Biochar for Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, JUNE 26-28

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL BIOCHAR INITIATIVE &BIOCHAR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTThayer Tomlinson & Saran SohiSource material: Lehmann, J and Joseph, S. 2014. A Biochar Classification System and Associated Test Methods. In: Biochar for Environmental Management - Science and Technology, 2nd edition. J. Lehmann and S. Joseph (eds.). Earthscan, and references therein.

The International Biochar Initiative

Who we are….…a non-profit organization supporting researchers, commercial entities, policy makers, development agents, farmers and gardeners committed to sustainable biochar production and use. Our mission is to help attain the commercial viability of sustainable biochar production and utilization at all scales, to:Enhance the global soil resource

Help combat climate change

What we do….Connect the biochar community

Communications and Information exchange

IBI Biochar Standards

IBI Biochar Certification

Industry Tracking through reports and publications

Our Wider Biochar Community: A community approx. 12,000 strong

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Regional Biochar Groups58 regional and national biochar groups

What is New in the Field?

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Wide expansion of research and resourcesMulti-faceted uses for biochar and new types of biochar users/marketsMore support systems/information for biochar expansion and growth IBI Programs to support the biochar industry

INFORMATION SHARING AND COMMUNICATIONS

There are now over100 dedicated biochar research institutions and programs at higher education institutes globally

Large number of conferences on biochar year on year

Increase in peer-reviewed literature

IBI Website active and updated daily

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2ND EDITION: BIOCHAR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Updated Biochar for Environmental Managementpublished March 2015 with new information on biochar worldwide

First edition 2009 With 31 Chapters New information on biochar

and composting, effect on soil carbon cycles, certification programs

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Multi-faceted Uses for/Benefits of:

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Soil Amendment for improved soilsNutrient retention, water retention, improved soil

functions and structureCompost additionSoil reclamationGrowth medium for green roofs, alternative to peat

and/or vermiculiteCarbon Sequestration abilityWater/Air FiltrationAnimal Feed and Bedding

Multi-faceted Uses for Biochar: Compost

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More research and trials on the effects of biochar on the composting process.Some specific benefits:Best use of available feedstocksReduction in GHG; NitrogenIncreased composting time (due to increased temperature

of compost)Finished product has benefits of biochar and compostNew market segment for soil improvement sector

More information at www.biochar-international.org/compost

Multi-faceted Uses for Biochar: Different Cropping Systems

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How can the use of biochar improve the sustainability of different types of crops?IBI and Ithaka Institute looking at cropping systems

through a series of white papers, starting with coffeeHighlights the potential benefits of adding biochar to

soils to improve soil fertility and related increases in yields; opportunities for optimizing the use of coffee residues as potential feedstocks for biochar; and showcases de-carbonization pathways using biochar for the coffee industry.

- CONFIDENTIAL – 11

2015 International Year of Soils (IYS)

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A year-long effort to highlight the importance of healthy soils and to advocate for sustainable soil management.

Lead by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

The goal is to raise awareness about the crucial role soils play in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.

Many country-specific soil science societies will implement activities in their communities in support of the IYS 2015.

For more information on the IYS 2015 http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/en.

Specific IBI Programs

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IBI Biochar StandardsIBI Biochar Certification ProgramState of the Biochar Industry ReportIBI Webinar Series

IBI Biochar Standards

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Full name The Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil

A global, transparent, fully-documented process congruent with existing standard-setting bodies such as ISO

Relied on existing research and knowledge and based on accepted methodologies, standards, regulations and tests

Public input solicited and incorporated throughout the processDeveloped 2010 – 2012; approved by IBI Membership 2012; revised 2013 and

2014http://www.biochar-international.org/characterizationstandard

Why Establish IBI Biochar Standards?

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Before the industry can succeed, we must be able to define, analyze and communicate the essential characteristics that define biochar, and what biochar is.

To do this, we must establish guidelines and tests to confirm that a product intended for sale or use as biochar possesses the necessary characteristics for safe use.

IBI Biochar Certification Program

Brand Value: IBI CertifiedTM Biochar brand creates

value for biochar manufacturers

Product Differentiation: Allows a biochar manufacturer to label

biochar as certified by IBI and place the IBI CertifiedTM Biochar seal on the product

Standards Credibility: Based on the IBI Biochar Standards

developed in a global, transparent, inclusive process adhering to international standard-setting processes

Biochar Commercialization: State of the Biochar Industry Report

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2014 report published April 2015Key Findings from 2013 report include:

In 2013, the biochar industry is in a fledgling state. Biochar has yet to make a substantial entry into large-scale agricultural operations.

Unblended biochar and biochar products blended with other materials are being sold in many countries at a wide range of retail prices. The average price worldwide reported was $2.48 per kilogram.

Companies reported volumes of biochar sales totaling 827 metric tons. 90% of those transactions were made by businesses in North America and Europe with the remainder made in Asia and Africa.

Woody biomass is by far the largest source of feedstock for the biochar industry.

The scales and types of biochar production technologies being developed and marketed range widely—from micro-scale cookstoves to large-scale industrial facilities.

The main barriers to industry expansion are a lack of consumer awareness, technological constraints, and access to financing.

Found 175+ companies active in the sector

Biochar Commercialization: State of the Biochar Industry Report

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Initial findings from 2014 survey and research:Although still small, the biochar industry is growing. 2013 included 175+

companies; 2014 has about 200+ active and viable companies; a majority of companies surveyed believe the market will continue to expand

Companies reported increased sales #s in 2014; much larger overall sales number for biochar tonnage

Woody biomass continues to be the largest source of feedstock for the biochar industry.

