A new product joins our portfolio – biochar.
But what exactly is it? Roughly speaking, biochar is charred biomass that is produced by burning in the absence of oxygen. The process is called pyrolysis. In the case of biochar, thermal carbonisation of biomass takes place. Untreated wood, hedge, tree or grass cuttings as well as other biogenic residues and biowaste serve as the starting material here, for example.
Biochar has great potential; for example, it is an excellent soil conditioner. Due to its porous nature, it permanently improves the water retention capacity of the soil. Nutrients and trace elements are stored longer, and at the same time leaching of nutrients and microorganisms is reduced, i.e. they are available to the soil flora and plants for longer. When used correctly, biochar increases soil activity and thus improves the build-up of soil humus.
However, the advantages of biochar become apparent already in the context of cascade use, e.g. in stables. Biochar can reduce odour and fly pressure by spreading it in the barn. In addition, nutrients (excreta of the animals) come into direct contact with the biochar and it is thus “activated”, which leads to an improvement in manure and thus makes it a high-quality fertiliser for the soil.
With its versatile positive properties, biochar therefore is often used for mixing with fertilisers, compost or manure, as an additive in biogas plants or as an additive in stable bedding. It is also used in organic farming in accordance with the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2164.
An exciting product. With the inclusion of biochar in our product portfolio, we have therefore also joined the Fachverband Pflanzenkohle e. V. (German Biochar Association) with the Brüning Group. We followed this year’s international conference of the association under the motto “Everything but wood” in Darmstadt at the beginning of November with great interest when we attended. The focus was on the topic of input materials for pyrolysis, in particular the expansion of permitted input materials in the updated EU regulations for fertiliser products (Regulation 2019/1009). But the topic of biochar as a biomass competitor was also discussed. Torben Halfer, project manager, about the symposium: “We gave a presentation on biomass availability and logistics on behalf of the Brüning Group. The question of whether there is enough biomass was the main focus and was discussed controversially after the presentation. Furthermore, many scientific studies on the application and effectiveness of biochar were presented.”
We source the biochar from national and international suppliers. Please contact us so that we can discuss your requirements and needs in detail and find the material with the desired properties and qualities for you. The minimum order quantity is one truck with approx. 22 pallets or 12-16 tonnes.
