Biochar is a highly porous, stable form of charcoal produced through pyrolysis. Which involves heating organic biomass (forestry waste, animal manure etc) to a temperature between 400°C to 700°C in the absence of oxygen.Â
This process results in a carbon-rich substance that can then be concentrated and permanently stored underground. Through highly scientific and robust processes biochar typically locks away 1 ton of COs which is equivalent to 3 tons of CO2 permanently removed from the atmosphere.
Biochar Benefits
Permanent Carbon Sequestration: The biochar production process turns organic waste into stable charcoal that is resistant to decomposition. It’s remarkable capacity to sequester carbon lies in its stability. When incorporated into soil, biochar remains in the ground for centuries, effectively locking away carbon that might otherwise contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This storage efficiency of carbon removal has been highlighted by the IPCCÂ
Cost effective: Soil sequestration of pyrolysed carbon is a relatively inexpensive option compared to other carbon removal techniques.Â
Co-benefits for local communities
Biochar production provides an additional source of income for smallholder farmers in emerging economies. By creating new jobs in rural areas, biochar production can help to reduce urban migration. It reduce inequalities and support the development of local economies.Â
It improves soil fertility and water retention, benefiting agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. That’s why it’s a very porous substance that sucks in nutrients becoming a non pollutant substitute to chemical fertilisers.Â
Additionally, biochar production creates electricity as a byproduct that can be utilised as a renewable energy source. Biochar is also a great circular economy solution to disposing crop residues, manure, and forestry waste.
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Impact on carbon removal
There is widespread agreement that we need to pursue multiple strategies to slow climate change. The current net zero trajectory will leave us falling short of all base targets by 2030. Unless we triple down on carbon removal. In the coming years, biochar is set to play a critical role in climate change mitigation.Â
Momentum is growing for the CDR industry and according to experts 2024 will be the biggest year for removals yet. The Global stocktake showed that we are not on track for the 1.5 degrees target. There is growing awareness that both decarbonisation and carbon removal are necessary to hit global climate targets. The final COP statement said âgovernments need to take action and removals are important in the equationâ. This is a game changer for the future of industry.
Regulation and public money is moving away from industry support and funneled into high impact climate change projects and carbon removal technologies. Project developers will be able to leverage various grants, subsidies, and tax incentives aimed at promoting biochar production.Â
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CrystalTrade role with traceability & LCA for Biochar
CrystalTrade has developed a state-of-the-art carbon removal platform which is gaining significant traction. Our newly released end-to-end LifeCycle Analysis (LCA) software is a first of its kind in the industry and represents an important breakthrough for the carbon removal market. Our LCA software captures all data related to biochar carbon removal projects from feedstock to final use. Using our tool, project developers can design their Life Cycle Analysis and customise it to their processes to track emissions per item (pyrolysis emissions, fertiliser production emissions, drying emissions, capital emissions, etc.).
We are honoured to be attracting a great deal of biochar producers keen to use our proprietary lifecycle analysis and traceability tool to calculate the net environmental impact. The tool responds to a pain point by guaranteeing accurate issuance of carbon credits of the biochar production which in turn helps them command higher prices in the market. Simultaneously, we are receiving remarkable interest from corporate buyers seeking high-quality data-backed carbon credits to shield their reputation against greenwashing claims and regulatory risk.
Explore our new LCA and traceability platform and find out how it can add value to your project!