Researchers are working to find sustainable alternatives to peat, a primary component in potting soil, due to its significant environmental drawbacks. The Greenhouse Horticulture business unit at Wageningen University & Research is collaborating with potting soil companies to address this challenge. Annually, consumers and growers in the Netherlands use five million cubic meters of peat, which is harvested from bogs in countries across Northern Europe. This excavation process lowers groundwater levels and leads to the release of large amounts of stored CO2 as the remaining peat decomposes, contributing to climate change.

Chris Blok, a plant nutrition researcher at Wageningen, compiled a list of over 130 potential materials from scientific literature. From this list, he selected a few that could be produced in large volumes, as any new raw material requires significant investment in pretreatment technology to be suitable for potting soil. Only with large quantities does it become financially viable for factories to make the necessary conversions.

One of the materials tested is 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, a lightweight substance made of carbon and ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More. Biochar is produced by heating 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 in an oxygen-free environment. According to Blok’s research, biochar is a good alternative to peat. However, its path to widespread adoption is not straightforward. The market is not yet fully embracing the material due to persistent concerns about processing safety, price, and the security of its supply. To overcome these hurdles, the next phase of research will involve collaborative cultivation trials with growers and producers. These trials are intended to address the remaining questions and clarify what’s needed to gain broader market interest and facilitate the transition away from peat.

SOURCE: The market still has questions about the safety, price and supply of biochar