Biogenic CO₂ for fossil-free greenhouse horticulture

An integrated route from regional organic residues to biogenic CO₂, renewable heat and circular nutrients

Serca develops integrated plant concepts that convert regional non-wood residues into three value streams for greenhouse horticulture: biogenic CO₂, renewable heat and circular fertilisers. The concept combines conversion, energy use, CO₂ capture and nutrient recovery in one system logic, specifically developed for greenhouse applications.

Designed for greenhouse applications | Integrated chain approach | Preparing for FEED and demonstration

Why greenhouse horticulture needs a new CO₂ system

The sector remains dependent on CO₂ enrichment while fossil sources are becoming less future-proof.

Greenhouse crops remain dependent on CO₂ enrichment, while policy pressure and rising costs are putting the fossil CO₂ chain under increasing pressure. In the Dutch greenhouse sector, climate-neutrality by 2040 is a clear direction, while natural gas taxation is set to rise between 2025 and 2035. At the same time, current fossil CO₂ use for crop enrichment is around 3.5 million tonnes per year.

Climate transition

Dutch greenhouse horticulture is moving toward climate-neutrality by 2040.

Persistent CO₂ demand

Greenhouses cannot grow crops feasibly without added CO₂.

Pressure on fossil sources

The existing fossil CO₂ chain faces growing pressure from taxation and transition policy.

One integrated chain, three value streams

A system concept built around greenhouse demand, regional feedstocks and circular outputs.

Serca develops a biogenic CO₂ production concept that enables greenhouse operators to move toward secure, fossil-free CO₂ and heat on site. The system starts from regional feedstocks such as roadside grass, champost and other non-wood residues, and converts them into biogenic CO₂, renewable heat and circular fertilisers.

Input

Roadside grass
Champost
Other regional non-wood residues

Process

Conversion
Energy integration
CO₂ capture and liquefaction
Nutrient recovery

Output

Biogenic CO₂
Renewable heat
Circular fertilisers

Technology blocks

The concept combines four building blocks in one integrated architecture.

The current concept combines fluidized bed conversion, steam turbine integration, CO₂ capture and liquefaction, and nutrient recovery. Within the deck, nutrient recovery is positioned as TRL3 patented technology, while the full project is developed through phased engineering and validation.

Fluidized bed

Thermal conversion of regional residues as the basis of the integrated system.

Steam turbine

Energy integration focused on usable value streams for the plant concept.

CO₂ capture & liquefaction

Biogenic CO₂ capture and conditioning for greenhouse use.

Nutrient recovery

Recovery of valuable nutrients from the residual fraction. TRL3 patented tech.

Why Serca is different

Not a generic biomass case, but a greenhouse-focused integrated chain concept.

The Serca concept is designed specifically for greenhouse applications and combines three value streams in one plant logic. The deck highlights flexibility in non-wood feedstocks, triple value creation, integrated chain design, net CO₂ reduction and lower disposal costs for suppliers.

Feedstock flexibility

Wide range of regional low-quality feedstocks without pre-treatment and without wood as the basis.

Triple value creation

Biogenic CO₂, renewable heat and circular fertilisers in one concept.

Integrated chain design

Specifically designed for greenhouses rather than adapted from a generic combustion case.

CO₂ reduction

Significant net CO₂ reduction per plant.

Regional value creation

Linking residues, greenhouse demand and circular outputs in one regional chain.

 

Lower disposal pressure

Reducing disposal costs for feedstock suppliers.

Development route toward FEED and demonstration

A phased path from concept development to engineering, demonstration and deployment.

Serca is advancing from concept development toward the next engineering stage: a FEED-oriented phase that prepares the project for demonstration. This step is intended to reduce technical, integration and implementation risk, while translating the concept into a bankable and deployable greenhouse-focused system.

Discovery

Business case development, early validation and concept formation.

Development

Further technical development and preparation for the next engineering phase.

Demonstration

Pilot-to-demonstration route for first practical implementation.

Deployment

Path toward commercial rollout.

A structural market need

The opportunity is not theoretical: the Dutch greenhouse sector has a large long-term CO₂ demand.

The Dutch greenhouse sector is the first target market in the deck, with current CO₂ demand around 3.5 million tonnes. The opportunity slide also frames a structural gap between future demand and future supply of biogenic CO₂, while a SERCA plant concept is positioned around 40,000 tonnes CO₂ per plant.

First target market

NL greenhouse sector

 

Current CO₂ demand

~3.5 million tonnes/year

 

Plant concept

40,000 tonnes CO₂/plant

 

Built with partners across the chain

The next phase requires aligned greenhouse, technology, logistics and public-sector partners.

Serca is developing its concept together with strategic partners across the value chain. The next phase is focused on building the right partnerships for FEED, demonstration and first implementation, linking technology, feedstock, logistics and greenhouse demand into one integrated approach.

Greenhouse partners

Launching customers, site fit, demand profile and operational alignment.

 

Technology partners

Conversion, capture, liquefaction, integration and EPC preparation.

 

Feedstock & logistics partners

Reliable sourcing, transport and regional chain organisation.

 

Public and regional stakeholders

Support for engineering, demonstration readiness and greenhouse transition.

 

Compact team, focused execution

A lean core team with technical, strategic and partnership-driven capabilities.

 

The founding team combines engineering and business leadership. In the deck, Niels Huibers is positioned on technology and engineering, while Peggy Huibers is positioned on strategy, finance and organisation. The website should keep this section compact and credible.

 

Niels Huibers

Mechanical Engineer

Focus on technology, engineering and integrated plant development.

Peggy Huibers

MSc International Business

Focus on strategy, finance, organisation and partnership development.

We usually respond within a few working days.

You can also reach us directly at info@serca.consulting

Towards a biogenic and secure future

Integrated plant development for biogenic CO₂, renewable heat and circular nutrients.

Serca develops greenhouse-focused chain solutions that connect regional residues to future-proof CO₂ supply.