NetZero, a French start-up specializing in 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, is accelerating its operations in Brazil with the opening of its third factory in Brejetuba, Espírito Santo. This facility, the second in Brazil, is located close to NetZero’s first site in the region, which started operations in mid-2023. The strategic location near Coocafé, a cooperative of over 10,000 coffee growers, ensures a steady supply of 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 from 250 local farmers.

The new factory will produce 4,000 tonnes of biochar annually from coffee husks, removing over 6,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere and enhancing soil fertility. NetZero’s model emphasizes local, circular biochar production in tropical regions with abundant unused biomass. This approach tackles climate change by sequestering carbon, promotes sustainable agriculture by improving soil quality and yields, and drives social impact by improving farmers’ livelihoods and creating rural industrial jobs.

NetZero plans to start constructing another site in Minas Gerais soon, demonstrating the replicability of their model and their ability to engage stakeholders across the biochar value chain. This expansion follows their selection as the only French finalist in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, backed by a $100 million prize from the Musk Foundation. Earlier, NetZero secured €18 million from STOA, supported by the French sovereign fund and the French Development Agency.

Axel Reinaud, Co-founder and CEO of NetZero, highlights the significance of the third factory as a milestone, marking the end of their sequential building approach and beginning of constructing multiple factories annually. The company aims to establish regional hubs for operational synergies and high social acceptance, providing tangible benefits to local communities in agriculture and employment.

Founded in 2021 by Axel Reinaud, Dr. Jean Jouzel, Aimé Njiakin, Olivier Reinaud, and Pedro de Figueiredo, NetZero is dedicated to scaling up biochar production, a rare climate solution that permanently removes carbon from the atmosphere while promoting sustainable agriculture.

READ MORE: NetZero Launches New Biochar Plant in Brazil