Market prospects for biochar production and application in California

Abstract

The state of California could play an important role in emerging markets for biochar, due in part to the availability of low‐value biomass resources and their potential for use in agriculture sector. In this study, we assess the scale of production and use, and comment on potential markets for biochar in California. We explore various sectors for the application of biochar produced from local biomass using surveys and a market‐sizing approach. A market‐oriented approach for biochar innovation and the ecosystem around a biochar producer is also discussed. Next, we identify barriers to biochar market success in the present and the near future based on a survey of local producers. Among the barriers analyzed, access to capital investment for scale‐up is the biggest barrier experienced by a majority of producers, followed by market and demand. When grouped under different categories, the extent of barriers decreased in the order: market > scale‐up > technical > socio‐political > environmental. Most producers anticipate that revenues from carbon offset credits would help them scale up their facilities and expand the biochar market. In the near future, soil‐based applications of biochar could be the most likely market for biochar, followed by filtration, livestock feed, and manure management. As the industry evolves, rewarding carbon credits, increasing awareness and improving production processes are expected to help commercialize biochar. Finally, we offer recommendations to promote the growth of biochar in California. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Circular utilization of urban tree waste contributes to the mitigation of climate change and eutrophication

“…Biochar has a growing market, especially for biochar made from low-value biomass. 63 Landfilling urban tree wastes leads to significant environmental burdens, primarily due to the CH 4 emissions in landfill gas and NH 4 + to water.…”

Biochar Production Technologies from Agricultural Waste, Its Utilization in Agriculture and Current Global Biochar Market: A Comprehensive Review

“… Grinding-The size of the biochar is important for the final application. In order to achieve the desired size, size reductio may be required, in which grinding operations are carried out [105].  Densification-Densification is required to increase the density of biochar, for rase of storage and transportation purpose biochar densification is important.…”

“… Densification-Densification is required to increase the density of biochar, for rase of storage and transportation purpose biochar densification is important. Biochar densified into briquettes or pallets and it can be used for combustion fuel [105].  Activation-It the process in which the surface area and the porosity of the char is increased in order to use biochar as absorbent material [105].…”

“…Biochar densified into briquettes or pallets and it can be used for combustion fuel [105].  Activation-It the process in which the surface area and the porosity of the char is increased in order to use biochar as absorbent material [105].  Blending-Blending is the process in which biochar is added to various chemicals and fertilisers for increasing its characteristics and application efficiency [43].…”

Perspectives of Engineered Biochar for Environmental Applications: A Review

“…5 Projected growth for the global biochar market industry is expected to be 13%−17% between 2019 and 2025. 6 Although global warming is perhaps the best example of the environmental crisis facing our planet, ecological challenges are growing everywhere (e.g., number of species to go extinct, huge areas of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico no longer able to support sea life due to eutrophication, reductions in soil fertility, limited space for solid waste disposal, increase in the number and intensity of forest fires, and heavy metals in drinking water). 7 For over three billion years, photosynthesis has played a critical role as part of the C cycle controlling the content of CO 2 and O 2 in our atmosphere.…”