entities for additional information or clarification during the review process.

Organization Registration

Authentication & Due Diligence This prototype simulates identity verification, due diligence confirmation, and an authentication step before submission. *

Due diligence declarationWe confirm compliance with UN values, ethical standards, and we are not subject to sanctions/exclusion lists.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email address *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Name of institution / organization *

Country / Region *

Organization Type *

Organization other *

Function / role *

Organization logo *

Maximum file size: 1 GB

I confirm this information is accurate and I agree to be contacted about network participation. *