Biochar Market Summary
As per Market Research Future Analysis, the global biochar market was valued at USD 2.05 Billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 3.99 Billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 7.68% from 2024 to 2032. Biochar, produced from waste materials, is primarily used in agriculture to enhance soil quality and reduce pollutants. The market is driven by increasing demand in agriculture, industrial applications, and environmental awareness. However, challenges such as high production costs and technology limitations hinder growth. North America is expected to dominate the market due to a strong manufacturing base and innovation in biochar products.
Key Market Trends & Highlights
The biochar market is witnessing significant growth driven by various factors.
- Market size in 2023: USD 2.05 Billion; projected to reach USD 3.99 Billion by 2032.
- CAGR during 2024-2032: 7.68%; driven by agricultural demand.
- North America expected to hold the largest market share and highest growth rate.
- COVID-19 impact led to a temporary decline, but opportunities for biochar in agriculture are increasing.
Market Size & Forecast
2023 Market Size: USD 2.05 Billion
2024 Market Size: USD 2.21 Billion
2032 Market Size: USD 3.99 Billion
CAGR: 7.68%
Largest Regional Market Share in 2024: North America.
Major Players
Key players include Novocarbo, Airex Energy Inc., Diacarbon Energy, Biochar Supreme, and Frontline BioEnergy.
Biochar is a type of charcoal made by heating waste materials such as agricultural waste, wood waste, forest waste, and animal dung under controlled conditions. It is frequently used as a soil amendment to reduce pollutants and hazardous materials, as well as to avoid moisture loss, soil leaching, and fertilizers runoff, among other applications. It's consisted of wide range of application in the various end use industries such as fabric additive in textile industry, as a raw material in the production of building material, and as a shield against electromagnetic radiation in the electronics industry.
Environmental awareness, lower raw material costs, and consistent government waste management policies are expected to open up more business opportunities.
COVID-19 Impact vs Opportunities for Biochar Market
COVID-19 brought the entire world to a halt, which results in negative impact on agricultural industry as well as on global biochar market. Despite the fact that the biochar market has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19, the farmers are being encouraged by the stakeholders to install reactor on their farm to speed up the process of turning stubble into biomass. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on climate change has been identified biochar as a feasible method for reducing pollution.
Biochar Market Dynamics
Drivers
Growing Demand for Biochar in Agriculture industry
Agriculture industry is expected to drive the global biochar market during the assessment period, and it is expected to dominate the market demand over the upcoming years. Since, biochar improves the soil's ability to hold water and fertilizer, supplying vital nutrients to crops and stimulating plant growth.
In the same line, biochar is gaining popularity in developing countries because to its potential to improve soil physical and chemical properties, as well as boost soil fertility and productivity, resulting in increased crop strength and growth while producing fewer pollutants.
Opportunities
Increasing usage of Biochar in various industrial application
Animal farming, and livestock farming such as cattle farming, and poultry farming others are the key consumers of biochar. End use industries such as agriculture, electronics, and textile industry has witnessed a spike in demand and a higher than usual consumption which is expected to re-normalize in the coming years. Increasing consumption of biochar market for heat and power generation coupled with the rising adsorption application are propelling the growth of the biochar market over the foreseeable period.
Restraints
High cost of Biochar The high cost of biochar, as well as underlying structural constraints such as a shortage of finance for producers, an immature carbon market, and shorter timescales for mining land restoration bonds, continue to stymie the biochar charcoal market's growth. Furthermore, the lack of effective technology for low-emission biochar synthesis, particularly for distant or mobile production, has hampered the biochar market value during the assessment period.
Challenges
Disadvantages of Biochar technology Biochar commercialization is still in its early phases, and this difficult-to-sell asset lacks uniformity and standardisation, slowing the market's growth. Concerns regarding the unsustainable production process of biochar market will continue to be one of the major factors limiting the growing potential of biochar consumption. Another factor impedes the growth of global biochar market is low product demand from Middle East and Africa region in the agricultural and livestock production which is expected to be a challenge factor for global biochar market.
