This presentation was given by Claudia Daza, head of INBAR's Task Force on Bamboo for Renewable Energy, at the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition in 2022. It summarises bamboo's potential benefits as a source of biomass energy for Europe and globally.

1. 9 - 12 May 2021 | Online
Potential of Bamboo for
Renewable Energy:
Opportunities, Challenges,
and the Way Forward
INBAR - International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation
Claudia Daza Montaño
9 - 12 May 2022 I Online

2. 2
Bamboo is trendy in the
market of eco-friendly
products
https://www.delhiplanet.com
https://thebamandboo.com/
https://www.ikea.com
Photo:moso-bamboo.com
https://www.naturalcollection.co
m

3. 3
Bamboo is an ideal resource to develop new biomass supply
chains
ALTERNATIVE TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Photo: INBAR/Lou Yiping Photo: INBAR Photo: Malindykenia.com

4. • Multiple species
• Fast-growth and high productivity
• Some giant woody species grow up 30 m in height in
only a few months’ time
• Resistant to varying climate conditions
• Does not require the use of pesticides
• Low (or no) use of fertilizers
• Intercropping is possible
• Easy propagation
• Low cost of establishment
4
Bamboo is a “giant” perennial grass

5. 5
Multiple ecosystem services
• Land restoration
• Erosion prevention
• Slopes stabilization
• Biodiversity preservation
• Water regulation and freshwater provision
• Ecotourism
• Carbon sequestration
Photo: Camargo J.C.

6. 6
Bamboo systems are high carbon sinks
(Camargo et al., 2011 ) (Daza Montaňo et al., 2013)
Estimated carbon stock of a Guadua angustifolia system
Giant woody species, native to Latin America
• Because of the growth pattern bamboo systems
can sequester equivalent or more carbon than
trees
• Woody bamboo systems*: 0.16 to 0.19 GtC/Mha
• Restoration with trees**: 0.10 to 0.22 GtC/Mha.
* Drawdown.org, (2019); Bastin, J. F. et al., (2019) ‘The global tree restoration potential’, Science
Measuring and accounting of carbon stocks and GHG of bamboo systems is needed

7. 7
Multiple products and applications
LEAVES
CULM
BRANCHES
SHOOTS
Left in the field as
fertilizer, and/or collected
for animal feed
Low value applications
(chopsticks,
toothpicks)
Finished products:
housing, flooring,
engineered products,
furniture, paper, fibers,
textiles, biofuels, lignin,
activated carbon.
Food
China is the major global
supplier of bamboo-
derived products
Large global trade of bamboo
products:
72 Billion US$/y in 2019;
expected to reach
98 Billion US$/y by 2026
Marketed as sustainable
products
Other producing countries need to
develop competitive value chains
within existing and emerging
markets (such as bioenergy)
Photo: cifor.org

8. 8
Bamboo can comply with key requirements of bioenergy markets

9. 9
Bamboo producing countries can develop bioenergy value chains
for the local and international market
Producing regions are
large bioenergy users
Wood fuel and
charcoal: linked to
deforestation and high
GHG emissions
Local market
Bamboo-producing countries (e.g. Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia) are also biofuel (e.g. ethanol, charcoal) and fossil fuel
exporters (e.g. coal, crude oil). Developing new supply chains will help to diversify the traded fuel portfolio and support the ongoing
transition from fossil fuels to biofuels trade
International market
SECURITY OF SUPPLY: LARGE POTENTIAL

10. 10
Biomass production from bamboo does not lead to deforestation
The proper management of a bamboo
system requires the continuous selective
harvesting of mature and dry culms
Promotes regeneration and vigorous
growth of new culms
Harvested culms are replaced by new shoots emerging from the underground
rhizome system
SECURITY OF SUPPLY: LARGE POTENTIAL
Maturity stages
0 5 10 years

11. • China: Strongly supported and highly developed. Strategic for rural and industrial development.
The total area is about 6 million hectares, from which 2 million hectares are plantations
Main markets: High value-added products (e.g. furniture, construction, activated carbon,
lignin, charcoal)
• Other countries (e.g. Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Japan, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Cameroon,
Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar) have taken policy steps to support the development of
the bamboo sector.
• Lately, bamboo plantations are also promoted in Europe (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal) and in the
USA.
11
Countries take steps to develop the bamboo sector
SECURITY OF SUPPLY: LARGE POTENTIAL
Photo: Dra Ximena Londono
Photo: plantationsinternational.com Photo:bambunusaverde.com Photo: www.icanvas.com
Photo: wowowhome.com

