MASH Makes and DS NORDEN have completed the world’s first commercial vessel trial using a biofuel derived from a carbon-negative process. Central to this achievement is biochar—a stable, carbon-rich byproduct that gives the fuel its climate benefit.

During a roundtrip voyage from Singapore to Brazil, the vessel ran its auxiliary engine on 65 tonnes of blended fuel, including 20% MASH Makes biofuel. The test confirmed that the fuel performs well in existing marine systems without the need for retrofitting.

The key climate differentiator lies in how the biofuel is produced. Through 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, MASH Makes converts agricultural residues into renewable energy and 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. For every tonne of biofuel generated, 1.8 tonnes of biochar are also produced. This biochar is applied to soil, where it permanently sequesters carbon—locking away 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne. As a result, each tonne of MASH Makes biofuel contributes to 5.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide removal.

Unlike emerging fuels that require new infrastructure, this biofuel offers a ready-to-deploy option for shipping. It meets ISO8217 standards and blends easily with marine fuels like MGO and VLSFO.

MASH Makes is collaborating with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to validate its emissions accounting and further demonstrate the role of biochar in maritime decarbonisation.

With one plant in India already operating and a second underway to triple output, MASH Makes is building toward a goal of removing over one gigatonne of CO₂ by 2040—powered in part by the carbon-storing potential of biochar.