People's Republic of China China Surges into an Astonishing Global Lead in Biochar Deployment

[Norman Baker]

Wish this were happening here!

International Biochar Initiative Newsletter.
People's Republic of China
China Surges into an Astonishing Global Lead in Biochar Deployment

By IBI Chairman Tom Miles

"China has invested in many biochar plants in Northern China, primarily to reduce air pollution, improve yields and soil fertility, and sequester carbon. They are currently building about 50 biochar plants, located in each of several provinces. They have tested the biochar fertilizer products in the field at more than 300 sites with impressive results and have set up farmer coops and businesses to collect and densify crop residues at harvest. Pelletizing allows storage of the feedstock and facilitates biochar production along with oil and vinegar extraction. With biochar, they grow more food using less fertilizer while reducing air pollution and sequestering carbon, which they track using standardized methods. Last year they converted 200,000 tons of crop residues to biochar. This year they expect to convert 800,000 tons. That is expected to grow up to three million tons within five years. It is profitable for the farmers and for the biochar fertilizer companies"