Partner: The European Union ,through a partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the UNDP organization, with the financial support of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF), and as an integral part of the "EU Green Agenda in Serbia" call

Period: 2026.

Project coordinator: Dr. Nataša Barišić Klisarić, Department of Evolutionary Biology, IBISS

Team members from IBISS:
Dr. Maja Raković, Department of Hydroecology and Water Protection
Dr. Nataša Popović, Department of Hydroecology and Water Protection
Dr. Uroš Živković, Department of Evolutionary Biology
Dr. Larisa Ilijin, Department of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry

External advisors:
Dr. Marija Tasić, Faculty of Technology, University of Niš
Dr. Olivera Stamenković, Faculty of Technology, University of Niš
Dr. Milan Kostić, Faculty of Technology, University of Niš
Dr. Jugoslav Krstić, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade
Dr. Nemanja Gavrilov, Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade

Abstract

The Green Carbomanufacturing (GCM) project addresses Serbia’s waste management, sustainable soil health, and decarbonisation by converting grape pomace into hydrochar through the hydrothermal carbonisation process (HTC).

Winery waste presents a significant environmental and economic challenge. During wine production, various types of waste are generated per grape, including stem (6%), pomace (30%), sludge (2%), wastewater (50%), and fermented gas emissions. Although rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, winery waste can cause soil and groundwater pollution, while storage and improper processing can emit carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases.

Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) offers a potential solution for winery waste management. The process converts wet organic waste into hydrochar, which can be used as a soil conditioner, fuel, or for adsorption.

The Green Carbomanufacturing (GCM) project aims to implement HTC technology to convert 10 tonnes of winery waste (pomace) into hydrochar, which will be used as a soil conditioner. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Technology, University of Niš, the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, and the Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade. The Pusula Winery (Astra ITB d.o.o) will be responsible for grape pomace collection and testing the hydrochar under real environmental conditions.