Biochar Market

Biochar Market Growth Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global biochar market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 7.9 million in 2023 and to grow at a rate of 14.1% during the forecast period to reach a valuation of US$ 26.5 million by the end of 2033.

Biochar is charcoal that is obtained by heating biomass such as wood, agricultural waste, animal waste, and forest waste. Biochar is added to soil to improve its quality, and health, reduce emissions through carbon sequestration, and also improve water efficiency. Biochar can be produced commercially by employing different technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, and microwave pyrolysis.

Report Attributes	Details
Biochar Market Size (2022A)	US$ 6.9 Million
Estimated Market Value (2023E)	US$ 7.9 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2033F)	US$ 26.5 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2023-2033)	14.1% CAGR
Europe Market Share (2022)	57.7%
China Market Growth Rate (2023-2033)	16.2% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	ArSta Eco Biochar Industries Biochar Supreme Carbon Gold Karr Group Phoenix Energy Sunriver Biochar Swiss Biochar GmbH The Biochar Company LLC Vega Biofuel

Historic and Future Pathway Analysis for the Biochar Market

Biochar production uses crop residues, wood waste, and other feedstock using pyrolysis or gasification. Biochar is the singular valuable bioenergy and bio-product generated during pyrolysis. Volatile gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, and others are driven off. All these emissions are captured and condensed into liquid fuels such as bio-oil and synthetic gas that could be later containerized for sale and used at production sites for renewable electricity generation.

Biochar is used widely in both energy and non-energy applications due to its environment-friendly properties. Biochar can be utilized as an alternative to charcoal and can be employed for the generation of electricity and power, as well as for non-energy applications such as activators in medicines and mine reclamation purposes.

• Short Term (2023-2026): Hemp farming is gaining traction as several countries such as the US, India, Germany, and the UK are lifting restrictions imposed on using hemp for medicinal or industrial purposes. Using biochar as a soil conditioner can help increase water retention in drier climates and aids in storing nutrients in the ground which is much needed for hemp production.
• Medium Term (2026-2029): Due to increased agricultural activities, gases such as methane and CO2 are released into the atmosphere attributing to large amounts of agricultural, municipal, and forestry biomass that is burned or left to decompose which can contaminate ground and surface water. Thus, biochar helps in removing these gases from the pollution cycle. Owing to growing agricultural activities and biochar applications in agriculture to drive the biochar market during the projection period.
• Long Term (2029-2033): Efforts led by market players to create awareness regarding the biochar market coupled with the adoption of ground-breaking strategies to reduce pricing and enhance production capacity to drive the biochar market in a long run.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period from 2023-2033, According to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

“Biochar to Control CO2 Levels in the Atmosphere to Bolster Consumption Growth”

The carbon level in the atmosphere is increasing due to an excessive amount of carbon dioxide being released into the air in the burning of fossil fuels and the decomposition of biomass.

For instance, in 2021, the atmospheric CO2 concentration increased by 2.5 parts per million (ppm), and reached 2.5 ppm in 2022, bringing the average annual global atmospheric concentration to 417.2 ppm. This amounts to a 51.0% increase in atmospheric CO2 over pre-industrial levels.

Biochar is highly stable and has the ability to store at least 50.0% of carbon from the feedstock when applied to the soil which helps in decreasing the emission of carbon dioxide. It also plays a vital role in controlling the release of methane and nitrogen dioxide from the soil. Hence, the growing carbon dioxide amount in the atmosphere creates demand for biochar.

“Biochar to Reduce Waste is Likely to Drive Market”

Feedstock that is utilized in the production of biochar is generally waste that is not employed for any other applications. Advancement in technology has led to an increase in the usage of feedstock generated from agricultural waste, forestry waste, animal manure, and others.

These wastes are organic in nature; however, they have to go under various chemical reactions during their usage, which is a threat to the environment and is difficult to properly manage this waste.

Therefore, an increase in the production of biochar is projected to increase the consumption of waste material. This, in turn, is anticipated to reduce the volume of waste generated and the problem associated with the management of waste.

“Lack of Consumer Awareness to Hamper Biochar Consumption”

Lack of consumer awareness of the application of biochar is a significant hurdle for the expansion of the biochar market. Consumers consider it as charcoal and risk that are involved with charcoal in terms of environmental problems. Consumers have to be made aware of the potential of biochar as well as its wide applications. The increased awareness among consumers is anticipated to surge the demand, which, in turn, is estimated to boost the rapid expansion of the biochar market.

Country-wise Insights

What are the Factors Driving Biochar Demand Across the US?

The United States dominates the biochar market because of the growing demand for organic food and high meat consumption. Furthermore, the increased awareness of the product would support the market growth in the country. The adoption of chemical-free farming techniques is becoming more popular as people become more aware of the health benefits of organic food.

Moreover, expanding the use of biochar in chicken production to reduce litter and ammonia odors is a prominent market trend. It may absorb liquids, gases, and ammonia to neutralize odors. The increasing number of small and large-scale manufacturing enterprises is expected to boost biochar market growth over the next ten years.

Why is the China Biochar Market Expected to Be Highly Lucrative?

Regenerative agriculture has grown in popularity in China as it improves soil fertility, soil biology, and watersheds while also absorbing carbon to mitigate the consequences of climate change.

Furthermore, with the growing demand for high-quality food and the majority of the population becoming interested in organic crop foods, the demand for biochar is increasing in various farming processes in China.

China is the global leader in chemical fertilizer output, use, and imports, as per the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Several research and development initiatives by the government are expected to propel biochar sales in China during the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Why Pyrolysis Technology is Gaining Traction?

Biochar pyrolysis technology is used for manufacturing high-quality pyrolysis biochar products that are both efficient and effective. Pyrolysis biochar production will continue to grow as it produces rich in carbon content and highly stable yield. Pyrolysis technology is widely used by several market players, including Earth Systems and Clean Fuels B.V., for high-yield production.

Organic waste-based biochar and its role in improving biomass production by enhancing soil fertility and contaminant remediation are projected to be the key determinant that will drive biochar demand over the coming years.

How does the Application of Biochar in Agriculture Ignite Consumption Growth?

Growing agricultural activities is likely to drive the biochar market during the forecast period. Gases such as methane and CO2 are released into the atmosphere attributing to large amounts of municipal, forestry, and agricultural biomass that is burned or left to decompose. This can contaminate the surface and groundwater.

Obtaining biochar from materials like field waste, crop waste, processing waste (including nut shells, bagasse, and fruit pits), food waste, yard waste, forestry waste, and animal manure not only removes these materials from the pollution cycle but also they are the only source of producing biochar as a byproduct of generating energy from this biomass.

Eminent Players Key Stratagems

Eminent players operating in the market focus on global expansion and enhancing suppliers’ and distributors’ networks to curb the demand pool and gain high-profit margins. Further, pricing plays a vital role in enhancing the overall customer base and the market position of the company.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of biochar positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Biochar Industry Research

• By Technology :

  • Pyrolysis
  • Gasification
  • Hydrothermal Carbonization

• By Feedstock :

  • Woody Biomass
  • Agricultural Waste
  • Animal Manure
  • Others

• By Application :

  • Agriculture
  • Animal Farming
  • Electricity Generation
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • MEA