Value Chain Analysis / Technology Analysis / Regulatory Implications
The supply chain analysis is the process of comprehending the steps taken by the stakeholders involved in the manufacturing and distribution of Biochar throughout the international market. The supply chain includes raw materials and suppliers, Biochar producers, distributors, and end-use industries.
The key raw material used in the production of Biochar market is grass, wood chips, cow manure, rice husk, cassava rhizome, wheat straw, and other agricultural residues. The production of biochar is also depending on the type of raw material to be used of product manufacture and pyrolysis conditions.
The distribution channel in this biochar market comprises distributors, wholesalers, and e-commerce merchants. Generally, the distributors are engaged in long-term sales agreements with producers and end-users. AgEnergy, AgraMarketing Solutions, AirTerra, All Power Labs Local Carbon Network, American Biochar Company, The Andersons, Aries Clean Energy, ARTiChar, Backwoods Biochar, BC Biocarbon, Biochar Solutions, Biological Carbon LLC, Ecotone Inc, Miller Soils LLC, Standard Biocarbon LLC, and Vermont Natural Ag Products are some of the key suppliers of Biochar.
The introduction of e-commerce is the latest ongoing trend in the global market, that offers on-door delivery and inexpensive pricing edge. Third-party online platforms, such as Alibaba, India MART, and others, are involved in e-commerce.
Segment Overview: By Technology
Pyrolysis- Pyrolysis technology is a type of manufacturing process in which the biomass is fed into the pyrolysis reactor from the top, while air is supplied from the bottom. Inside the reactor, biomass is heated and turned into biochar by chemical and physical processes. Biochar, syngas (synthesis gas) and pyrolysis oil are by-products of the pyrolysis process.
Gasification- Gasification is another production method for biochar, in which partially combusting biomass is heated at high temperatures (700-1000oC) in an oxygen-deficient environment. Through which it produces high-quality fuel gases (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) as well as biochar.
Others - Others include hydrothermal carbonization, and other technologies
By Application
Agriculture- Biochar generated from a native reed is widely used in agricultural industry to filter acidic or nutrient-laden river drains. The loaded chars are subsequently used to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and sink carbon in local dairy and farming operations.
Animal Farming- Biochar or carbonized biomass which is similar to charcoal has been widely used for the medical treatment of animals for ages. It is also used as regular feed supplements to improve animals health.
Industrial- Biochar has wide range of application in various end use industries such as for electricity generation or power generation, manufacturing of building materials in construction industry, and many more.
Others- Power generation, and textile industries are included in other segment.
Regional Analysis
North America is estimated to boost the global market growth The Biochar market in the North America region is anticipated to account for the largest share of the Biochar market and register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is due to presence of large number of manufacturers and distributors in this region, which are focusing on innovating its biochar product portfolio to increase the product demand.
Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape offers an analysis of the key developments by the companies operating in the global biochar market in the last three years. The global market for Biochar is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand from the automotive industry. The global market represents strong numbers in terms of consumption. List of Key Companies Covered in this Report:
- Diacarbon Energy (Canada)
- ArSta Eco Pvt Ltd. (India)
- Farm2Energy Pvt. Ltd. (India)
- Frontline BioEnergy LLC (US)
- KARR Group Co. (KGC) (US)
- Pacific Biochar Corporation (US)
Biochar Market Industry Developments
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Q2 2024: Charm Industrial Announces $100 Million Series B Funding to Scale Carbon Removal via Biochar Charm Industrial raised $100 million in Series B funding to expand its biochar-based carbon removal operations, aiming to increase production capacity and accelerate deployment of its technology.
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Q1 2024: NovoCarbo Opens New Biochar Production Facility in Germany NovoCarbo inaugurated a new biochar manufacturing plant in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, increasing its annual production capacity and supporting local agricultural decarbonization efforts.
