Project Info:

Abstract

The proposed RTD project will contribute to the implementation of three main EU policies, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Agenda 2000 and the White Paper. In this view of these policies, the financial feasibility of the non-food crops production will increase, while the diversification of land use and sustainability of farm incomes should be ensured. Although kenaf has been accepted (from 1993) by EU a high yielding “non-food crop” for fiber production the research on kenaf has been focused strictly on its use for the paper/pulp industry, while the yielding potential of the crop is not defined. Hardly any research has been directed towards the other industrial uses of the crop as well as the energy exploitation of it, in spite of the favorable characteristics of kenaf feedstock and its high biomass yields. This project with its integrated approach aims at the sustainable yielding potential, the alternative industrial bio-products as well as the energy exploitation of kenaf. A dynamic crop-growth simulation model will be developed and will be a useful tool for yields prediction. Following an environmental and economic assessment will provide insight in the feasibility of kenaf for industrial and energy applications.
Objectives

TThe overall objective of the project is to introduce and evaluate kenaf as a non-food crop for alternative land use that will provide diversified opportunities for farmers and will supply the “bio-based industries” of the future.

The overall objective will be achieved through the following specific objectives:
To determine the sustainable yielding potential of kenaf, as a non-food crop in all Southern EU countries.
To develop a dynamic crop growth simulation model for kenaf yields predictions.
To evaluate the effect of harvest timing and storage methods on quality of raw material.
To evaluate the suitability of kenaf both for selected industrial and energy applications.
To carry out environmental assessment and LCA and make scenarios for alternative land use.
To conduct an economic evaluation of the whole production chain of the crop for alternative land use.
To prepare a handbook and a booklet for kenaf.
To establish links with the American Kenaf Society (AKS).

Description of the work
 

The following specific Work Packages will implement the objectives previously outlined:
WP1 is a general work package aiming at the coordination of the project and establishment of a link with the American Kenaf Society (AKS).
WP2 aims at the determination of the sustainable yielding potential of kenaf as energy crop at several locations in southern EU. The appropriate varieties and cultural practices for yield maximization in relation to the specific pedoclimatic conditions of each cultivation site will be deterred. Furthermore, this work package will provide data to the WP3, in which a dynamic growth simulation model will be developed.
The model development will be a very useful tool for the yield and energy production prediction of kenaf it can be further used as a core module of any expert system for economic quantitative land evaluation including land uses systems with kenaf.
In WP4 the appropriate harvesting time and methods as well as the appropriate storage methods (indoors and outdoors) will be determined.
In WP5 the suitability of kenaf both for selected industrial (high added value) and for thermochemical energy applications (combustion, gasification and pyrolysis) on the whole crop and the core fiber remaining after removal of the high value bark fiber.
Environmental impact assessment for the whole production chain of the crop and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) taking into account both the industrial and thermochemical energy applications of the crop will be conducted in WP6.
The valuable information that will be collected in the WP2, WP3, WP4, WP5 and WP6 will be used in WP7 for the cost analysis of kenaf as a “new crop” in comparison to other annual traditional crops.
In WP8, all the above-described work packages will be used as a base for the development of a Handbook and a Booklet for kenaf.

Milestones and expected results
 
Wide dissemination of the project results through conferences, seminars and wed pages.
Evaluation of the adaptability and productivity a kenaf in all South EU countries.
Crop growth simulation model as a tool for yields prediction.
Determination of the appropriate harvesting time and techniques and storage methods as well.
Results on the kenaf use for industrial and energy applications.
Environmental impact assessment, LCA and scenarios for alternative land use.
Cost of kenaf at farm and at plant gate and economic comparison with other conversional crops.