Biochar - Keystone Species of the Bio-Based Economy

Biochar is charcoal or high-carbon, the fine-grained residue produced via pyrolysis. Biochar is used as a soil conditioner and fed to animals. Biochar is a stable solid rich in carbon and can abide in soil for thousands of years. Biochar offers multiple soil health benefits. It promotes good soil and plants health. Biochar reduces leaching of E-coli through sandy soils depending on application rate, feedstock, pyrolysis temperature (i.e. 300-700C), soil moisture content, soil texture, and surface properties of the bacteria. Biochar can improve yield for plants that require high potash and elevated pH. Biochar can enhance water quality reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases, nutrient leaching, soil acidity, irrigation and fertilizer requirements. Under certain circumstances, biochar induces plant systemic responses to foliar fungal diseases and improves plant responses to infections caused by soil-borne pathogens. These associated benefits of biochar bolstered the demand for biochar in the agriculture industry.

The Climate Hubs (the U.S Department of Agriculture) has established an online platform, 'The Pacific Northwest Biochar Atlas’, that helps users choose biochar to suit soil health goals. In addition, the Atlas provides details about the benefits of biochar, a dozen example operations implementing biochar across the region, and a map of biochar producers to simplify access for interested producers. These and other Atlas features help improve information exchange, continuing education, and biochar accessibility for the Northwest of farmers. Hence the agriculture industry’s demand for biochar and driving the global biochar market.

Some of the major key players operating in the global biochar market include Airex Énergie Inc.; Genesis Industries; Carbon Gold Ltd; Black Owl Biochar; Biochar Now, LLC; Phoenix Energy; American BioChar Company; BioForceTech Corporation; Ecoera, and Pyropower. The major players in the biochar market are focusing on strategies such as research and development and new product development to increase the geographical presence and consumer base globally.

Based on derivative, the market is segmented into formaldehyde, acetic acid, methanol-to-olefins (MTO) / methanol-to-propylene (MTP), methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), methyl methacrylate (MMA), biodiesel (gasoline blending), dimethyl ether (DME), and others. In 2020, the formaldehyde segment accounted for the largest revenue share. Formaldehyde is a colorless poisonous gas synthesized through methanol oxidation. It is utilized as an antiseptic, histologic fixative, disinfectant, and general-purpose chemical reagent for laboratory applications. The segment's growth can be attributed to the increasing application of formaldehyde resins in the automotive industry. The resin is extensively used to manufacture the vehicle's interior molded and under-the-hood components to reduce weight and increase the vehicle's fuel efficiency.

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