Caroline Zaoui – Biomimicry Belgium, NovobiomNBS2017, Tallinn – 24-26 October 2017
Nature-based technologies for soil and water remediation
Bio-inspired opportunities in the environmental sector and integration intothe urban landscape for the benefit of local communities
Linking Biomimicry/Bio-inspiration and NBS
NBS
Living solutions inspired by,
continuously supported by
and using nature, which are
designed to address various
societal challenges in a
resource-efficient and
adaptable manner and to
provide simultaneously
economic, social, and
environmental benefit
BIOMIMICRY / BIO-
INSPIRATIONAn approach to
innovation that seeks
sustainable solutions
to human challenges
by emulating nature's
time-tested patterns
and strategies
Biomimicry & sustainabilityExperts are all around us, and their R&D department is 3.8 billion years ahead of ours …
In a given context, what would nature do?
→ 3 interpretation levels
• FORM
• PROCESSES
• ECOSYSTEMS
The case for bio-inspired, nature-
based innovations from soil
ecosystems
Inspiration from soil chemical engineers…
SOIL
MICROBES
Carbon cycling and storage
Organic matter breakdown
Nutrient cycling, water
filtration
A Biomimetic Project Design
Soil Biocarbonatation and Agroforestry
Crédits photo : Biomimicry, Sadhana Forest, Article29
Biomimicry Europa
www.biomimicry.eu
Quand la nature
inspire des modèles
durables
Arbres Sauveurs Programme
The case of soil mycoremediation
Developing bioinspired environmental technologies
EUROPE
• 3,5M potentially polluted
sites
• 0,5M treated sites
• A 6,5 billion € yearly cost
for treatment !
BELGIUM
• 118000
potentially
polluted sites
• 12000 identified
sites
Soil remediation market
FRANCE
• 250 000 potentially
polluted sites (PPS)
• 46 PPS / 1000 capita
Mycoremediation: a competitive advantage
Competitive alternative to
physical and thermal treatments
Simultanous treatmentof cocktail pollutants
Always pre-validated and
adapted to each site specificities
Onsite treatment
no transportation cost
Attractive treatment
time (vs. bioremediation& phytoremediation)
Nature based & restorative
Towards industrial scale up
Production:
Infrastructures &
circular economy
Onsite
implementation:
Bioingineering
Cleantech within the NBS framework
NBS INITIATIVES
→ Greener, carbon
storing cities
Green waste
→ domestic waste
→ green infrastructure
organic waste
Solid waste treatment facilities
→ Biomethanization slurry
→ composting platforms
Compost &
lignin-containing
waste
PHYTOTECHNOLOGIES
→ Water filtration
→ Electricity
→ Soil remediation
MYCOTECHNOLOGIES
→ Fungal biomass production for:
- Soil remediation
- Plastic biodegradation in compost
- Soil amendment
CARBON BIOSEQUESTRATION
→ Exploiting biomineralization
- Oxalotrophic trees
CLEAN LIVING
SOIL
CLEAN LIVING
SOIL
More about biomimicry
• Brussels event, Nov. 6:• "Nature-based Solutions for more
sustainable and resilient societies“• 18:30 – 20:30, European Parliament,
Brussels, Room P4B001• Keynote speech on bio-inspiration by
Leen Gorissen
• Biomimicry Belgium • www.biomimicrybe.org• [email protected]
THANK YOU