In June 2025, the EMBEDED project was officially launched under the Horizon Europe programme. Over the next 36 months, this ambitious initiative will demonstrate modular biochar and board production units to transform agrifood and forestry waste into sustainable biomaterials.
At Contactica, we are proud to be part of this forward-looking consortium. Our team will bring extensive expertise in sustainability assessment, communication strategy, and exploitation planning to ensure EMBEDED delivers meaningful impact well beyond the project’s lifetime.
Why EMBEDED matters
Across Europe, rural areas are key players in the green transition. Yet, many regions still face a persistent challenge: significant volumes of by-products from olive oil production, wine-making, and cork harvesting remain underutilized. Olive pomace, grape marc, and cork bark often end up as low-value biomass or, worse, as waste requiring costly disposal.
Without sustainable and profitable alternatives, these residues represent missed opportunities for both environmental and economic gains. EMBEDED aims to change that.
The project introduces portable pyrolysis units capable of producing high-quality biochar, along with cascading valorization methods that transform raw waste into biofertilizers, bioactive extracts, and durable eco-construction boards. These innovations do more than recycle waste. They store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen local value chains.
By anchoring production close to the source, EMBEDED supports regional circular economies while promoting climate-positive business models tailored to local contexts.
What EMBEDED will deliver
EMBEDED’s approach is both technical and community-driven. Over the project’s three years, five demonstration pilots will be deployed across Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.
These pilots include:
- Transportable pyrolysis systems for producing biochar from locally sourced agricultural and forestry residues.
- Stationary board-making units for converting cork and similar by-products into sustainable building materials.
- Cascading extraction processes to recover valuable compounds from biomass before or after pyrolysis, boosting efficiency and product range.
The project will process over 50 tonnes of biomass, preventing an estimated 1.5 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per tonne of biochar produced. In doing so, EMBEDED aims to prove that carbon-negative innovations can be scaled and adapted to diverse European contexts.
In addition, partners will work closely with local stakeholders to create km.0 circular value chains, ensuring that economic benefits remain within the communities where resources originate.
Contactica’s role in EMBEDED’s circular biochar
Contactica has been involved with EMBEDED from the very beginning, contributing to the proposal preparation and now taking active responsibility in three strategic areas:
- Sustainability assessment: Evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of biochar and board production. This includes measuring carbon capture performance and ensuring compliance with EU sustainability standards.
- Communication and dissemination: Designing outreach materials, coordinating press and digital activities, and ensuring that the project’s story and results are visible to policymakers, industry, and the general public across Europe.
- Exploitation planning: Working with partners to develop business models and market strategies that turn project outputs into long-term solutions for rural areas.
Our goal is to make sure that the benefits of EMBEDED last well beyond the project end date.
A strong consortium for circular biochar innovation
Coordinated by Envirohemp SL (Spain), EMBEDED brings together 14 partners from Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. The consortium includes research leaders such as Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Universidade do Minho, University College Dublin, and CESEFOR, as well as industry innovators and regional authorities.
This diversity ensures that EMBEDED benefits from cutting-edge research, deep local knowledge, and proven experience in technology deployment. Together, these actors are committed to delivering practical, scalable solutions that fit the realities of rural and semi-rural European regions.
Stay tuned
Over the next three years, EMBEDED will move from design and testing to real-world demonstration. Pilot activities will serve as proof-of-concept for how circular innovation can be embedded directly into regional economies.
At Contactica, we will document the process every step of the way, from setting up pyrolysis units to training local operators and monitoring environmental benefits. We will share updates, success stories, and lessons learned through our website and social channels, ensuring that stakeholders across Europe can follow and learn from EMBEDED’s journey.
When agrifood and forestry residues become a resource instead of a burden, innovation meets sustainability, and rural Europe takes a decisive step towards climate neutrality.
