Introduction

Granular biochar is a high-carbon product from biomass (wood, farm residues, manure, etc.) using thermal transformations like pyrolysis, gasification or hydrothermal carbonization. Granulation allows it to be more user friendly (less dust, easier to handle, more even application) than loose or powder biochar. It is more and more utilized as a soil conditioner, sequestration agent, water retainer, fertilizer enhancer, and, more currently, in water treatment, animal feed, building construction, and environmental remediation.

The size of the granular biochar market is projected to increase from US$ 68,789.87 thousand in 2022 to US$ 172,103.82 thousand in 2030; it is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 12.1% from 2022 to 2030.

Growth Strategies

Product diversification and differentiation

Creating various grades, particle sizes, tailored formulations (for various crops, soils, water retainability, etc.), or specialty formulations (for water treatment or construction applications).

Adding applications & markets

Beyond agriculture (soil nutrient, fertilizer alternative) to water treatment, wastewater management, filtration, construction products (e.g. biochar enriched cement), animal feedstock, etc.

Strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions

To achieve scale, tap new markets or sources of feedstock, meet regulations, or enter carbon credit/offset business. Smaller ones are usually acquired by big players.

Policy, regulation & incentives

Riding on government assistance in the form of subsidies, carbon credit or carbon removal incentives, environmental laws, prohibitions or limitations (such as the burning of agricultural residues) which raise the demand for alternative applications.

Supply chain optimization & local feeding

Locally sourcing biomass, controlling logistics, cutting costs via shorter transport, decentralized manufacturing, mobile facilities, etc.

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Future Trends

Carbon credits / Carbon removal becomes more mainstream

With governments and companies more and more pledging to net zero and carbon removal, biochar's long-term carbon sequestering is appealing to carbon credit markets. Verification, permanence, standards will be critical.

Feedstock diversification

Increased utilization of agricultural residues (rice husks, bagasse, corn stover) and manure, as opposed to woody biomass. This aids cost, availability, and sustainability.

Emerging technologies

Hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and enhanced pyrolysis will advance. And enhanced process control, IoT/AI aided optimization to enhance yield and lower emissions.

Tailored applications

Increased numbers of specialized, application specific biochar products: for horticulture, high value crops, water treatment of specific pollutants, construction materials, etc.

Opportunities

Carbon markets & climate funding

Initiatives proving verifiable carbon sequestration via biochar can enjoy finance, voluntary markets, or regulation led demand.

Waste management synergy

Utilization of agricultural waste, municipal biosolids, forestry residues, etc., to convert a disposal issue into a value added product.

Cross sector applications

E.g. filtration of water, treatment of stormwater, building (biochar in insulation or concrete), animal food, etc.

R&D and cost-saving innovations

Lower-cost reactors, scaling, lowering transportation/logistics costs, quality and consistency enhancement.

Key Segments

By Product Type

Wood Source Biochar

Corn and Wheat Source Biochar

By Application

Soil Conditioner

Fertilizer

Challenges & Risks

High up-front costs: units for the production of biochar (reactors), drying feedstock, handling and transporting can be pricey.

Awareness: farmers, industrial consumers are still unaware or uncertain about proper use of granular biochar (dosages, best practices).

Logistics & supply chain: transportation of bulky biomass or biochar, availability of biomass, energy inputs, drying etc.

Verification and durability for carbon markets: guarantee that carbon captured by biochar is staying in soil, over long timescale, and that production emissions are low.

Key Players with Recent Developments

Carbonis GmbH & Co KG (Germany)

Product / Process Orientation: Carbonis makes "premium biochar" (or "Pflanzen¬kohle / Pflanzen-kohlenprodukte") out of high-grade hardwood/softwood from local forests. They focus on traceability, high quality (e.g. GMP+ for animal feeding char) and the rejection of low quality inputs such as garden / municipal residues.

Applications: Carbonis markets both "soil char" for agricultural improvement and "feeding char" for animal feed / livestock/husbandry applications, biogas, and industrial applications. They supply various grain sizes and packaging.

Recent Developments:

As for public statements, no very recent large "new plant" or big funding round was located (in the sources reviewed) for Carbonis. Their site highlights production quality consistency, new package product and granule sizes, but nothing akin to a new scale up or acquisition was located.

PYREG GmbH (Germany)

New Management Hire: In March 2025, PYREG hired Alexander Friedrichkeit (ex Shell) as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). It aims to grow its global network and increase large scale biochar factory capacity.

Large Projects and Supply Agreements:

They are supplying a carbonisation plant to Black Bull Biochar for Northern England (January 2024). This assists PYREG to enter/grow in the UK biochar supply market.

They are commissioning their largest plant ever in Australia: two PYREG systems at Sydney Water Riverstone Wastewater Treatment Plant, treating ~10.5 tonnes dry biosolids/day. The facility will manufacture biochar from sludge. The systems will be shipped late 2025.

American BioChar Co / American BioCarbon (USA)

Note: There can be minor differences in naming across sources ("American BioChar Co" vs "American BioCarbon"), but likely the same or closely related entity involved in bagasse biochar.

OMRI Listing: American BioCarbon listed OMRI in January 2025 for its bagasse based biochar, which means it is organic crop fertilizer and soil amendment certified.

Carbon Removal Certificates (CORCs) / Puro.earth Pre certification:

It was pre certified in September 2023 by Puro.earth for the production of CORCs from bagasse biochar. The plant (when operating at full capacity) will be able to produce >175,000 high integrity CORCs every year. B

Conclusion

The market for biochar is at a tipping point. Powered by global needs to heal soil, fight climate change, waste management, and decrease dependence on chemical inputs, it is moving from niche to mainstream. It is those firms that can advance in technology, assure quality, navigate regulations, diversify uses, and establish credible carbon removal routes that will achieve the competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is granular biochar, and how does it differ from powder biochar?

Granular biochar is processed biochar in granule form (a specific particle size), allowing it to be handled more easily, minimizes dust, allows easier spreading uniformly. Powder biochar has smaller particles, greater surface area but could be harder to apply, and potential to drift or dust.

How does biochar store carbon? Is it for all time?

Biochar is made with conditions that transform biomass into fixed carbon (solid charcoal‐form). Applied to soils or mixed into stable materials, a lot of the carbon is resistant to decomposition and can remain soil for decades to centuries. Permanence is subject to the production process, type of soil, depth of application, moisture, microbial activity, etc.

Is granular biochar economical for farmers?

It varies. In most instances, the initial expense (product + transport + application) is more than synthetic fertilizers or conventional soil amendments. However, in the long term, advantages such as enhanced soil quality, lower fertilizer use, more effective water retention, increased yields, and potentially carbon credits can be a counterbalance. For big farms or farms with eroded soil, the ROI is generally favorable.

What kind of regulations or standards are there for biochar?

Standards are being developed; organizations such as the International Biochar Initiative develop guidelines. There can be regulation in some countries regarding biochar in agriculture inputs, amendments, or for carbon removal certification. Globally unified standard still lacks it.