Marousek, et al (2024) Cost breakdown indicates that 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 from microalgae in central Europe requires innovative cultivation procedures. Energy Nexus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2024.100335

Biochar production from microalgae in Central Europe shows potential but faces economic challenges. Researchers investigated six cultivation systems and two harvesting methods to understand algae biochar’s feasibility, focusing on its cost-effectiveness and agricultural benefits.

In the study, flocculation—a process using a chemical agent to separate algae from water—proved to be a more cost-effective harvesting method than centrifugation. Flocculation cut harvesting costs by nearly 29% compared to traditional methods, making it a promising alternative for biochar production in the region. However, even with cost savings from flocculation, producing algae biochar remains costly at over €110 per kilogram, which far exceeds the selling prices of conventional biochar, often derived from plant 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.

Biochar produced from algae shows similar agronomic properties to plant-based biochar, such as pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More and porosityPorosity of biochar is a key factor in its effectiveness as a soil amendment and its ability to retain water and nutrients. Biochar’s porosity is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, and it plays a crucial role in microbial activity and overall soil health. Biochar More. These traits support soil fertility, confirming algae biochar’s potential as a soil additive. Yet, the high production costs limit its market competitiveness. The study suggests that algae biochar may gain acceptance if production costs decrease or if it is positioned as a high-value product in multi-stage biorefining processes.

Further research could explore optimizing flocculation techniques or reducing energy demands to make algae biochar economically viable. This would not only enhance Central Europe’s biochar industry but also add a sustainable option for soil enhancement and carbon capture.