Emil Dahl Nielsen’s interest in biology started early, but it was a road filled with detours. “I applied to study biology because I found it fascinating in high school, but along the way, I began to doubt what I actually wanted to use it for,” he explains. After a few years in the biology program and a sabaticle year at a peoples college, he started considering his future more purposefully.

“I found a program in agrobiology that combined agriculture and the environment. It really caught my interest, especially because it felt like a conflicting but exciting combination,” he says. From that moment, Emil was hooked, and he began diving deeper into how agriculture could be reconciled with environmental and climate concerns.

Research focused on the future
Since his studies, Emil Dahl Nielsen has worked on several projects within sustainable construction and biomass production. “I had no idea that sustainable construction was something I would end up working with, but suddenly I found myself right in the middle of it,” he laughs.

His research focuses on how agricultural byproducts, such as grass fibers, can be used to create building materials. It’s a new and exciting direction that benefits both the environment and the agricultural economy, he explains. “It’s incredibly exciting to see how we can create building materials that are both sustainable and economically advantageous for farmers.”

One of his goals is to find solutions where agricultural byproducts can be transformed into valuable materials, such as insulation materials that can be used in construction. In this way, resource-intensive materials can be replaced, and buildings can be used as a form of carbon storage for biomass.

The dream of an industrial PhD
Now, Emil Dahl Nielsen is taking the next step in his career: an industrial PhD. “I’m working on an application for an industrial PhD, where I’ll collaborate with both Aarhus University and various business partners to develop biogenic building materials,” he says. The project will not only help agriculture become more sustainable but also contribute to the development of tomorrow’s building materials.

The application focuses on optimizing the use of agricultural residues, particularly digested grass fibers, to create new, innovative building materials. “If we can find a way to utilize these fibers, it will be a big step forward for both agriculture and construction,” he says enthusiastically.

Collaboration is key
Emil Dahl Nielsen has chosen to collaborate with two innovative companies for his industrial PhD. The first partner is a Danish company specializing in the production of sustainable wood fiber insulation, focusing on developing eco-friendly and biogenic insulation materials that are both efficient and regenerative.

The second partner is a manor farm in Western Jutland that combines traditional farming with modern sustainability principles. Their operations are innovative and known for their work with renewable energy and grass protein, which can replace soy. They are engaged in several innovative projects within green energy and circular bioeconomy.

Although he will collaborate with the two companies, Emil Dahl Nielsen will be enrolled at Aarhus University, Department of Agroecology, throughout his PhD, where he can combine academic research with practical experience from his business partners.

The future looks green
Emil Dahl Nielsen’s journey from student to researcher is an inspiring example of how one can find their path by following their curiosity and passion. His work shows that with the right combination of research and practical application, one can truly make a difference.

“I hope my research can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future, where agriculture and construction complement each other,” Emil Dahl Nielsen concludes.

More Information:
Contact: Emil Dahl Nielsen, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University.
Email: emildahl@agro.au.dk