Biochar is made when organic matter such as agricultural feedstocks, including animal manure, rice husks, peanut shell, corn stover, coffee grounds or forest waste smoulders in an oxygen-reduced environment rather than burns. This is termed pyrolysis. Due to the action of pyrolysis the char develops a large surface area similar to that created when carbon is activated. The particles of char produced this way are able to take up nutrients and water that might otherwise be washed away and lost to the plant's roots. The biochar captures about 50% of the carbon in the feedstock and can be used both as a soil amendment to improve soil fertility, stability and productivity as the char particles become homes to populations of micro-organisms and to store carbon in the soils as a means of mitigating global warming. The addition of char to the soil can increase crop yields, reduce the amount of fertilisers required and also prevent leaching. Our biochar holds up to six times its own weight in water.

Australian Biochars currently supplies biochar manufactured in a modern, clean-burning plant in South East Asia. Should you have a sufficient supply of biomass we will be happy to consult with you on the installation of your own, modern, biochar plant.