The National University of Río Cuarto (UNRC) has established a landmark partnership with the private firm Canale SRL to pioneer the production of eco-friendly charcoalCharcoal is a black, brittle, and porous material produced by heating wood or other organic substances in a low-oxygen environment. It is primarily used as a fuel source for cooking and heating.   More from agricultural residues in Argentina. By utilizing a 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 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 process entirely engineered within university laboratories, the collaboration has successfully transformed rice straw into a high-value 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. This scientific-technological advancement, spearheaded by the Institute for Agroindustrial and Health Development (IDAS), marks a significant milestone as UNRC becomes the first university in the country to produce this sustainable material from rice-processing byproducts.

The primary challenge addressed by this initiative is the environmental burden posed by “rice straw” in the province of Corrientes, where it is a waste product of difficult management. Traditionally, such agricultural residues are often left to decompose or are disposed of through open burning, leading to uncontrolled methane emissions and localized air pollution. Furthermore, the reliance on traditional mineral coal or timber-derived charcoal for energy and industrial use contributes to deforestation and high greenhouse gas emissions. Managing these voluminous residues while meeting the demand for clean energy and soil restoration agents has remained a persistent bottleneck for the regional agro-industrial sector.

To resolve this, the UNRC research team, led by experts such as Dr. Leonardo Molisani, designed a specialized thermochemical conversion system that operates via pyrolysis. This process treats the rice straw at high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment, preventing combustion and instead stabilizing the carbon into a solid, vegetable charcoal. This method allows for the decentralized processing of biomass, turning a liability into a versatile resource. The solution effectively closes the production cycle of the rice industry, aligning with circular economy principles by ensuring that organic carbon is captured rather than released into the atmosphere.

The outcomes of this development extend across environmental, social, and economic sectors in Argentina. The resulting biochar serves as an effective soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More that increases fertility and organic carbon storage, thereby supporting regional biodiversity and agricultural resilience. Socially, the project fosters rural development by creating specialized jobs in local processing hubs and improves public health by providing a fuel source that generates significantly fewer harmful particles and smoke compared to traditional coal. Economically, the collaboration with Canale SRL demonstrates a viable pathway for industrial scaling, positioning this eco-friendly charcoal as a competitive, renewable alternative to mineral coal.