Biochar Production Technology as a Negative Emission Strategy: A Review

Andre Amba Matarru and Donghoon Shin ()
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Andre Amba Matarru: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School, Kookmin University, 77 Jeongneungro, Seongbukgu, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
Donghoon Shin: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School, Kookmin University, 77 Jeongneungro, Seongbukgu, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-35

Abstract: The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift towards renewable energy has increased attention on biochar as a viable negative emission strategy. This review assesses the potential of biochar produced from organic and waste biomass via thermochemical processes—including pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization—to address climate and energy challenges. Recent advances in biochar production are critically examined, highlighting how process design controls improve key properties such as carbon stability, atomic ratios, porosity, and energy density. These factors influence biochar’s performance in carbon sequestration and its utility across industrial sectors, ranging from agriculture and construction to energy generation and carbon capture systems. Results indicate that large-scale adoption of biochar could lower carbon emissions, enhance soil fertility, and produce renewable fuels like hydrogen, while also benefiting circular economy initiatives. However, obstacles remain, including economic costs, feedstock logistics, process optimization, and potential environmental or social impacts. This review underscores that unlocking biochar’s full promise will require interdisciplinary research, robust quality standards, and supportive policies. With integrated efforts across science, industry, and policy, biochar can serve as an effective and sustainable technology for emission reduction and contribute significantly to global carbon neutrality goals.

Keywords: biochar; biomass; waste to hydrogen; negative emission strategy; thermochemical conversion; carbon capture and storage; techno-economic; social-environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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