Carboliva are deeply rooted in Spain’s olive oil heritage through the Espuny family’s five-generation involvement. They have emerged as a significant player in the biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More sector, reporting a substantial annual production volume of 5,000 tonnes of biochar derived from olive pulp and stone feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More. This volume roughly translates into an impressive carbon removal potential of around 10,000 to 12,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), underscoring the significant environmental impact achievable through this specific valorisation pathway.

Unlocking Carbon Value: A Strategic Approach to Credits and Product Placement

Accessing carbon markets with such a substantial volume of potential carbon removals is a key strategic focus. Álvaro Espuny, Sales and Marketing Manager at Carboliva, highlights strong interest from potential buyers, stating, “We have many interested parties interested in buying the carbon rights we generate, and we are about to sign a major transaction for delivery in 2025 to 2027.” Whilst not giving too much away, this indicates there is a robust demand for high-quality carbon removal credits for projects at this scale.

However, he also articulated a pragmatic approach to market engagement, noting a potentially problematic paradigm, “We have no shortage of buyers of rights, but we would not like to continue selling until we are sure that we will be able to sell the [physical] biochar we produce”. At the same time as the sale of carbon credits is lucrative today, Carboliva also recognizes that the future of the market is unknown, and so view it as important to establishment stable, long-term markets for the physical biochar product itself. Álvaro notes that the company could theoretically produce an additional 10,000tm/year with another large dryer, but scaling too fast without definite offloaders is a key consideration biochar producers must be aware of as they grow.

Carboliva has attracted significant attention, particularly from “a major British investment fund who have offices in several countries, including Spain.” This interest from institutional investors helps to validate the commercial viability and growth potential perceived within the olive-derived biochar sector.

The Olive Advantage: A Deliberate Feedstock Choice

Carboliva’s decision to exclusively work with olive pulp and stones as feedstock is a testament to both historical legacy and a calculated strategic advantage. The Espuny family’s deep-seated expertise in the olive oil sector, including the valorization of olive by-products, naturally led them to this resource. Beyond tradition, the abundance of this specific biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More in Spain is a critical factor. The country produced more than six million tons of wet pomace this year, which, after drying and the extraction of olive pomace oil, yields two million tons of pulp and stone. This sheer volume ensures a consistent and readily available supply, minimizing feedstock sourcing challenges that can often plague biochar operations.

The choice of olive pulp (orujillo) and stone is also underpinned by a deliberate scientific and technological rationale. The traditional method of disposing of olive pulp involves burning it in ovens to generate heat for pomace dryers. However, this process is fraught with environmental challenges, primarily the emission of fine ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More particles that are difficult to purify without costly and energy-intensive electrostatic precipitators or natural gas cogeneration.

Carboliva’s innovation lies in replacing these traditional combustion methods with pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More. Álvaro explains, “Pyrolysis heats the biomass indirectly, through steel, dissociating it into biochar and syngasSyngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It is produced during gasification and can be used as a fuel source or as a feedstock for producing other chemicals and fuels.   More which is extracted, burned in a combustor and transformed into clean thermal energy for the process itself and for the Coosur process.” This indirect heating mechanism is a game-changer, as it significantly reduces particulate emissions, offering a cleaner thermal energy solution. Furthermore, the pulp, being a by-product of a standardized drying and oil extraction process, exhibits a consistent composition regardless of olive variety, and its concentration at the approximately 50 pomace extractors (which process the output from 1,800 oil mills) simplifies logistics and ensures a reliable, year-round supply.

Streamlined Processing and Environmental Compliance

A key operational advantage highlighted by Carboliva is the inherent moisture content of their feedstock. “We do not have to dry because the pulp already comes with 10-12% moisture when it leaves the oil extraction,” Álvaro stated. This eliminates a significant energy/time-intensive step often required in biochar production, contributing to overall process efficiency and a lower operational carbon footprint.

Carboliva operates as an energy services company, forming agreements with pomace dryer owners to integrate their pyrolysis ovens as replacements for traditional systems. This model ensures a guaranteed supply of feedstock while simultaneously providing a cleaner energy solution for the olive oil industry. The company is also proactively addressing future environmental regulations, aiming to meet stringent emission standards. They guarantee the same particle content as pomace drying with cogeneration (50 mg/Nm3), which is the target the EU, through MITECO, is set to mandate for all pomace dryers by 2030 at the latest. This forward-thinking approach positions Carboliva as a compliant and environmentally responsible partner within the olive processing value chain. It is also a reason that olive oil waste is so interesting as a Biochar feedstock: it has a very homogenous water content, which makes the pyrolysis process consistent and predictable.

Biochar in the Mediterranean: Cultivating Soil Health and New Markets

The agricultural benefits of biochar, particularly in the Mediterranean climate, are profound and directly address pressing environmental challenges. Biochar’s ability to retain water and nutrients in the root environment, preventing leachingLeaching is the process where nutrients are dissolved and carried away from the soil by water. This can lead to nutrient depletion and environmental pollution. Biochar can help reduce leaching by improving nutrient retention in the soil.   More and evaporation losses, is invaluable in regions prone to water scarcity. Beyond water management, it plays a crucial role in restoring soil fertility by fostering the development of soil microbiota, offering them a protective refuge against heat, drought, and herbicides. This aligns perfectly with the principles of regenerative agriculture, a movement gaining critical traction in areas highly threatened by desertification, such as the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. European initiatives like Soil O-live and Resioliva are actively demonstrating biochar’s efficacy in this context.

Despite these clear benefits, biochar has historically struggled to achieve widespread adoption in Southern Europe compared to other regions like Northern Europe and North America. This could be attributed to a combination of factors, including traditional agricultural practices, lack of awareness, or economic barriers. However, Carboliva is actively working to change this narrative, emphasizing the necessity of returning carbon to agricultural soils and leveraging the carbon rights generated by biochar to meet growing market demand.

Beyond agriculture, Carboliva has identified a significant and rapidly expanding industrial application for their olive stone biochar: its use as a foaming agent in electric arc steel mills within the EU. Álvaro reported “excellent results” and highlighted the strong market interest in replacing traditional anthracite with biochar to reduce carbon allowances and decarbonize steel production. This dual market strategy—targeting both agricultural soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More and industrial applications—provides a robust and diversified revenue stream, enhancing the overall economic viability of their biochar operations.

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Market Balancing: Carboliva generates a significant volume of carbon credits but is strategically balancing their sale with the need to build a stable market for the physical biochar product. This ensures long-term sustainability beyond just carbon markets.
2. The Olive Advantage: Using olive pulp and stones as feedstock is a key advantage. Spain’s olive oil industry provides an abundant, consistent supply, while the material’s uniform composition and low moisture streamline the efficient pyrolysis process.
3. Operational Efficiency and Compliance: Carboliva’s innovative pyrolysis technology produces clean energy and eliminates a major energy-intensive drying step. The process is highly efficient and already meets future environmental emission standards.
4. Diversified Market Strategy: Carboliva’s dual-market strategy targets both agricultural soil amendment in the Mediterranean and a high-value industrial application as a foaming agent for decarbonizing European steel mills. This provides a robust and diversified revenue stream.