CORNET project MiscanValue (2020-2022) implies application of the energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus (M×g) for revitalisation of post-mining and post-military localities ensuring sustainable utilisation of biomass to fibres and pulp. The project ensures a complete Miscanthus value chain from sustainable land management through cultivation, harvest, and storage of biomass to its processing to fibres, pulp, fibrous materials, and packaging paper. The produced during these stages Miscanthus waste is utilised by pyrolysis to biochar with its utilisation in the fields.
The current report introduces the results of multiyear growing of M×g at the post-mining land in Chomutov, the Czech Republic, amended by different soil amendments. During two vegetation season the improving of the soil health and enhancing biomass has been established which was the biggest when biochar at dose of 10% was incorporated to the soil. The Best Available Practice of Miscanthus utilisation and Quick test for Miscanthus biomass processes to bioproducts were developed. The peculiarities of processing the Miscanthus biomass to fibrous and insulation materials using thermomechanical (TMP) and chemo-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) processes were investigated. The laboratory sheets were received with the produced Miscanthus TMP (0.02 and 0.2 mm) in 5, 10, and 20% blends with a corrugating medium. The results of the project will be summed up in a full value chain of Miscanthus biomass as a valuable input to the implementation of EU Bioeconomy strategy.