Biochar is an inert residue created by heating organic material in a low oxygen environment during the process called pyrolysis. Heating organic material without oxygen in a process called pyrolysis thermo chemically transforms biomass into a stable char residue that resists decomposition, while also producing oil and gas. Example of biomass consist forest residues like branches, wood chips and yard clippings. Pyrolysis leaves behind gases and oils that can be combusted to create energy. The characteristic and proportion of oil, gas and char produced can be determined by temperature, feedstock and time of exposure in pyrolysis. This char portion created by the pyrolysis process is called Biochar which is used for agricultural amendment. Global market for Biochar is a niche market but is expected to grow in coming years on account of various agronomic benefits such as high fertility, improved soil quality and positive environmental effects. The market is at an introduction stage but with several demo projects and small scale production technologies it is expected to rise by 2021. The global biochar market can be segmented on the basis of application as agriculture, gardening and household. Biochar market can also be segmented on the basis of technology used for its production as Fast & Intermediate pyrolysis, slow pyrolysis, gasification and microwave pyrolysis.
One of the major drivers augmenting the global Biochar market is that it improves soil fertility. Biochar also help soil to retain its moisture content and improve nutrient availability and thus enhance soil productivity. Biochar could provide contribution to reduce global green house gas emissions. It sequesters carbon while generating renewable energy and reducing GHG emissions from waste decomposition and soils. Additionally, Biochar can also be used for capturing zinc, nitrogen, phosphorous and other metals in waste water systems.
Global biochar market is in its fledging stage and its segmentation based on various regions is done as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of the world. Europe promotes development of biochar industry on a large scale whereas in the US and Asia-Pacific regions the market is in its infancy. Biochar market in rest of the regions is restricted to medium or small scale production also there is hundreds of pilot projects planned to take at large scale in future. Some of the key players in the global Biochar market include British Biochar Foundation, Cool Planet Energy Systems Inc., Biochar Products, Inc., Blackcarbon, Diacarbon Energy Inc., Genesis Industries, The Biochar Company, Agri-Tech Producers LLC, Vega Biofuels Inc., Hawaii Biochar Products, Phoenix Energy and others.
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