New Surfaces Available for Cultivation of Non-Edible Plants on Former Industrial Soils: The LORVER Project

The LORVER project aims to build a complete valorization chain for degraded industrial sites and waste materials in the Lorraine region. First, available brownfield soils and by-products are identified and used to construct Technosols with required agronomic properties. Non-food industrial crops—such as short rotation coppices, hemp, nettle, and metal-accumulating plants—are then planted. Developed processes, including pyrolysis, convert biomass into energy, biochar, fibers, and metal-based products. Finally, the project assesses environmental and economic impacts under circular economy and sustainable development principles.