What is ‘the best’ biochar?

The script begins with an introduction to the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) webinar by Caroline P. She greets participants and ensures that everyone can hear and see the presentation. Caroline highlights the webinar's recording and its subsequent availability, and introduces the moderator, James Picksail. James then provides an overview of the IBI, discussing its membership, objectives, and recent accomplishments, including a significant grant from the Woker Foundation. He emphasizes the importance of biochar in sustainable industries and mentions the recruitment of an executive director to lead the IBI into its next phase.

The second paragraph delves into the functionality of biochar, with James introducing Akio, an expert from the Lehman Lab at Cornell University. Akio discusses the characteristics that make one biochar more effective than another, the ideal feedstocks, and the technical standards that ensure permanence. He emphasizes that the best biochar is contingent upon the intended use and local environmental conditions. Akio also explains the process of pyrolysis and how it affects the properties of biochar, including the impact of different heating rates and temperatures on the end product.

In this section, Akio continues his discussion on biochar by outlining its physical and chemical properties as defined by the IBI and EBC biochar material standards. He explains the significance of these properties in determining biochar's long-term behavior, such as stability and toxicity. Akio also notes that biochar's properties can change over time, affecting its performance in applications. The paragraph concludes with a call for questions from the audience, relevant to the topic, to be addressed by the panel.

Akio focuses on the critical topic of toxic content in biochar, explaining that it is a go or no-go criterion, particularly for contaminants that pose a risk when incorporated into soil. He details the various types of toxicants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, and their potential long-term effects. Akio also discusses the challenges in removing these toxicants once they are in the soil, highlighting the importance of biochar's safety for soil applications.

The paragraph discusses the concept of carbon stability in biochar, which is fundamental to its effectiveness. Akio explains how carbon stability can be estimated from the organic carbon content and the pyrolysis temperature regime. He also touches on agronomic properties such as pH, lime equivalents, and available nutrients, which are important for plant growth and soil health. Akio emphasizes the importance of these properties in determining the suitability of biochar for specific agricultural applications.

This section explores the intriguing characteristics of biochar's surface properties, which play a crucial role in its activity. Akio explains how surface area, quality, particle size distribution, and internal pore structure contribute to biochar's ability to adsorb nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants. He also discusses how these properties can affect soil water holding capacity and provide habitat for soil microbes, ultimately influencing the performance of biochar in various applications.

Akio addresses the question of what constitutes the 'best' biochar, likening it to asking about the best color. He explains that the best biochar depends on the intended application, whether it be carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, fertilizer enhancement, or other uses. Akio outlines the ideal characteristics of biochar for various purposes, such as high cation exchange capacity for nutrient retention or a high concentration of surface functionalities for heavy metal absorption.

The focus shifts to the introduction of a known global biochar producer, CarbonFX, with Sampo providing an overview. He discusses the company's history, its focus on CO2 removal, and its role in developing the biochar market. Sampo also highlights the company's technology and its ability to produce biochar from wood-based feedstock, emphasizing the importance of using only thinnings and small diameter wood to avoid deforestation.

Sampo provides a detailed look at CarbonFX's biochar production process, which includes the use of wood-based feedstock with low ash content. He explains the pyrolysis process, which operates at temperatures around 650 degrees Celsius and results in a high surface area biochar with low carbon yield. Sampo also discusses the biochar's high electrical conductivity and the company's focus on CO2 removal, which is central to their business model.

The conversation turns to the market dynamics of biochar sales, with a focus on the importance of understanding customer needs and the application of biochar. Panelists discuss the challenges of selling biochar based on weight or volume and the need to adapt to different market requirements. The discussion highlights the importance of safety, logistics, and budget in the commercialization of biochar.

In the final segment, the panelists offer their closing thoughts and comments on the biochar industry. They emphasize the importance of testing, transparency, safety, and the need to understand the specific requirements of different applications. The panel also expresses excitement about the growth and potential of the biochar industry, looking forward to future developments and applications.