Converting biomass into biochar is a useful way to store carbon for hundreds of years. Through a process called pyrolysis, biomass is burned without oxygen, leading to the formation of biochar, along with bio-oil and a gas that can be used as fuel. The resulting biochar contains up to 95 % carbon and has a very low risk of reversion, meaning that the carbon in the biochar is very unlikely to be returned to the atmosphere.

Puro is the standard we use for biochar projects and the carbon credits are called CO2 Removal Certificates, or CORC. Founded in 2019, Puro has a science-based methodology for calculating the climate benefits of biochar projects, including the emissions associated with the production of the biochar.

As biochar is a fledgling industry, the sale of carbon credits is really helping to scale it up. The hope is that in the future it can be sustained solely through agricultural purchases, without the support of carbon credits. But for now, it is economically unfeasible to create biochar without support from the carbon credit market.

We can buy biochar credits in Scandinavia, Europe or globally, and each project has slightly different ways of working. For example, Scandinavian projects typically use logging residues from the timber industry as fuel and contribute to district heating systems. Another project in Brazil uses specially grown eucalyptus as a feedstock, but focuses on preserving the primary rainforest in the surrounding area.

The variety of biomass sources is reflected in the many different ways in which the resulting biochar is used. It is often used instead of fertilizer because of the benefits biochar provides for soil health. Biochar was even used as a planting substrate for many trees in the city of Stockholm, as it increases the space for roots to grow compared to regular soils. This has allowed for more greenery in the urban area, supporting local ecosystem services from the growing trees and the gas produced during pyrolysis is used in the district heating network.

We can help you find the right project based on your volume, location and price requirements.

Contact zeromission for more information.