A focal point for the community to support ambitious scaling up of the bioenergy industry and scale of planting

Demonstration and knowledge-sharing hubs to showcase best practice and innovations in land-based biomass feedstock production

Robust, independent information on biomass feedstock performance, agronomy, economics and environmental benefits

Building a UK wide, cohesive, regionally based community to develop and operate the platform

Demonstrator Hub Updates – November 2025

November brought a clear shift into winter across the Biomass Connect sites, with widespread senescence observed in most crops. Storm events during the month (including Storm Claudia) caused localised wind damage, particularly to taller crops and previously weakened trees, though most sites reported minimal long-term impact. Pest pressures remained low overall, though hare and badger activity was noted at some hubs. Phenotyping of Miscanthus and woody crops continued at several sites, and preparations for winter maintenance and early spring actions are underway

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The Role of Biomass in Regenerative Agriculture – Factsheet

A factsheet outlining the potential role of biomass crops in regenerative farming. Download this and other factsheets in our resources section.

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Biomass Connect Outputs

Links to all of our outputs in one handy list…

Biomass Connect: Biomass Innovation and Information Platform

Biomass is the organic material from living organisms. In the context of Biomass Connect, the term refers to non-food crops where the whole aboveground plant biomass is harvested and used for a range of purposes including heat and electricity, fuel for transport, platform chemicals, and a range of construction, packaging, and cosmetic applications. Biomass crops are fast-growing, with a high potential energy content or calorific value.

Biomass Connect is a demonstration and knowledge-sharing initiative to showcase best practice and innovations in land-based biomass feedstock production. We seek to share knowledge and experiences that can make a significant contribution to agricultural, environmental and bioenergy policy development, practical on-farm advances, and overall growth in the UK’s biomass sector. The project also compares crop/variety performance in regions across the UK and demonstrates innovations which have the potential to maximise their economic and environmental benefits.

Eight demonstration hubs are located across the UK, in Ceredigion, South Ayrshire, Buckinghamshire, Devon, Edinburgh, County Down, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

Biomass Feedstocks Innovation

£32m of funding has enabled 12 organisations, including 7 small and medium-sized enterprises, to deliver commercially viable innovations in biomass production.

Crop information

Biomass crops vary greatly in size and form, ranging from towering 30-meter trees to fast-growing grasses. While they typically demand limited inputs and minimal cultivation, specific requirements vary among different crops, soil types, and climates (the impacts of different soils and regional climate variations is one reason we have our demonstrator hub sites distributed around the UK). Explore the Crop Information section of this website for comprehensive details on biomass crops featured in the Biomass Connect trials, as well as other promising candidates. 

Technical Articles

Demonstrator Hub Updates
January 05, 2026
Demonstrator Hub Updates – November 2025
November brought a clear shift into winter across the Biomass Connect sites, with widespread senescence observed in most crops. Storm events during the month (including Storm Claudia) caused localised wind damage, particularly to taller crops and previously weakened trees, though most sites reported minimal long-term impact. Pest pressures remained low overall, though hare and badger activity was noted at some hubs. Phenotyping of Miscanthus and woody crops continued at several sites, and preparations for winter maintenance and early spring actions are underway
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News
November 24, 2025
Connect Issue #11
Issue #11 of the Connect Newsletter is now available. The Connect Newsletters contain updates on project activities, details of the latest events, and news from across the wider biomass industry.
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Demonstrator Hub Updates
November 18, 2025
Demonstrator Hub Updates – October 2025
October marked a clear transition into autumn across the Biomass Connect sites, with widespread senescence observed in most crops. Storm events early in the month (notably Storm Amy and Benjamin) caused localised wind damage, particularly to taller crops and weaker trees, though most sites reported minimal long-term impact. Pest pressures were low overall, with only isolated aphid clusters and insect activity noted. Phenotyping of Miscanthus and woody crops was carried out at multiple sites, providing valuable data on growth and senescence patterns.
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News from the Biomass World
November 12, 2025
New UK Guidance on Mammal Damage to Trees Highlights Critical Planning Step for Biomass Plantations
The Forestry Commission has published a comprehensive new guidance document entitled “Protecting trees from mammal damage: technical guidance” (30 October) aimed at supporting landowners, woodland managers and advisers who are establishing new tree plantations or agro-forestry systems.
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