Biochar–What is it all about?

It appears black and unremarkable on the outside. However, its vast internal surface area and porous structure make it unique and valuable in many areas. Biochar is produced from plant-based biomass, such as that generated in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, and municipalities. At high temperatures and with limited oxygen, materials like wood, hedge clippings, tree trimmings, grass cuttings, and even grain husks are carbonized. This pyrolysis process can be applied in any garden, for example, using a soil pit, or for industrial use in large-scale plants. In addition to its material applications, which improve properties like soil quality or construction materials, biochar offers further benefits. Its production generates renewable energy (details in German) in the form of heat, which can be used as process heat and additionally converted into electricity. This makes biochar production a contributor to decarbonization. Depending on its application, biochar also serves as a permanent carbon sink (details in German), as it removes carbon from the cycle that would otherwise be released through the decay or combustion of the biomass. Alternatively, biochar can replace fossil carbon-containing materials like lignite/coal or activated carbon, contributing to defossilization.
FAQ Biochar

Applications of Biochar

While fossil coal is primarily used as a fuel, biochar is used as a solid additive for fertile soils, in animal husbandry, as a filter, and in many other applications. The carbon contained in biochar is permanently removed from the atmosphere – a significant opportunity in the fight against climate change.

Versatile in use, impressive in its impact

Pflanzenkohle im Weinbau

Agriculture

Example Applications: Fertilizer additive, feed supplement

Benefits/Potential: build up of soil organic matter, reduction of nitrous oxide emissions, groundwater & soil quality, (e.g., PFAS binding)

Additional Benefits: increased water retention capacity, soil fertility, preservation of biodiversity

First Projects in Germany: Large product portfolio available, EU: EIT-Food, Project Black to the Future

More (German)

Urban Applications

Example Applications: City trees, Sponge city concepts

Benefits/Potential: Climate resilience, urban greenery, heavy rain management

Additional Benefits: Cooling effect, biodiversity, wastewater filtration

First Projects in Germany: Darmstadt, Magdeburg

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Construction

Example Applications: Aggregate for asphalt, cement

Benefits/Potential: CO₂-neutral building materials, metallurgy (bridge technology for H₂)

Additional Benefits: Weight advantages, insulation properties, electrical conductivity

First Projects in Germany: Currently only in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria

More (German)
Foto von Pflanzenkohlestück

 
Industry

Example Applications: Biogenic carbons

Benefits/Potential: Replacement of fossil carbon, insetting Scope 3

Additional Benefits: Closing material cycles

First Projects in Germany: ThyssenKrupp RotheErde, Barry Callebaut

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Production: Raw Materials and Technologies

Raw Materials

Biochar is made from renewable raw materials, such as wood or plant residues like hedge trimmings, leaves, or green waste. The quality of the raw materials, along with the process parameters used during the biochar production, is crucial for determining the quality of the biochar. Therefore, the input materials must be strictly monitored, particularly for contaminants. From a sustainability perspective, it is also important to ensure that the raw materials come from the local area and are sourced through sustainable practices. All necessary requirements are ensured by the EBC (European Biochar Certificate), which also provides a positive list of approved raw materials.

Technologies

Manual Systems

Manual systems allow for the production of safe and high-quality biochar with relatively low investment, however, a certain level of expertise is required. Manual systems can be considered a bridging technology until more affordable, controlled pyrolysis plants become widely available.

Learn more (German)
Industrial Production Systems

Automated large-scale systems are suitable for farmers, municipalities, and other biochar users at an industrial scale, requiring minimal labor. These systems are equipped with certified exhaust systems. The oils produced in these systems can be captured and either used as material or for energy production.

Learn more (German)

Biochar Certifications

The raw material biochar can vary significantly depending on the biomass used as feedstock and the manufacturing conditions. To ensure consistently high quality of biochar, various certification options are available. The EBC Standard was developed to minimize risks associated with the use of biochar, particularly in agricultural applications, and to avoid negative environmental impacts from its production. It is a voluntary industry standard, and more information can be found, for example, in this lecture (in German). In addition to certifying the biochar feedstock itself, there are also certifications for the carbon sinks associated with the application of biochar, such as EBC Global Biochar/Artisan C-Sink or the Puro Standard. An overview of existing standards is provided by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). In addition to voluntary certifications, the production, application, or distribution of biochar in Germany requires other certifications, such as REACH and, if applicable, a CE certification.

German Biochar Guidelines for Biochar-Based Carbon Sink Certifications

The trade in carbon sink certificates is becoming increasingly important in the world of biochar. As a result, more and more certification systems are emerging on the market. But which of these certificates are truly scientifically robust and ecologically well-designed? To assess this and provide clarity in the market, German Biochar has developed guidelines to evaluate biochar-based carbon sink certificates as either recommended or not recommended. These guidelines are also intended to show certificate developers how good certification systems should be structured. It is important to note that German Biochar does not evaluate or audit individual companies but instead focuses solely on the certification systems themselves.
Guidelines as PDF (German)

Pilot Projects

Project ideas related to biochar are as diverse as biochar itself. Whether it’s concepts for municipalities, agriculture, or wastewater treatment plants – we are always here to support members and partners with expertise and action.

Modell Vertikale Klima-Kläranlage

Vertical Climate-Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wasserhyazinthen

Biochar from Water Hyacinths

Schaubild RUN

Closing Urban Nutrient and Resource Loops

Pyrolysis for Greenhouse Heating

Pyrolysis for Greenhouse Heating

Biochar in Dynamic Agroforestry

Biochar in Dynamic Agroforestry

Closing Material Cycles in Agricultural Operations

Closing Material Cycles in Agricultural Operations

Pyrolysis Plant for Urban Green Waste

Pyrolysis Plant for Urban Green Waste

Agro-Reforestation with Biochar

Agro-Reforestation with Biochar

Pflanzenkohle im Weinbau

Biochar in Viticulture

Biochar Map

On our Biochar Map, you will find all institutional members and the locations of private members of German Biochar e.V.

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Historical Background

2000 BC ⊙

A Process Up to 4000 Years Old

The indigenous people of South America have been producing Terra Preta in the Amazon region for centuries. This is a dark, humus- and nutrient-rich soil with high fertility. In this process, biochar plays a crucial role as it binds nutrients and microorganisms. This was particularly valuable to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, as nutrients were leached from the highly weathered soils and could hardly be retained.

Research Began in the 1990s

Soil scientists around the world have been studying the composition of Terra Preta and the mystery of its creation. Prof. Dr. Bruno Glaser and his team at the University of Bayreuth were able to demonstrate that Terra Preta was created by human hands. In 2006, the original process of Terra Preta production was successfully reconstructed. Additionally, a biotechnological method was developed to create “black earth,” whose genetic fingerprint and properties are similar to those of Terra Preta.
⊙ 1990
2010 ⊙

Biochar Becomes Pflanzenkohle

The English term “Biochar” has mostly been translated as “Biokohle” since 2009. To avoid confusion with organic-certified agricultural products, the neutral term “Pflanzenkohle” was established. Due to the search for solutions to the global climate crisis and food security, Pflanzenkohle is now receiving renewed attention.