Biochar is seeking its place

Biomass pyrolysis and gasification installations produce bio-methane which is injected into networks, and also generate a solid matter flow which is a concentrate of carbon which was initially contained by the biomass: this is biochar. There are in fact different types of biochar, depending on the installation type and operation (input types, notably). Within the framework of a European project (Three C), a university and a professional group of Brittany is trying to organise actors concerned by biochar, and to develop this sector. Actors can be biochar producers, or providers of decarbonized energy. A company is exploiting the fact that biochar production and use capture more carbon than they emit. For other actors, biochar is only a by-product, and their business model is based on synthetic gas production. Some examples of companies and activities in France are evoked. The author finally discusses remaining obstacles and breaks