ofi (olam food ingredients), in partnership with LOTTE, Fuji Oil Co., and MC Agri Alliance, is introducing its first cocoa 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 initiative in Ghana’s Dankwa County. Scheduled for the 2024/25 crop season, the project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of cocoa farming and enhance soil health using biochar.

The initiative involves converting discarded cocoa pod husks into biochar using combustion machines. This process prevents the release of carbon during natural decomposition and enhances soil fertility, structure, and erosion resistance. The effort aligns with ofi’s Cocoa Compass ambition, a framework focused on addressing sustainability challenges in the cocoa supply chain and contributing to the company’s 2050 Net Zero target.

Key partners view this as a vital step in advancing sustainable cocoa practices. LOTTE emphasizes its importance amid climate-related crop failures, while Fuji Oil highlights its alignment with building a sustainable food value chain.

This project builds on ofi’s broader circular 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 initiatives, including biomass boilers at cocoa factories worldwide that use by-products like cocoa shells as fuel. By leveraging waste to create renewable resources, ofi and its partners aim to demonstrate the potential of collaborative action in reducing environmental impact while promoting sustainable cocoa production.

The biochar pilot will be monitored for its effects on soil health and carbon sequestration, offering insights into scalable solutions for cocoa farming sustainability.

PRESS RELEASE: ofi to launch first cocoa biochar project in partnership with LOTTE, Fuji Oil Co, and MC Agri Alliance