Biochar: From Ancient Material to Modern Climate Solution

Biochar may sound like a niche topic, but its applications are rapidly expanding — from agriculture and water treatment to metallurgy and even 3D printing. At the recent European Biochar Summit, Dr. Zainab Afailal, a researcher at Engibex, shared her insights on where this material is heading and why it could play a critical role in building a more sustainable future. 

Q1. What is biochar? Is there one thing you learned at the summit that you wish everyone knew about it? 
Zainab: “Biochar is a carbon-rich solid material produced by heating biomass in an oxygen-poor environment, through a process called pyrolysis. The feedstock is usually forest residues or agricultural waste — what matters most is that it’s biogenic. During pyrolysis, we don’t just get biochar; we also produce syngas and bio-oil, which can be used as energy. 
At the summit, I was reminded of how versatile biochar really is. It’s not just about soil improvement or carbon storage. It has industrial applications, too — in metallurgy, water treatment, and even as a substitute in processes that have traditionally relied on fossil fuels.”

Q2. Was there a moment or presentation that made you think, “Wow — this could really change things”? 
Zainab: “Definitely. The talks about decarbonizing metallurgy stood out. Steel production, for example, still needs carbon as a reductant. Traditionally, this comes from fossil-based coke. But if we can replace part of that with biocarbon, we decarbonize without changing the chemistry. That’s a huge step for heavy industry.”

Q3. Biochar sounds technical — can you explain it in one sentence so even a 10-year-old would get it? 
Zainab: “Sure: biochar is like a super sponge made from plants — it stores carbon, cleans water, and helps soil grow food.”

Q4. Did you see any surprising or unusual uses of biochar that most people wouldn’t expect? 
Zainab: “Yes! One company was mixing biochar into plastic feedstock for 3D printing. It made the material stronger while reducing the amount of plastic needed. Another interesting use is in water filtration — the activated carbon in your water pitcher filter is essentially biochar.” 

Q5. Which country, company, or researcher at the summit impressed you most, and why? 
Zainab: “I was really impressed by some European Commission representatives who spoke about upcoming regulations and funding opportunities. It showed that biochar is getting real recognition at a policy level, not just as a niche research topic. That will make a difference in scaling up.” 

Q6. Were there any heated debates or controversial points during the event? 
Zainab: “There was discussion around carbon credits. Some people see biochar mainly as a way to generate revenue through negative emissions credits. Others worry that if we focus too much on the financial side, we’ll lose sight of the real benefits — soil health, water treatment, industrial decarbonization. I agree with the second view: we should use biochar in the right way, not just as a quick business model.” 

Q7. What’s the biggest challenge right now in scaling up biochar use? 
Zainab: “Feedstock. Producing one ton of biochar can require up to five tons of biomass, and that biomass is often needed elsewhere — for furniture, energy, or other industries. There’s also the human side: convincing farmers to change practices isn’t easy, even when biochar clearly improves soil.” 

Q8. How do you think biochar could impact our industry or everyday life in the next 5–10 years? 
Zainab: “I think we’ll see it embedded in agriculture, construction, and metallurgy. Imagine green steel made with biocarbon, healthier crops grown in biochar-enriched soil, and cleaner water thanks to biochar filters. It can touch both everyday life and heavy industry.” 

Q9. Was there a “hidden gem” — a small innovation, insight, or side project — that caught your eye? 
Zainab: “The 3D printing application I mentioned earlier was definitely a hidden gem. It shows how creative people can get with this material. Biochar doesn’t have to be limited to traditional uses — it can be part of the new materials economy.” 

Q10. If you could bring one takeaway from the summit into action tomorrow, what would it be? 
Zainab: “I’d say: let’s stop thinking of biochar as just an agricultural amendment or just a carbon credit tool. Let’s start integrating it across industries, with the right biomass, for the right applications. That’s how it will have real impact.” 

Conclusion 

Biochar is not a silver bullet, but as Dr. Afailal makes clear, it’s far more than an academic curiosity. It’s an ancient material rediscovered for modern challenges — one that could help industries decarbonize, soils recover, and everyday products become more sustainable. 

Key takeaway: Biochar has the potential to be a cornerstone of decarbonization — but only if used wisely, and at scale.