The biochar renaissance - transforming waste into tomorrow’s solutions

Once a niche agricultural product, Biochar is now a versatile solution that is stepping into the spotlight of the modern bioeconomy. Its potential is far broader today than it has ever been. As industries face mounting pressure to decarbonize, reduce waste, and create more sustainable supply chains, biochar offers a versatile and immediate solution. With roots grounded in ancient practices, biochar now plays a critical role in driving innovation across industries striving for sustainability.

What is biochar and why it matters

Biochar is commonly produced by heating organic materials, such as wood chips or agricultural residues, by exposing the material to high heat without oxygen, a process called pyrolysis. The result is a form of carbon that can be used for soil amendments, energy generation, composite additives, and even building materials. Though it’s long been valued as a fertilizer, its full potential has only begun to unfold as industries look to more sustainable practices.

For industries like forestry, paper, and packaging, biochar offers a chance to do more than just manage waste—it enables businesses to enhance their sustainability efforts while contributing to decarbonization targets.

Biochar’s role today in carbon capture, energy, waste management, and fertilizer

What sets biochar apart is its versatility. As a method of carbon capture, it helps lock away carbon that would otherwise contribute to the global carbon footprint. By converting biomass into biochar, companies can offset emissions and support their climate goals. This is particularly valuable in sectors like construction, where biochar is being used to create climate-neutral materials.

Beyond carbon sequestration, biochar is being embraced as a sustainable energy source. During pyrolysis, biochar generates bio-oil and syngas, both of which can be harnessed for heating or electricity production. This offers a practical, cost-effective alternative for companies looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Waste management is another area where biochar proves its value. In industries like forestry, paper, and packaging, large amounts of waste are generated throughout the production process. By converting this waste into biochar, companies not only reduce landfill use but also unlock the potential for a valuable resource. This transformation is not only sustainable but also cost-effective, helping businesses reduce waste disposal costs.

Lastly, biochar continues to shine as a fertilizer. By improving soil health, enhancing nutrient retention, and promoting beneficial microbial activity, biochar fosters more productive and sustainable agricultural practices. Its ability to enhance soil quality supports both ecological goals and long-term productivity. Biochar amendments have been shown to increase soil health and tree growth by 2x, making it an ideal solution for sustainable agricultural practices.

Biochar in forestry: sustainable resource management and decarbonization

In the forestry sector, biochar is an underutilized resource that can play a crucial role in sustainable resource management. It improves soil health, increases water retention, and fosters stronger and better tree growth—all of which contribute to more sustainable forest ecosystems. Biochar can also lead to a 30% reduction in water usage for forest management due to its improved water retention properties.

The benefits don’t stop at the environment. Biochar also acts as a fossil fuel replacement in industries beyond forestry, particularly in the paper and pulp sectors. Its potential to drive decarbonization across the supply chain is evident—companies can reduce emissions while improving operational efficiency and lowering energy costs.

The business impact is clear. Biochar not only supports environmental goals but also improves bottom lines. By enhancing productivity in forestry operations and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, biochar can help businesses achieve their sustainability targets and realize significant cost savings. In fact, biochar can lead to a 25% potential energy cost savings when used as a fossil fuel replacement in industrial processes.

Pyrolysis and mobile systems for biochar production

One of the strengths of biochar production is its adaptability. While pyrolysis remains the most common method for producing biochar, its flexibility is key. For example, slow pyrolysis produces higher yields and carbon content than other methods like hydrothermal carbonization or gasification, making it a reliable choice for biomass producers and industries that generate waste.

For companies seeking even greater flexibility, mobile pyrolysis units are emerging as an effective solution. These units can be deployed on-site, eliminating the need for transporting waste to a central facility. This reduces logistical costs and improves overall production efficiency.

Demand across industries: steel, biomass, and waste solutions

Biochar’s rising demand is fueled by its broad applicability across key industries. In steel manufacturing, biochar is increasingly used as a replacement for coke in blast furnaces. This simple shift helps reduce emissions while enabling companies to meet environmental standards, without sacrificing operational performance.

Biomass producers also stand to benefit from biochar production. By converting their waste materials into biochar, these producers create additional value from otherwise discarded materials. This not only generates a profitable resource but also advances sustainability efforts in industries that are heavily reliant on biomass.

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Startups driving biochar innovation

Startups around the globe are at the forefront of pioneering ways to harness biochar's potential for carbon sequestration, waste management, and sustainable development. By transforming agricultural and industrial residues into high-value biochar, these companies are setting new standards in decarbonization and creating scalable solutions for a more sustainable future.

Decarbonizing supply chains through agricultural waste

One example of biochar’s role in supply chain decarbonization comes from Cotierra, a Swiss-Columbian startup that produces biochar from coffee plantation wastes to offset carbon emissions. The coffee supply chain urgently requires solutions to tackle degrading soil conditions and sustainability concerns. By turning agricultural waste into biochar, Cotierra helps sequester carbon and improves soil health. This closed-loop system helps coffee producers meet decarbonization targets and sets a strong example for other industries looking to integrate biochar into their own supply chains.

Sustainable waste management for regenerative agriculture

Poas is an innovative biochar startup dedicated to sustainable waste management and carbon sequestration. The company is pioneering a hybrid gasification/pyrolysis system that efficiently processes high-moisture waste, such as pineapple and coffee residues, to produce energy-dense biochar and syngas rich in methane.

Coffee and pineapple waste pose significant costs for producers, contributing to a global annual CO₂ equivalent impact of 3 million tons. Poas collaborates with agricultural partners to convert this waste into ethanol, energy, biochar, and carbon credits. With a strong focus on environmental impact, Poas is leading the way in integrating biochar into regenerative agriculture and carbon credit markets.

Revolutionizing construction with carbon-negative materials

Ecolocked and Carbon Instead are trailblazing the use of biochar to transform the construction industry. By integrating biochar into building materials such as concrete and insulation, these companies tackle two pressing challenges: reducing the carbon footprint of construction and enhancing material performance. Biochar-infused materials can improve durability, thermal properties, and carbon sequestration potential.

As global construction emissions account for nearly 40% of annual CO₂ output, Ecolocked and Carbon Instead are setting an inspiring example of how biochar can revolutionize traditional industries. Their approach demonstrates how waste-derived biochar supports decarbonization and redefines sustainability standards in construction.

By bringing fresh perspectives to biochar technology, startups are enabling industries to meet their sustainability goals more effectively and efficiently while also opening up new avenues for business growth.

SOSA: your partner for innovation in forestry, paper, and packaging

Biochar’s versatility makes it an essential component of sustainable solutions for industries like forestry, paper, and packaging. By transforming waste into valuable resources, biochar helps companies reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and achieve long-term sustainability goals. Whether through carbon capture, waste management, or energy generation, biochar plays a key role in building more resilient and environmentally responsible supply chains.

At SOSA, we’re actively helping companies like Klabin, Suzano, and CMPC explore biochar’s potential while also addressing other sustainability challenges. By connecting these forestry, paper and packaging industry leaders with innovative startups, we’re enabling them to uncover new solutions that drive both operational efficiency and sustainability across their value chains. With a proven track record of enhancing efficiency and sustainability, we’re the ideal partner to help you adapt, innovate, and lead the future of your industry. Let's talk.