Background Biomass is expected to become a vital renewable energy resource because of its wide availability and storage possibilities. Compared with other renewable energy sources, biomass can produce peak performance on short notice if possibilities to store the raw material exist. Moreover, a multitude of technical methods are available for recovering energy from it. Among solid biomass, wood biomass deserves special emphasis because of its neutral CO2 balance. The Best4VarioUse project focused on exploiting the potential use as biomass of agricultural and forestry wastes and residues. The LIFE project was a follow-up project to the activities of Perspective 2007-2013 under the Interreg IIIc programne. Potentials and opportunities in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt, Valencia and Northern Great Plain would be identified and know-how transfer between the regions facilitated. The project was a response to the need to develop ways to utilise ligneous or woody biomass residues from agriculture (fruit growing), forestry and landscape conservation. Based on the findings of he previous project, it applied an interregional approach to facilitate the pooling of international expertise in the field of biomass. The exchange of experience among the individual partners in the three European regions would advance the application of biomass technologies throughout Europe. Objectives The objective of the Best4VarioUse project was to test, demonstrate and transfer the applicability of conventional and innovative technologies and methods of processing woody wastes and residues from landscape conservation, agriculture and forestry. It aimed to produce raw materials – previously classified as waste according to the Commission Decision 2000/532/EC (waste keys 02 01 07 and 02 01 03) – for energy and material utilisation chains and to determine and evaluate best practices and technologies in the field in order to develop economically and ecologically efficient material flows. The specific aims of the project were to: Demonstrate innovative overall concepts while ensuring a positive energy footprint; Minimise the environmental impact of the staging processes; Demonstrate the economic/ecological potential to eliminate barriers to development and utilisation; Increase the proportion of biomass residues utilised as energy and material; Present sustainable re-financing options for preserving designated protected areas in Europe; Mobilise unutilised and/or under-utilised potentials and motivate forest owners; Develop new service sectors creating jobs; Promote sustainable regional development.Promoting energy efficiency and increasing the utilisation of renewable energies are two strategic aims that will open up large areas of possibility for new technologies and innovations. The consortium assembled for the project would also focus on safeguarding long-term competitiveness and jobs. Results The Best4VarioUse project covered two very different regions and scenarios for the mobilisation and use of residual woody biomass: the Valencian region of Spain and Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany. This regional approach was shown to be very useful for drawing up guidelines on a European level and gaining a joint perspective. However, regional peculiarities had to be taken into account as they will ultimately define best practice at a regional level. The project achieved almost all its objectives. The field tests were carried out in Germany and Spain and the results were evaluated according to the means developed by the project. The test results for energy and material utilisation showed that wood chips made of biomass residues can be used for material recycling (MDF boards) and the European standards could be fulfilled after additional pre-treatment of the chips. However, the results of the combustion tests were not as successful as initially expected. The European standards were not reached for the combustion of the wood chips; the material is too heterogeneous and the moisture content is not optimal. Furthers tests and especially additional pre-treatment of the material are still needed. Additional problems relate to the project’s complex structure. In total 16 partners were engaged, creating management difficulties especially in the area of finance. Nevertheless, the project directly contributed to a more efficient use of biomass resources by supporting efficient organisation of biomass supply chains. Though the project concluded that no single best practice can be recommended, it identified those factors that play a significant role in achieving a sustainable value chain. The EU has drawn up a biomass action plan, and the project demonstrated how several of its targets can be reached by providing optimal prerequisites for sustainable management. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).