B10 Char, a South African startup founded by commodities traders Tobias Munk and Philip Edmonds, is set to launch the country’s first large-scale biochar production facility in the first quarter of 2025.
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The facility, located on a four-hectare site in a rural area, will process over 22,000 tonnes of organic waste annually, converting it into approximately 7,000 tonnes of high-quality biochar.
Biochar, produced through a process similar to charcoal production, involves heating organic waste such as food scraps, agricultural residues, and animal waste in an oxygen-deprived environment. This process not only creates a valuable soil amendment with significant water and nutrient retention properties but also sequesters carbon, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our aim is to establish B10 Char as a leading producer of high-quality biochar,” said B10. “We believe biochar is a crucial solution for addressing climate change and enhancing agricultural productivity.”
B10 Char will offer its biochar to farmers and the agricultural industry in both raw and “pre-charged” formats. The company plans to incentivize early adoption by offering attractive incentives to farmers to experience the benefits of biochar firsthand.
The production process will utilize advanced, fully-automated continuous kilns, ensuring efficient and sustainable biochar production.
Beyond environmental benefits, B10 Char’s facility will also contribute to local economic development by creating jobs and revitalizing the local community.