At the same time, biochar binds carbon in the long term, helping to prevent the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Thanks to its versatile properties, it is also used in livestock farming, wastewater treatment, and as an additive in construction materials. In addition, the production of biochar generates renewable energy in the form of heat, which can be used as process heat or converted into electricity. Learn more about the origin, characteristics, and benefits as well as the many areas of application for biochar.
Biochar
Natural substance with potential
Biochar is a porous, carbon-rich solid produced through the pyrolysis of plant biomass. In this process, organic materials such as wood residues, green waste, or agricultural by-products are heated in the absence of oxygen, preventing complete combustion. The result is a stable carbon compound with a large internal surface area and a high capacity for storing water and nutrients, making it a valuable material for various applications. Today, biochar is primarily used for soil improvement, where it enhances soil structure, supports humus formation, and reduces nutrient loss.
Origin
We source EBC-certified biochar from both national and international suppliers, ensuring the highest quality standards are met. The European Biochar Certificate is a recognised standard for biochar, guaranteeing that its production and use are environmentally sustainable, climate-friendly, and safe. Through certified processes, the EBC ensures long-term carbon storage, promotes a sustainable circular economy, and enhances soil fertility.
Characteristics
Indigenous peoples in South America recognised the promising properties of this natural material and its impact on soil quality over 2,000 years ago. Thanks to its porous structure, biochar permanently improves the soil’s water retention capacity. In addition, its surface characteristics allow nutrients and trace elements to be retained for longer, reducing nutrient leaching. Its thermal stability and high adsorption capacity also make biochar useful in other areas, such as wastewater treatment, air purification, and animal husbandry. Due to its diverse properties, biochar makes a valuable contribution to more sustainable resource use across a wide range of applications.
Benefits
The benefits of biochar go far beyond its physical properties and have direct, practical relevance. For example, businesses and farmers can reduce operating costs by decreasing the need for additional fertilisers while simultaneously improving yield stability. The use of biochar helps optimise processes, as it aids in wastewater treatment and serves as an additive in construction materials, reducing pollutant emissions. In industrial processes, its use enables more efficient resource utilisation and lowers the ecological footprint.
Areas of Application
From Agriculture to Industry
Agriculture/Horticulture
In agriculture and horticulture, biochar is primarily used for soil improvement. It enhances soil structure, increases water retention, and reduces nutrient loss. When combined with organic materials, it supports humus formation, creating long-term fertile and resilient soils. This results in stable yields and more efficient fertiliser use – all in line with sustainable farming practices. Additionally, biochar is used in peat-free substrates, including in earth works, to optimise the water retention and structure of planting soils. In livestock farming, it improves the stable climate as bedding. It also helps to bind nutrients and reduce emissions when added to manure.
Industry
In the steel and metal industry, biochar is increasingly being used as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil carbon sources such as coke. It can serve as a reductant in various processes, such as during the sintering of iron ore or in composite pellets for direct reduction processes. In doing so, it helps reduce CO₂ emissions and improves the carbon footprint of steel products. With a high calorific value, good energy conversion, and appropriate processing, biochar can be used effectively in technical applications, such as an alternative fuel in blast furnaces. The key to this application is the targeted selection and processing of biochar to meet industrial requirements.
Biogas plant
Biochar can specifically support the fermentation process in biogas plants and increase efficiency. As a carrier material for microorganisms, it promotes methane formation while also binding inhibitors such as ammonia or heavy metals. This can increase biogas yields by up to 20 percent. Biogas char stabilises the fermentation process, replaces costly additives, and improves the quality of the digestate, which can subsequently be used as a high-quality fertiliser. Additionally, the use of biochar contributes to long-term carbon sequestration.
Construction
Biochar also offers promising applications in the construction sector. In concrete and cement mixtures, it can help reduce the cement content, thereby improving the CO₂ footprint without significantly affecting the material properties. Due to its porous structure, it acts as a moisture regulator, which can positively impact the durability of construction materials. In asphalt mixtures, biochar serves as a filler to enhance thermal and mechanical properties. In addition to these technical benefits, its use also supports the goal of replacing fossil raw materials with biogenic ones – a valuable contribution to the decarbonisation of the construction industry.
Urban applications
In urban areas, biochar is used in green spaces, parks, and rooftop gardens to make soils more climate-resilient. It helps to better retain rainwater, reduce evaporation, and bind pollutants – a significant advantage for heavily burdened urban soils. Biochar also contributes to the healthy growth of plants in infrastructure greening projects or urban tree care, supporting long-term plant vitality.
Water and Gas Purification
Biochar is an excellent filter material and can replace fossil-based activated carbon in many applications. It is used, for example, in drinking water purification, wastewater treatment, and air filtration. In addition to its strong adsorption capacity, biochar stands out due to its biological origin and the possibility of material recycling
after use.