Sept. 3, 2014: ATB invites to "Biochar Talk" - an informative event on the topic bichar which is expected to attract guests from science, politics and business. Special highlight will be the award ceremony for ATB as one of the winners of the 2014 competition “Landmarks in the Land of Ideas“. The “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative and Deutsche Bank are honouring ATB for its trendsetting research on optimized biochar from agricultural waste.

With its innovative biochar approach, the ATB is one of this year's 100 winners of the nationwide competition "Landmarks in the Land of Ideas". ATB’s awarded excellent idea: If biogas is produced from maize or straw, fermentation residues remain. These can be processed into biochar. Biochar brings the important carbon back to the soil. The chemical element is tightly bound in fertilizer and can thus not escape in form of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere - a benefit for the climate. 

Since 2009, biochar is subject of several national and international collaborative research projects at the ATB (APECS, Biochar in agriculture, ...). The scientific focus is set on the question how biochar can be used as a sustainable fertilizer to improve low-yield sites. Research spans the entire value chain - from carbonization on characterization and plants effects of biochar to the evaluation of its economic and environmental potential. 

"Biochar Talk" on September 3, 2014, offers an interesting program. ATB scientists provide results from ongoing research projects. Guests are invited to discuss issues in dialogue with the scientists, to experience "hands-on research" in the biochar-pilot - and incidentally to enjoy food from the biochar grill. 

Time: Wednesday, Sept 3,  2014, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Venue: ATB, 14469 Potsdam, Max-Eyth-Allee 100

Program 

ATB receives the award for the second time. In 2009, its innovative concepts of using renewable plant materials for innovative biobased materials were honored.

In 2014, the competition ”Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” was devoted to the countryside. The 100 best ideas for improving rural regions were sought under the slogan “Innovative Country – Rethinking Rural Spaces”. The competition honours projects in Germany that provide solutions to the challenges of rural regions and make rural communities fit for the future. Germany-wide, some 1,000 research institutions, companies or associations had submitted their pioneering projects. An independent high-profile jury selected the top 100 ideas in the categories economy, culture, science, environment, education and society. 

For more information about the competition: http://www.land-der-ideen.de/en/landmarks

Contact ATB: Helene Foltan - Press and Public Relations