LIFE TRŠCA: Experimental production of pellets from the reed beds of Lake Cerknica

During this period, there have been several attempts related to energy use and the use of biomass as a raw material for paper production. Both uses have proven possible, but economically unjustified. As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we are currently conducting a composting trial to see whether this use is possible and justified.

Production line in Halberainu (Photo: archive www.pelletierung.at)

In November 2016, the first international pelletizing center was opened in Halbenrain, Austria, where, by making new products from biomass, as much as possible of the "residues" from agricultural production is reused. The center promotes the reuse of biomass and thus replaces fossil fuels, such as oil and heating oil. At the beginning of October 2024, the staff of the LIFE TRŠCA project visited the center mentioned above, where we met with Günter Weiß, president of the Austrian pelletizing cooperative. Mr. Weiß began producing feed pellets from hay from Austrian nature conservation areas as early as 2010. During our one-day visit, we also met Dr. Andreas Breuss, representative of the manager of protected nature areas of the federal state of Styria, and Dr. Alfred Kindler from the government office in Graz.

Mr. Günter Weiß has been involved in pelletizing since 2010. (Photo: archive Landwirtschaftskammer Steiermark)

During our visit to Halbenrain, we test-delivered a few kilograms of dried meadow hay from Lake Cerknica with the aim of testing pellet production. The initial measurements were very encouraging, as they indicate that pellets for bedding or animal feed from the Lake Cerknica  meadow hay can be produced. It should be noted that for pellet production the meadow hay must be properly cut. Each dried meadow plant in a bale must not exceed 20 cm in length. The meadow hay for pelleting must also be extremely dry, meaning moisture content must not exceed 15%.

Pellets for bedding from wheat straw

Experts from Austria agreed that, given the long duration of the annual floods at Lake Cerknica, the quality of the meadow hay, and the moisture content, most of the dead biomass across the board is economically most justified for compost production. The experts in Halberainu concluded, after various multi-year tests, that for the production of heating pellets made from cultivated plants, corn cobs are the most suitable, as they have a calorific value similar to wood biomass. In the coming months, as part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we will deliver 1 ton of meadow hay to Halberain, where it will be test-produced into bedding pellets. We will later repackage these pellets into smaller 2 kg bags and distribute them free of charge to local residents so they can evaluate the product and price it.

The Notranjska Park’s aim is that the project action of trial use of plant biomass from the lake for pelletizing and composting would encourage private companies to invest in a facility that would produce a biomass-derived product with added value. The idea holds the prospect of a long-term solution to the problems of removal and utilization of biomass from the lake and offers opportunities for the private sector of the economy. If the pelletizing trial, due to the higher moisture content of materials at Lake Cerknica, is not suitable (drying the material is lengthy and also energy-inefficient), we will heed the advice of Austrian experts and shift focus solely to compost production.