About
Bio-oil is another co-product of biochar creation through the pyrolysis of biomass. Bio-oil is a very diverse and flexible product with a range of sustainable applications from agriculture, to the built environment, right through to heavy industrial uses.
Agriculture
As an input for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, bio-oil has shown great promise as a soil amendment, helping to increase the soil carbon content and showing signs of performing in a similar way to humin/humic acid, helping the soil with nutrient absorbance by improving cation exchange. Bio-oil has also shown great promise as a binder for granules/pellets, improving strength and integrity, and can be ‘pre-loaded’ or infused with nutrients further enhancing long-term soil health and fertility.
Built Environment/Construction
Bio-oil can potentially be processed and blended with traditional bitumen as an asphalt binder, combining with polymers to create enhanced performance.
Bio-oil also rejuvenates and enhances the performance of aged asphalt, restoring its original properties and extending its lifespan. Using bio-oil reduces reliance on non-renewable petroleum resources, therefore lowering the carbon footprint of road construction projects.
Industrial
Bio-oil has endless potential as a key sustainable input and/or substitute for fossil fuel-based inputs.
For example, bio-oil can be used or processed to perform as:
- a fuel, a heat source, energy (peaking power)
- a substitute for chemical manufacturing
- a substitute for metallurgical coke
- a binder, including for high quality activated carbon materials (electrodes)