As part of the Communities for Climate (C4C) program, Ermitaj Malin is organizing a free event from April 10 to 12, open to everyone, focused on the Jean Pain method. This gathering follows the arboriculture course taking place from April 5 to 9. Together, we will build a brushwood compost heap that will allow us to heat water for several months.
Who was Jean Pain, and what is his method?
If someone told you that you could heat your water, produce biogas, and fertilize your soil using brushwood, would you think it was just another green myth? Yet, a French agronomist did exactly that as early as the 1970s. His name? Jean Pain.
This visionary pioneer developed an unconventional composting technique, now known as the Jean Pain Method. The idea? Transform shredded wood waste into a source of energy and soil fertility. While seemingly simple, this method relies on an undeniable scientific principle: the decomposition of organic matter generates heat and gases. Jean Pain found a way to harness these natural processes, turning them into a solution that is economical, ecological, and ingenious.
A natural heating system, without combustion or electricity
At the core of the Jean Pain system lies a massive pile of shredded brushwood. As this biomass decomposes, it releases heat that can be captured to warm water or air.
But he didn’t stop there. The fermentation process of the compost also produces biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. By integrating a digester into his system, Jean Pain was able to collect this gas to fuel a stove, a generator, and even an experimental vehicle.
Finally, after several months of fermentation, the decomposed material turned into rich humus, which was used to fertilize the soil. A triple benefit: energy, self-sufficiency, and soil regeneration.
Jean Pain implemented his technique on land in Provence, which he managed for the French forestry office. At a time when the world was already reliant on oil, he proposed a renewable, local, and low-cost alternative. His work was praised by some and ignored by others.
Though his method was never widely adopted, it remains an inspiring approach in a world where ecological transition has become an urgent matter. Perhaps now is the time to rediscover and adapt Jean Pain’s legacy to our modern needs.
So, ready to give it a try?
The Jean Pain Method is particularly useful for:
- Agricultural projects, as it provides fertilizer and heat for greenhouses while avoiding legal restrictions on burning pruning and meadow maintenance waste.
- Municipalities, which could use it to partially heat schools or public buildings while offering high-quality compost to residents.
- Anyone involved in forest management, as it offers a potential additional income while improving soil health.
- Engineers and innovators, who could refine the infrastructure needed to safely collect the gases released.
This method requires equipment and a time investment, but it proves that, with a bit of ingenuity and a lot of brushwood, a waste product can be transformed into an energy-generating system.
You can read this article by Antim Nechifor in collaboration with Ionuț Bădică, who successfully heated a greenhouse throughout the winter as part of the Grădinescu project.
Watch this 1979 interview with Jean Pain: The Gas from Brushwood.
Ready to compost for heat? Practical Information
- Dates: April 10-12, 2025
- April 10: Shredding of pruning waste from the arboriculture course, site preparation for the compost heap.
- April 11: Compost assembly and pipe installation.
- April 12: Construction of the shower cabin, finishing touches.
- The schedule may vary depending on progress—it’s difficult to predict the exact timeline.
- Free event
- Bring your own picnic.
Interested?
Contact us via our contact form, specifying which day(s) you will attend. Schools and groups are welcome.