12. 12
The commercial development of bamboo to
bioenergy value chains is still in its infancy, and
interest arises at a global level
INDIA:
• Large scale bioethanol
in a 3rd generation
biorefinery
• Gasification
• Biogas via AD
BRAZIL:
• Announced
plant for pellets
to export
INDONESIA:
• Gasification for
rural
electrification
JAPAN: Electricity
AFRICA (e.g. Ethiopia,
Kenya, Ghana)
• Charcoal
• Gasification
CHINA:
• Coal substitute for industrial heat
• Charcoal
Large untapped potential
SECURITY OF SUPPLY: LARGE POTENTIAL

13. 13
Bamboo can comply with key requirements of bioenergy markets

14. 14
Advantages over other lignocellulosic biomass
feedstocks
Photo by guaduabamboo.com
Photo by Hannah Brodie-Hall/CIFOR
Photo by Camargo

15. 15
The physical properties of woody bamboo are similar to those of
wood
Relevant for logistics and cost
Photo: AvellanedaJ.
Transport and processing at a cellulose and lignin plant in
China
Harvesting in Colombia. Flattened Guadua and chips

16. 16
Bamboo is a fast-growing biomass with a high productivity
KEY TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES FOR FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS COST
Daza Montano C.M, van Dam, J. Potential of Bamboo for Renewable Energy. INBAR (2021)
Key advantage
for feedstock
production
and logistics
cost

17. 17
Woody bamboo has a high energy density
Lower costs in
transport and storage
of solid biomass
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Coal Wood
pellet
Bamboo
chips
(woody)
Logging
residues
chips
Forest
residues
Round
reed
canary
grass
bale
Bagasse Round
straw
bale
Rice
husks
m
3
Needed volume (m3) for 10 MWh (36 GJ)
KEY TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES FOR FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS COST

18. 18
Bamboo can comply with key requirements of bioenergy markets
Environmental and socio-economic

19. 19
Bamboo can comply with and exceed the EU sustainability
requirements
Coal replacement for electricity production
GHG emission savings➔ 70% to 300%
(residues vs. bioenergy crop respectively)*
Bioenergy and carbon storage
Detailed assessments are needed
SUSTAINABILITY AND COST
*Daza Montaňo et al., 2013. Torrefied bamboo for the import of sustainable biomass

20. • Properties are superior to those of agricultural residues and similar to
wood
➔ Key advantages for logistics and production cost
• Selective harvesting of mature culms
➔ Creation of rural jobs and the collection of a clean feedstock,
without the presence of contaminants such as stones and soil
• Highly sustainable
➔ Public acceptance
• Integrated value chains and potential additional markets opportunities
(e.g. carbon emissions trading, payment for ecosystem services)
➔ Improve benefits
20
The total cost and benefits along the complete value chain can be
favorable for bamboo as compared to other biomass resources
SUSTAINABILITY AND COST
Photo: nationalgeographic.com
Photo: National Geografic

21. 21
Challenges
CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

22. 22
A long-term vision and a strategic approach to developing
competitive value chains
Stepwise development of integrated value chains and biorefineries
Initially developing sufficient supply chains, for both the local and international bioenergy markets, while developing the local
capacity for competitive industries for higher value application markets.
e.g. cosmetics, lignin
Daza Montano C.M, van Dam, J. Potential of Bamboo for Renewable Energy. INBAR (2021)
e.g. activated carbon,
composite materials,
fibers, construction,
textiles, fertilizers,
biochar, and food
Biofuels and bioenergy
CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

23. • In some countries, bamboo has been
included in national political strategies
for socio-economic development,
environmental management, and tackling
climate change
• But the required resources are not
allocated, and the implementation and
success of the strategies, programs and
plans are low
• Often overlooked for bioenergy
applications
23
Strategic resource to achieve several of UN-SDG goals and related
climate actions
CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

24. • Mobilize investment, multi-stakeholders, and intersectoral partnerships
• Multiple applications: Strategic partnerships as well as intersectoral
and international cooperation
• Promote interdisciplinary R&D
• Proper species selection, and proper planning with risk-based
approaches
• Climate change (GHG emissions measuring and monitoring)
• Sustainability (Socio-economic and environmental)
• Strategies and technologies for the logistics, pre-treatment, and
conversions of bamboo into bioenergy products into integrated value
chains
• Make bamboo-based energy products an integral part of the developing
bioresource commodity market
• Long-term vision and strategic approaches
24
Tapping into the full potential of bamboo
CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

25. eubce.com
Thank you

26. This research was carried out by the International Bamboo
and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) as part of the CGIAR
Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
https://www.inbar.int/resources/inbar-publications/
26
Further information
CLAUDIA DAZA MONTAÑO
Chair, Inbar Task Force on Bamboo for Renewable Energy
Bioeconomy Consultant
cl.daza@gmail.com
claudia-mercedes.daza-montano@afry.com