Biochar is a charcoal-looking, carbon-rich substance that is produced by heating organic materials, such as wood, crop residues, or manure – a process called pyrolysis.

The term ‘biochar’ can describe any organic material that has been carbonised under high temperatures (300-800°C) in the presence of little or no oxygen. The process results in a stable, carbon-rich material that can be safely stored for hundreds to thousands of years.

Because it can be made from almost any type of biomass – including waste materials – biochar is recognised for its potential environmental benefits, particularly in soil health and carbon sequestration.

By soaking it in nutrient-rich solutions or combining it with compost, manure, or other organic fertilisers, biochar can be ‘charged’ with nutrients. The charged biochar can then release those nutrients slowly into the soil, acting like a controlled-release fertiliser. This ‘circular’, or zero-carbon fertiliser boosts soil health, improving soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity.

Further, the production of biochar also sequesters carbon from organic materials, reducing overall carbon emissions. When biochar is used in fertilisers, it can offset the carbon emissions typically associated with synthetic fertilisers. This makes the fertiliser system more sustainable and potentially carbon-neutral.

Biochar is a great example of human engineering and nature working together to store carbon. It is a stable solution that can be circular. While accessibility of biomass is a limiting factor, current agricultural systems produce many excess products, making biochar highly scalable

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Unlike conventional forms of organic matter (such as garden compost), biochar takes a very long time to decompose. The decomposition process can take centuries – even millennia. This means that biochar has great potential to store carbon in the soil, helping to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and mitigate climate change.

In addition to this, there are many other key benefits of biochar production that support the fight against climate change. These include:

• Soil health improvement: Biochar application enhances soil fertility by retaining nutrients and water, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers. It also provides a habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms that contribute to nutrient cycling and plant health, and its porous nature helps improve soil structure, increasing aeration and water infiltration.
• Water retention: The porous structure of biochar enables it to retain water, making it particularly useful in arid and drought-prone regions. 
• Reduction of greenhouse gasses: When added to soil, biochar can reduce emissions of nitrous oxide by improving soil conditions and reducing the need for fertilisers.
• Pollution remediation: Biochar can absorb heavy metals and organic pollutants from soil and water, helping to remediate contaminated environments.
• Energy production: During the pyrolysis process, gasses and oils are also produced. These can be used as biofuels, providing an additional source of energy in the process.

Artisanal vs industrial biochar – what is the difference?

Biochar production can vary depending on the scale and methods used. The primary differences between artisanal and industrial biochar lie in the following four areas:

1. Production methods: Artisanal biochar can be made from a wide range of feedstock waste, but is typically made from locally available organic materials and produced on a smaller scale using accessible, low-tech methods and lower temperatures. Industrial biochar can also be made from a wide range of feedstocks, including agricultural waste and industrial byproducts, and is produced on a much larger scale using higher temperatures and often industrial byproducts.
2. Quality control: Artisanal biochar production can have varying pyrolysis conditions, which can lead to slightly shorter or more variable storage times. Industrial biochar is typically tested and certified to meet specific standards or regulatory requirements and tends to be more reliable for commercial applications.
3. Scale and cost: Due to its small-scale nature, artisanal biochar production is limited and might not meet the demands of large agricultural or industrial projects. However, it can also be less expensive to produce. Industrial production can produce large quantities of biochar to meet commercial demands. However, it requires advanced technology and infrastructure and can therefore be more expensive. 
4. Environmental impact: Artisanal biochar is typically produced on a smaller scale using local materials, which can potentially lead to a lower carbon footprint. The production technologies used in industrial biochar production often include emission controls, reducing the environmental impact of the production process. 

In short, both artisanal and industrial biochar typically use locally available organic matter and a wide range of feedstock waste. However, artisanal biochar is more locally orientated and produced on a smaller scale. It is made using lower temperatures it can also be more sustainable and accessible to small farmers and communities.

Industrial biochar, on the other hand, is produced on a larger scale, ensuring large quantities for commercial and industrial use. However, its production also requires significant investment and infrastructure.

Overall, by enhancing soil health, sequestering carbon, and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, biochar offers many environmental benefits, making it an important asset in the fight against climate change and a key resource on the road towards net zero.