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 industry has gained momentum as a sustainable solution to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce agricultural waste. Yet, despite its potential, the industry faces significant hurdles that slow its growth and adoption.
We asked our readers for their thoughts on the biggest challenges facing the Biochar industry today. Here are a few of the top responses.
Awareness
Lack of understanding and awareness about biochar as the main obstacle to industry growth. Clear, trustworthy, and accessible information is a key factor influencing decisions to support or invest in biochar projects.
Luisa Marin, Executive Director, International Biochar Initiative
Despite the numerous benefits that biochar brings to our soils, many of us find comfort in the familiar routine of using traditional fertilizers and other soil enrichment techniques. However, with more engagement in awareness-raising activities and proven practices showing the magnificent effect biochar on soil, there’s hope. We can surely envision a future where sustainable growth is with the application of biochar
Selam Tefera, Online Teacher, STI/Paper Airplanes
The potential of biochar has not yet been widely recognized by stakeholders, such as farmers, investors, and policymakers. Synchronicity is a must. If everyone in this chain takes the necessary actions, the biochar industry will move in a more positive direction.
Stella Cheng, Co-founder & Chairman, HaiQi New Energy Group
Quality and Standards
Perhaps the greatestat present is the lack of a suitable quality standard for biochar produced from domestic green waste. Compost produced from green waste has the PAS100 standard which then means it is classed as ‘end-of-waste’ and it can be applied to farmland. But biochar produced from the same domestic green waste, even if tested to be high quality, is still classed as waste and can’t be applied to land.
Dan Wrench, Climate and Carbon Project Officer, Shropshire Council
I think the biggest barrier to biochar industry growth is its perception as a niche or experimental product, compounded by challenges in large-scale production, standardization, and application knowledge. Many associate biochar with backyard enthusiasts rather than a scalable, proven solution, while inconsistent quality and unclear guidelines hinder broader adoption. To overcome this, the industry needs to focus on education, standardized production, and demonstrating its value in agriculture and climate solutions. Building trust, improving accessibility, and integrating biochar into carbon markets and mainstream practices are essential for unlocking its potential.
Mark Garvin, Landscape Consultant, Sanctuary Residential Resort Community
Markets
The biggest barrier I see is creating so much product across the board without a strong end use market. Not all Biochar is the same and without proper markets and products we will have stockpiles.
Ryan Ramage, Owner, Valley Environmental
Very few want to buy wheat grains, a little more want to buy flour. At the same time, sales of wheat grains and flour are huge. Why? The reason is that wheat grains and flour are not yet a product that most people are interested in using. On the other hand, a loaf of bread, croissants, and hot rolls are snatched up as if they were hot rolls… Biochar is a bit like flour. It needs a few more steps to be a ready-to-use product that successfully replaces a similar product. We, the Biochar producers, have to go the extra mile for our customers so that our Biochar products are snatched up like hot rolls off the shelf.
Nadav Ziv, CEO, Earth Biochar
Investment
A major challenge is access to scalable funding and financing mechanisms for early-stage biochar projects. Developers often face difficulties securing the capital needed to establish facilities and scale production, even with promising carbon removal potential.
Tim de Rosen, CEO, Renu Earth, Inc
An industry focus on the exact product it can make and the ROI for investing capital for manufacture and market sales data to calculate profit potential.
Policy
The single largest barrier to biochar is financial support and government policy requiring all agricultural farms and local councils to use a minimum if 30-50% biochar in all land conditioning and publish the results of the success.
Danny B, Director of Operational, PT.Sumber Pratama Bioenergy
Research
Research on application of biochar on produce (yield apart from soc), data on diverse 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, production technologies, diversification of buyers of BCR credits.
Aishwarya Vinay Kumar, Co-founder, Deep Carbon Africa Pvt
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