South African startup B10 Char will open the country’s first large-scale 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 production facility in early 2025. Founded in mid-2023 by commodities traders Tobias Munk and Philip Edmonds, the company aims to convert over 22,000 tonnes of organic waste into 7,000 tonnes of biochar annually.

Biochar, produced via pyrolysis—heating organic waste at high temperatures in low oxygen—acts primarily as a soil additive. It enhances soil’s water and nutrient retention, benefiting agriculture while storing carbon for long periods. B10 will offer its biochar to farmers in raw and “pre-charged” forms, with early adopters receiving incentives to test its impact.

The environmental benefits are significant. Biochar production prevents carbon emissions by stabilizing carbon that would otherwise be released through waste burning. B10 expects to remove 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in its first year. The process also contributes to Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), improving soil for carbon sequestration and tree growth.

While small-scale biochar production exists in South Africa, B10’s facility, situated on a refurbished four-hectare site, marks the first major investment in the sector. Modern offices, a lab, and employee accommodation have been built, and automated kilns from China will arrive by March 2025.

B10 Char describes its mission as “reverse coal mining”—turning biowaste into a sustainable, high-quality product while reducing carbon footprints and supporting agriculture.