What is Biochar?

Biochar is a type of charcoal made by thermal degradation of natural materials, such as wood or crop waste with minimal oxygen. 

Whilst typical charcoal is used mostly as fuel for cooking or heating, biochar is mostly used as a soil amendment to help improve plant growth and capture carbon.

In this blog, Anergy will cover biochar, how it is made, its benefits, and how we use it.

What is biochar used for?

Biochar is primarily used to improve soil health and promote sustainable agriculture by: 

• helping retain water

• boost nutrient availability

• promote the growth of beneficial microbes

Beyond farming, biochar is also used for environmental benefits like capturing and storing carbon. Its ability to lock carbon in the ground makes it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change.

How is biochar made?

Biochar is created through a thermochemical process called pyrolysis (or using methods like Anergy’s High‑Temperature Pyrolysis, HTP), where organic materials like wood, crop waste, or manure are heated at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment. 

This prevents the material from burning completely and instead transforms it into a stable, carbon-rich substance. Because this product decomposes very slowly, it traps carbon that would otherwise escape as CO₂, making it useful as a tool for carbon sequestration. 

Advanced methods like Anergy’s High-Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) create biochar with a more porous surface and lower volatile content, making it even more effective at storing carbon and holding onto nutrients. This not only improves soil fertility but can also help restore degraded land by retaining moisture and supporting healthy soil.

Biochar's Role in Renewable Energy

As a carbon-rich byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, biochar captures and stores carbon that would otherwise be released as harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. When buried underground, biochar serves as a long-term carbon sequestration solution, contributing to the fight against climate change.

Beyond its ecological advantages, biochar production is also linked to the growing carbon credit market. Companies that are aiming to meet net-zero or carbon-negative goals can earn certified carbon removal credits through biochar production. This has become an increasingly important strategy for businesses pursuing more sustainable practices. 

Traditional methods of handling biomass waste, such as open burning or landfilling, come with significant environmental concerns. Open burning of biomass often leads to incomplete combustion, releasing harmful pollutants like soot, carbon monoxide, and sulfur and nitrogen oxides (SOx and NOx). Landfilling biomass waste results in methane emissions as it decomposes, further contributing to global warming. 

By converting biomass waste into biochar, we reduce harmful emissions while repurposing organic waste into a valuable resource. Not only does this reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, but it also eliminates methane emissions that would otherwise occur during decomposition.

Industrial and Commercial Applications

1. Water Filtration 

Biochar’s ability to adsorb contaminants makes it highly effective for water filtration and environmental clean-up. With its porous structure, biochar can be a more cost-effective method of capturing pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and organic contaminants from water sources. 

It has already found applications in industrial water treatment, particularly in sectors like mining and agriculture.

2. Renewable Energy Production

When produced through pyrolysis or gasification, biochar is created alongside biofuels such as syngas or bio-oil, which can power industrial boilers, heat systems, and even power plants. These biofuels provide a cleaner, more sustainable energy source than conventional fossil fuels. 

Additionally, biochar itself has potential as a solid fuel due to its high energy density, making it suitable for use in industries such as cement production and metallurgy as an alternative to coal.

3. Soil Improvement and Agricultural Applications

In addition to boosting nutrient retention and water-holding capacity in agricultural soils, biochar is increasingly used in commercial horticulture and land reclamation. It is being applied in forestry projects, mine site rehabilitation, and in industrial land reclamation to restore soil structure. 

Biochar can also reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, helping businesses in the agricultural sector reduce costs.

4. Waste Management

Waste materials like agricultural residues, forestry by-products, and even municipal waste can be converted into biochar through pyrolysis. This waste-to-biochar conversion supports a circular economy, where waste products are repurposed into valuable resources. 

Biochar production also addresses methane emissions from landfills, as biomass waste decomposing in landfills can generate potent greenhouse gases like methane.

5. Construction and Building Materials

By adding biochar to concrete and other construction products, companies can enhance the thermal insulation, durability, and overall sustainability of these materials. The incorporation of biochar into concrete can reduce its carbon footprint while improving its performance, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious construction projects.

Challenges and Considerations

While biochar offers significant benefits, it faces several challenges that need to be addressed for its wider use.

A major barrier is the absence of standardised production and application guidelines. Without clear protocols and feedstocks, biochar can vary in quality, leading to inconsistent results. This inconsistency can cause uncertainty, especially in agricultural and environmental applications.

Biochar can also carry contaminants like heavy metals if produced from contaminated feedstocks, such as waste or polluted biomass. These contaminants can harm soil and water quality when biochar is used improperly. 

There are also the long-term effects to consider.  While early studies show positive results, more research is needed to understand its impact over time and optimise its use without unintended consequences.

Anergy Case Study: Tineo

The Tineo Project, part of a European LIFE Project, was developed by a consortium of companies in Spain to produce significant quantities of biochar for large-scale field trials. 

The aim is to assess biochar’s potential as a cost-effective soil enhancer and a safe method of carbon sequestration.

The project serves as a demonstration for Anergy, showcasing containerised, autonomous operation for European clients. 

After a two-year delay and a global search for suitable technology, it became clear that Anergy’s technology was the only viable option that met the project’s budget and performance requirements.

Interested in how biochar can help your business? Feel free to contact Anergy today to find out more.