How to Choose the Right Biochar for Your Industry:

jaryl3
Jun 17
5 min read

A Buyer's Guide to Quality, Certification, and Profitability

As global industries shift toward carbon neutrality and resource efficiency, biochar has emerged as a highly versatile material — from regenerative agriculture and environmental remediation to high-value industrial applications. However, not all biochar is created equal, and selecting the right type is critical for quality performance, certification compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

In this guide, we break down what bulk buyers need to know when sourcing biochar across industries.

Pallets of 1-ton industrial-grade biochar bags labeled “Greenchar Verified™” stacked in a warehouse ready for export, with a forklift operator managing logistics. By Greenchar Climate Solutions — This image is for illustrative purposes only. The packaging, labeling, and visual presentation of “Greenchar Verified™” biochar shown here are digitally generated and may not reflect the actual product. Please contact us directly for verified specifications, certifications, and real shipment photos.

What Is Industrial-Grade Biochar?

Industrial-grade biochar refers to carbon-rich material produced via pyrolysis (thermal decomposition of biomass in low-oxygen environments) that meets stringent quality and performance standards for non-agricultural use. Key uses include:

Activated carbon production
Water filtration systems
Concrete and building materials
Heavy metal removal
Carbon removal / carbon credit trading

To meet these industrial needs, the biochar must be processed under consistent temperatures, with specific feedstocks and post-treatment that ensure high fixed carbon content, low ash, and low volatile matter.

Key Technical Parameters for Bulk Buyers

Here’s what to look for in an industrial-grade biochar technical data sheet (TDS):

Parameter	Ideal Range (Industrial Use)	Application Notes / Industry Relevance
Fixed Carbon	≥ 70%	✅ Essential for carbon sequestration and metallurgical use. High fixed carbon = more stable carbon structure. Lower FC biochar can still work in soil applications.
Ash Content	Varies: <10% (general) / up to 50% (cement)	⚠️ Low ash preferred for combustion/metallurgy. High ash (>30%) may benefit concrete/cement due to pozzolanic minerals like Ca, Si, K, Mg.
Volatile Matter	< 20%	Lower VM indicates better thermal stability. High VM biochar is more reactive and better for soil biology or composting.
BET Surface Area	> 200 m²/g (for filtration)	High surface area crucial for filtration, adsorption, or soil remediation. Cement and steel industries are less surface-sensitive.
Bulk Density	200–600 kg/m³	Impacts storage, transport & blend ratios. Higher density is useful for industrial mixing. Lighter biochar used for soil aeration or blending.
Particle Size	0.5–5 mm typical (or custom)	Uniform size is critical for cement, pellets, and steel injection. Custom sizing often needed.
Moisture Content	< 5%	Lower moisture ensures stability, reduces weight & increases combustion efficiency if used for energy or metallurgical reduction.
pH	6–10 (varies)	⚠️ Acidic biochar can corrode some equipment; alkaline biochar improves cement bonding or neutralizes acidic soils. pH must match end use.
Heavy Metals	Below regulatory limits (varies by country)	Must pass local standards (e.g. EU, US EPA, GB standards in China). Especially important for agriculture, water, and cement applications.

📝 Not All Biochar Is the Same – Tailor It by Industry:

Cement & Concrete: High ash + alkaline biochar with pozzolanic content (e.g., rice husk, bagasse) may improve strength and CO₂ uptake.
Metallurgy / Steel: Requires high fixed carbon, low ash, and high calorific value (e.g., hardwood, bamboo).
Water & Filtration: Prioritize high BET surface area, low volatile matter, clean feedstocks (e.g., coconut shell).
Soil Amendment: Depends on soil type. Mid-temp biochar with higher volatile matter can improve microbial life.

What Is “Fixed Carbon”?

Fixed carbon is the solid, non-volatile carbon that remains in the biochar after volatile gases and moisture are removed during pyrolysis. It is what gives biochar its long-term stability, durability, and carbon-rich structure.

Use Case	Why High Fixed Carbon Is Important
Concrete & Building Materials	High fixed carbon improves strength, durability, and chemical resistance when mixed into cement. It also reduces reactivity that could interfere with setting time.
Filtration / Adsorption	Higher carbon = higher porosity and surface area (especially when activated), essential for trapping pollutants, heavy metals, or toxins.
Carbon Credits	Carbon permanence is directly linked to the fixed carbon content. Higher fixed carbon = more stable carbon = more carbon credits.
Soil Remediation	Stable carbon binds to contaminants without breaking down quickly. Low fixed carbon biochar may degrade, leach, or lose structure.
Energy Applications (e.g. as solid fuel precursor)	High fixed carbon means more energy content per gram — similar to how coal’s value is measured.

What Happens If Fixed Carbon Is Too Low?

You may be buying mostly ash or volatile matter — reducing effectiveness.
Poor durability in cement or filtration.
Shorter carbon sequestration lifespan — weakening carbon credit claims.
Less cost-effectiveness per ton — you’re paying for “filler.”

Minimum Documentation You Should Request:

TDS (Technical Data Sheet)
COA (Certificate of Analysis) from third-party lab
SDS (Safety Data Sheet)
Production batch traceability record
MSDS (if biochar is activated/processed)

Industry Use Cases: What Kind of Biochar Fits Best?

Industry	Recommended Biochar Characteristics
Construction (e.g., concrete)	Low ash, high surface area, alkaline pH, high fixed carbon
Filtration / Adsorption	Fine particle size, high BET surface area (>300 m²/g), activated
Agriculture / Composting	High porosity, moderate pH, nutrient retention capacity
Carbon Removal Buyers	High permanence, CSI/Puro-certified, third-party MRV-compliant
Soil Remediation / Landfills	High CEC, stable carbon fraction, metal-binding capacity

Bulk Procurement Considerations

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Typically 10–20 tons for trial, 100+ tons for long-term supply.
Packaging: Jumbo bags (1-ton), 25kg bags, or pelletized form.
Shipping Terms: FOB/CIF depending on port and destination.
Lead Time: 2–6 weeks from Asia depending on logistics.
Average Price: $200–$450/ton FOB (as of 2025), depending on certification, carbon content, and feedstock.

Carbon Credit Opportunities

If you’re buying biochar for carbon removal or sustainability goals, make sure the product and producer support:

Permanence documentation (e.g., >100-year stability models)
Lifecycle analysis (LCA) and MRV support
Eligibility for third-party verification (e.g., Puro.Earth, Isometric)

High-grade biochar can generate $100–$200 USD per ton of CO₂ removal in carbon credit markets, offering a direct path to ROI.

📞 Need Help Sourcing Certified Industrial Biochar?

At Greenchar Climate Solutions, we work with buyers across the U.S., Canada, LATAM, Europe , and Asia Pacific to match them with high-performance, lab-tested biochar.