Use of biochar growing from strictly as a soil amendment to other commercial uses such as soil remediation, storm water filtration. Soil amendment market expanding to include more use in blends, dual compost applications, etc.

Market/customer education remains a challenge for increased sales.More regulations on biochar use in soil coming up on a country-level as more

biochar is being used. Challenge is matching research to regulations to design appropriate regulations.

What is the “Industry”?

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Defined for this report as: enterprises encompassing the commercial production, distribution, and marketing of biochar and biochar-related products and services, for the purposes of this report. 1) biochar production and/or product sales; 2) biochar production equipment manufacturers;

and 3) other biochar-related enterprises, such as

consultants, product developers, and others.

IBI Webinar Series

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Connects members to professionals in the field to talk about real-world experiences and research; members have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the speaker.Held on a monthly basis and presenters have discussed a wide range of topics such as biochar use in Japan, the diversity of biochar properties, biochar in developing country applications, production economics, and building an industry.

Biochar for Environmental Management: An Overview

What is biochar?A product of heating biomass in the

absence of, or with limited air, to above 250ºC

Through the process of charring or pyrolysis

Distinguishes itself from charcoal or other carbon products in that it is intended for use as a soil application or more broadly for environmental management

Important defining feature is a certain level of organic C forms, called fused aromatic ring structures

Properties of biochar

Chemical properties of the organic C structure of biochar is fundamentally different from feedstockFused aromatic rings are key to biochar propertiesmineralization and adsorption

But macro-morphological characteristics of biochars typically resemble those of feedstocks i.e., typically looks the same but is black in color

Nomenclature

Biochar: the solid product of pyrolysis designed to be used for environmental management. IBI definition : "A solid material obtained from thermochemical

conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment”

Pyrogenic carbonaceous material (PCM): the umbrella term for all materials that were produced by thermochemical conversion and contain some organic CE.g. charcoal, biochar, char, black carbon, soot, activated carbon

Nomenclature (continued)

Charcoal: produced by thermochemical conversion from biomass (mainly but not exclusively wood) for energy generation

Black carbon: term is extensively used in the atmospheric, geologic, soil science and environmental literature to refer to PCMs dispersed in the environment from wildfires and fossil fuel combustion

Ash: mineral fraction of biomass or PCM (according to ASTM D1762-84) and typically includes metals, their oxides and carbonates (Enders et al, 2012)

image courtesy of www.thisoldhouse.com

Image courtesy of content.time.com

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Brief history of biochar research and application

Several centuries of documented interest in adding biochar to soils for plant productivityScientific publications beginning in the 1800s and into the early to mid-1900sThereafter drop in activity likely due to large-scale development and marketing of chemical fertilizers

Image courtesy of http://blogs.extension.org/mastergardener/tag/agriculture/

Terra preta de indio soils renew interest

Amazonian dark earths (terra preta de indio)Soils in the Amazon Basin

created by Amerindian populations

100s – 1,000s of years oldEnriched with biochar-type

material and highly fertileTerm "biochar" introduced

only within last 10 years to:Distinguish from activated carbon

made from fossil fuel and activated carbon made from biomass (Bapat et al, 1999), and

Replace the term "charcoal" as a fuel (Karaosmanoglu et al, 2000) and to distinguish it from coal

www.biochar-international.org

Research activity spikes in last decade

In early 2000s mostly focused on terra preta2008 biochar-specific publications increase

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

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Biochar as a system

Biochar is a term for a spectrum of materialsBenefits from biochar production and use only

realized in a systems approach to managing the environment1. Feedstock procurement biomass systems2. Pyrolysis energy production and use systems3. Biochar use

a) Soils, land useb) Climate changec) Waste management

Biochar system

4 COMPONENTS OF A BIOCHAR SYSTEM

Soil improvement

The defining feature of biochar systems

Targets crop productivity through improvements of soil

nutrient availabilitysoil physical properties, specifically water relationsplant-microbe interactionssoil remediation

Soil improvement

But biochar is a spectrum of materials with very different effects in soils

Need to classify biochars to distinguish physical-chemical properties

Critical to communicate biochar effects with consumers, regulators, agronomists, etc.

Climate change mitigation

Biochars have lower mineralization (fused aromatic C rings) as compared to the original material

reduces CO2 emissions from the system and is key to climate change mitigation with biochar

But…dependent on feedstocks E.g., old growth forest vs crop waste residues deliver very

different carbon balance

And, emissions throughout system life cycle impact the GHG budget includingNitrous oxide, methane from soils or biomassTransport, infrastructure, land use change

Waste management

Pyrolysis of wastes is well-establishedTechnology can handle a wide range of materialsWoody biomass, agricultural residues, manures,

sludge, etc.

Must ensure safety and utility of biochars produced from wastes

Energy production

Pyrolysis has been used to produce energy for more than 100 yearsHeat energyAlso, liquid and gaseous byproducts can be refined for energy or other usesBio-oilsSyngas

Trade-off between energy vs biochar maximization

Current state of biochar: Research gaps

Scientific output is high but commercialization is laggingKnowledge gapsDecision tool to identify typologies that match

specific biochars with soil and crop needsComparisons between biochar and other organic

amendments e.g. compostLarge-scale, long-term in situ experiments

Current state of biochar: Commercial applications

Need to understand, communicate benefits as well as potential negative impactsComply with Best management practicesPolicies, regulations governing emissions, feedstocks,

biochar land application, etcUnderstand trade-offs between system componentsE.g., soil improvement vs sustainable energy generation

Likely need social, economic incentives Need for large-scale commercial biochar enterprises

to predict viability of biochar as an environmental management strategy