Last week saw the Biomass Connect team at Stoneleigh Park for the Low Carbon Agriculture Show. Over the course of two days, we spoke to people from a wide range of backgrounds, including ‘biomass curious’ farmers and contractors, policy makers, and allied farming support industries such as banking and insurance.
Visitors at the Biomass Connect Stand, LCA 2025
Visitors were particularly interested in how and where these crops can be marketed and used for energy, as well as their role in improving natural resources and environmental value. On the adjacent stand, IBERS Aberystwyth University were showcasing their work, including biorefining projects that are looking to transform biomass into high value products such as sugar replacements, building materials and pharmaceuticals.
The show was also busy with three parallel sessions of talks and panel discussions, including a session on Biomass and Energy Crops at which Chris Johnston of AFBI spoke about the scope for willow to remove phosphates from agricultural run off, and Samantha Smith from the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology gave her perspectives on how they would like to see the biomass sector develop.
Chris Johnstone (AFBI) speaking at LCA 2025
Overall, the event was a resounding success, bringing together industry professionals, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of sustainable agriculture and the role of biomass in achieving Net Zero. The engagement and enthusiasm of attendees demonstrated the growing recognition of biomass as a viable and essential component of the UK’s sustainability strategy.