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Q2 2024: Microsoft Signs Multi-Year Biochar Carbon Removal Offtake Agreement with Carbonfuture Microsoft entered a multi-year contract with Carbonfuture to purchase biochar-based carbon removal credits, supporting its sustainability and net-zero goals.
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Q1 2024: Pacific Biochar Secures USDA Grant for Biochar Research and Commercialization Pacific Biochar received a grant from the USDA to advance research and commercialization of biochar for soil health and carbon sequestration in California.
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Q2 2024: Carbo Culture Appoints New CEO to Lead Global Expansion Carbo Culture announced the appointment of a new CEO, tasked with scaling the company's biochar production and expanding its international footprint.
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Q2 2024: Biochar Now Wins Major Contract with U.S. Department of Agriculture Biochar Now secured a significant contract with the USDA to supply biochar for large-scale soil remediation and carbon sequestration projects.
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Q1 2024: AirMiners Launches Biochar Marketplace Platform for Carbon Removal Projects AirMiners introduced a new online platform connecting biochar producers with buyers seeking carbon removal credits, streamlining transactions and project verification.
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Q2 2024: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group Partners with UK Farmers for Biochar Production Bioenergy Infrastructure Group announced a partnership with UK farmers to develop biochar production facilities, aiming to enhance soil health and support carbon removal initiatives.
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Q2 2024: Carbon Gold Launches New Biochar Product for Commercial Horticulture Carbon Gold released a new biochar-based soil amendment product targeting commercial horticulture, designed to improve crop yields and soil resilience.
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Q1 2024: Biochar Life Receives Investment from Impact Fund to Expand African Operations Biochar Life secured investment from an impact fund to scale its biochar production and distribution network across several African countries.
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Q2 2024: Husk Ventures Signs Partnership with Cambodian Government for Biochar Projects Husk Ventures entered a partnership with the Cambodian government to develop biochar projects aimed at improving soil fertility and supporting climate resilience.
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Q2 2024: Ecoera Receives EU Regulatory Approval for Biochar Carbon Removal Credits Ecoera obtained regulatory approval from the European Union for its biochar-based carbon removal credits, enabling broader market access and compliance with EU climate targets.
Report Attribute/Metric Attribute/Metric |
Details |
Market Size 2023 |
USD 2.05 Bn |
Market Size 2024 |
USD 2.21 Bn |
Market Size 2032 |
USD 3.99 Bn |
  CAGR |
  7.68% CAGR (2024-2032) |
  Base Year |
  2023 |
  Forecast Period |
  2024-2032 |
  Historical Data |
  2019 |
  Forecast Units |
  Value (USD Bln) |
  Report Coverage |
  Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
  Segments Covered |
  Technology, Application and Region |
  Geographies Covered |
  North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) |
  Key Vendors |
  Novocarbo (India), Airex Energy Inc., Diacarbon Energy (Canada), ArSta Eco Pvt Ltd. (India), Biochar Supreme (US), Coaltec Energy USA (US), Farm2Energy Pvt. Ltd. (India), Frontline BioEnergy LLC (US), KARR Group Co. (KGC) (US), Pacific Biochar Corporation (US), Phoenix Energy (US), ProActive Agriculture (US). |
  Key Market Opportunities |
  Increasing usage of Biochar in various industrial application |
  Key Market Drivers |
  Growing Demand for Biochar in Agriculture industry |
Biochar Market Highlights:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
The global biochar market is estimated to be USD 3.99 million by 2032.
The major factors that are contributing to the growth of the market are an increasing demand for agricultural industry and increasing usage of various industrial application is the key element driving the growth of the market.
North America holds the largest share in the global Biochar market, followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe.
NOVOCARBO, Airex Energy Inc., Diacarbon Energy, ArSta Eco Pvt Ltd. are some of the key players in the Biochar market.
Strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, and technology/product launch are some of the strategies adopted by the players in the global Biochar market to gain a larger competitive advantage.
The biochar market size was valued at USD 2.05 Billion in 2023