The global drive to achieve a climate-neutral economy has elevated the bioeconomy as a cornerstone of sustainability efforts, with biomass playing a critical role in producing renewable energy and industrial products. To address the opportunities and challenges of sustainable biomass utilization in Germany and China, the Sino-German Agricultural Centre (DCZ), in collaboration with IAK Agrar Consulting and the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), organized a panel titled “Innovative Biomass Energy Technologies and Their Policy Implications” during the 2025 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA).
Moderated by Lena KUHN from IAMO, the session brought together leading experts from Germany and China to discuss the latest innovations in biomass applications for energy and material production. The panel explored the potential benefits of biomass, including its capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide new income streams for rural communities, and support sustainable development. At the same time, participants addressed the challenges of balancing competing priorities, such as food production, bioenergy generation, and biodiversity conservation.
Michael NELLES, representing the German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ), emphasized the essential role of biomass in decarbonizing the energy and transportation sectors in Germany. At the same time, Nelles acknowledged criticism surrounding the overuse of energy crops and noted that subsidies for biogas plants are being reduced. To address these issues, he advocated for a shift from cultivated biomass to residual waste and by-products, highlighting the potential of liquid biomethane as a fuel for transportation and industrial processes.
HONG Hao, Deputy Director of the China Association of Rural Energy Industry (CAREI), presented insights into China’s approach to biomass utilization. He explained how the valorization of agricultural by-products, such as straw and bamboo, can improve farmers’ incomes, particularly when these resources are cultivated on marginal lands. Biomass use also enhances energy security and aligns with China’s emission reduction goals. Hong illustrated the success of biomass pellets in replacing coal and natural gas across various industries, contributing to China’s carbon neutrality roadmap while reducing energy costs for businesses.
ZHANG Liuyu, representing the Hefei-based company Wanhao Energy, introduced advancements in liquefied biomethane (LBM) technology. He explained how LBM, with its high energy density and ease of transport, has become a valuable fuel across a range of industrial sectors. These developments reflect Wanhao Energy’s commitment to supporting low-carbon, green development through integrated solutions for new energy systems.
ZHANG Yanping from the World Resources Institute (WRI) discussed strategies to ensure that biomass use remains sustainable while contributing to food security and decarbonization goals. She shared examples of successful projects in China, such as eco-farms where agricultural by-products like rice and wheat straw are recycled to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. These initiatives also help increase farmers’ incomes. Zhang warned against the large-scale cultivation of energy crops, advocating instead for prioritizing waste, residues, and by-products to minimize competition for land and resources.
The panel discussion highlighted the transformative technological innovations currently reshaping the biomass sector. Participants critically examined the types of policies and incentives needed to promote sustainable biomass utilization in Germany and China. They addressed challenges such as avoiding competition between bioenergy, food production, and biodiversity, while emphasizing the importance of recycling, reuse, and reduction. The conversation also explored business models that could engage farmers and enhance rural development through biomass-based initiatives.
Download presentations
