CHAR Technologies has announced that construction at its Thorold Renewable Energy Facility is progressing as planned, with the goal of completing the commercial biocarbon production line by the end of 2025. This initial phase of development is foundational, positioning the facility to move into Phase 2, which will incorporate Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production in 2026.

Current work centers on the installation of the 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 handling system. Major structural components are complete, and the final outdoor conveyor installations are scheduled for October. This system is critical for ensuring the continuous, automated movement of wood waste 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 into the 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 unit.

The next major step involves the delivery and integration of the first commercial High Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) kiln. Once the kiln is connected to the completed feedstock system, the facility will be ready for the commercial production phase. CHAR Tech’s proprietary HTP technology processes unmerchantable organic wastes, simultaneously yielding two outputs: a 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 stream convertible into renewable fuels, and a solid biocarbon.

The resulting solid biocarbon product is engineered to function as a direct, carbon-neutral replacement for metallurgical coal in industrial steelmaking. The installation of the second HTP kiln is slated to occur during the 2026 expansion, which focuses on optimizing the facility for full-scale RNG generation. The progress at Thorold demonstrates the successful scaling and commercial application of this high-value, dual-revenue HTP conversion process.