1729 / ITT / SC Framework Agreement - Biochar as a Soil Amendment

Descriptions

Brief: The University of Nottingham (UoN) is conducting the most ambitious and comprehensive biochar demonstration programme to date involving arable fields, grass and woodland, contaminated land, and where soil erosion control is required. The programme, using over 200 tonnes of biochar, will address uncertainties regarding the extent and scope of deployment and its stability with respect to carbon sequestration, together with quantifying effects on ecosystem services. The framework will allow UoN to secure compliant supply chains and call off materials. Tender Technical Specification: Starting in summer of 2022, UoN will be deploying 100-150 tonnes of biochar to arable lands across farms in the UK, for which we require biochar of EBC (European Biochar Certificate) Agro II specification. The biochar required must be suitable for application using agricultural spreaders with minimal dust production, which in practice means particle sizes of 1-5 mm. Over the following 3 years we may also require tonne quantities (1-10 tonnes) of biochar for smaller trials on an ad hoc basic, with the potential for larger quantities dependant on research demands. The biochar required must be produced from sustainable feedstocks, either virgin wood or sustainable organic by-products, and must have a minimal ash content and high carbon content. A low H/C content is required to ensure stability of carbon sequestration. Fossil carbon in the char must be negligible. Implementation timetable: o Full specification of biochar submitted at tender stage, meeting EBC specification. o Production of initial quantities of up to 50 tonnes of Biochar, either delivered to sites across the UK, or available for collection from production sites within the UK or EU by a third-party delivery company in August 2022. o Up to 20 tonnes of biochar to be produced on request, at 4 weeks' notice. o Continued support and dialogue around any deviation from biochar to specification.