A Healthier Earth, a UK-based climate tech firm, has announced plans to build a major 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 facility in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. Partnering with German company PYREG, the facility will produce up to 9,000 tonnes of biochar per year, making it one of the largest carbon removal projects in the UK. This effort aims to capture and store around 17,000 tonnes of atmospheric CO2 annually, beginning in 2025.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material, is created 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, which heats organic waste like 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 and sewage sludge to over 500°C in low-oxygen conditions. This process sequesters up to 90% of the carbon contained in the original plant material, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. The facility will use local organic waste, diverting it from landfills and incineration.

The biochar project will also generate carbon removal credits for sale, supporting global decarbonization efforts. A Healthier Earth plans to scale this operation with PYREG’s high-capacity PX6000 pyrolysis machines, with future expansions in mind.

This initiative is a significant step towards combating climate change, aligning with global goals to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. With the capability to deliver large-scale carbon removal, this facility underscores the growing role of biochar in climate solutions.

READ MORE: ‘UK’s largest’: A Healthier Earth to produce up to 9,000 tonnes of biochar a year at new site