About
Biochar has been called ‘carbon removal’s jack of all trades‘, highlighting its enormous diversity and application. There are more than 50 known applications for biochar!
Biochar is a very high carbon material produced from the pyrolysis of a biomass feedstock, trapping the carbon contained in the feedstock in a safe and stable manner.
Renergi’s groundbreaking patented technology manufactures biochar in the Southwest of Western Australia from agricultural and forestry waste residue feedstocks and municipal solid wastes, producing biochars ideal for a range of applications Australia wide.
Agricultural Biochar
Biochar is a game-changer for sustainable, regenerative agriculture, enhancing soil health and boosting crop productivity and yields.
Biochar is the ultimate soil amendment. Biochar has an extremely high surface area and great porosity, making its composition like a sponge, drawing in and slowly releasing nutrients and water, housing and enhancing microbial life while providing protection from potential contaminants.
Best of all, biochar’s benefits intensify over time, making it the single best tool for improving long-term soil health and fertility for the ultimate thriving ‘living soil’!
Improves Soil Fertility
Biochar enhances nutrient density and availability in soils, which can lead to increased crop yields.
Enhances Water Retention
It holds between 2x and 3x its weight improving the soil’s water-holding capacity, making it particularly beneficial in drought-prone areas. Moreover, the chance of waterlogging is reduced due to the large ‘honeycomb-like’ surface area providing plenty of airspaces.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Biochar application decreases the emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) from soils.
Regulates Soil pH
Depending on application, biochar acts as a liming agent, reducing soil acidity and improving conditions for plant growth.
Boosts Soil Microbiota
Biochar supports beneficial soil microorganisms, which play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and plant health.
Reduces Fertiliser Requirements
By drawing in and keeping nutrients within its porous structure, biochar reduces nutrient runoff and the overall need for fertiliser application, which is particularly important to sustainability when reducing the use of chemical fertilisers.
Mitigates Soil Pollution
Helps reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals and other pollutants in the soil.
Carbon Sequestration
Biochar removes/sequesters CO2 by adding stable pure carbon to the soil for 1000s of years simultaneously to its contribution to sustainable agricultural practices.
Biochar for Built-Environment /
Non-Agricultural Applications
Biochar versitility makes it a great input and amendment for a wide range of applications in the built-environment.
From assisting plant growth in overly sandy or contaminated roadside vegetation/landscaping areas while also lowering the carbon footprint of a project, right through to blending directly into construction materials such as concrete for an improved and lower-emission end product.
Enhanced Material Properties
When incorporated into construction materials like concrete and asphalt, biochar improves mechanical properties by increasing stiffness, reducing deformation, and enhancing resistance to moisture damage, fatigue cracking, and rutting.
Insulating Properties
The porous structure helps maintain optimal temperatures inside buildings reducing energy bills for heating/cooling and reducing noise. For roads, it regulates road surface temperatures to extend lifespan.
Soil Revitalisation
Perfect for bringing overly sandy, dry, salt-affected, or contaminated soils back to health, building carbon, microbial life and retaining moisture
Pollution Mitigation
Absorbs pollutants and heavy metals helping to purify urban runoff and contamination to the nearby environment - perfect for roads and storm/wastewater treatment.
Odour Mitigation
Biochar helps in reducing odours associated with wastewater treatment by adsorbing volatile organic compounds and other odour-causing substances.
Carbon Sequestration
Removes/stores atmospheric carbon safely within the material. and vegetables