What is biochar made from?
Agricultural and forestry residues can become biochar through pyrolysis. Feedstock and processing conditions affect the final material. The USDA Climate Hubs overview explains why two biochars can have different properties.
In Indonesia, you may see the term arang hayati. ENVIID focuses on corn cob residues in Lampung. Read the corn cob biochar guide for the feedstock, moisture and production records relevant to this project, or compare local biomass options in our Indonesian feedstock comparison guide.
How does pyrolysis produce biochar?
Pyrolysis heats biomass with limited oxygen. The process yields a solid carbon-rich fraction alongside gases and vapours. Feedstock preparation, temperature, residence time and cooling need to be recorded when comparing batches.
For planning, calculate dry feedstock before applying a dry-basis yield. An illustrative 1,000 kg delivery at 20% moisture contains 800 kg of dry feedstock. At an assumed 25% dry yield, it gives 200 kg of dry biochar. These inputs illustrate the arithmetic. They do not describe ENVIID production measurements.
Biochar, charcoal, compost and ash
The name on a bag does not establish its suitability. Charcoal sold as fuel needs different purchasing checks from a material intended for soil or carbon storage. Ask for feedstock, batch identity and the intended use.
Compost supplies decomposed organic material. Ash is the mineral residue of combustion. Do not substitute the same mass of either material for biochar in a trial. Define what you want to change, then compare the relevant properties and application requirements.
What is biochar used for?
Soil amendment is one application. The US Forest Service biochar basics guide discusses potential roles in retaining water and nutrients and restoring degraded soils. A useful result still depends on the material and site.
Before a field application, record the soil baseline, the material specification and the outcome you plan to measure. Our biochar soil trial guide provides a practical comparison plan. ENVIID also explores industrial applications. Each buyer needs a separate specification and suitability assessment.
How does biochar relate to carbon removal?
Biochar can retain part of the carbon originally taken up by biomass. The IPCC assessment of land-based mitigation describes biochar carbon storage and the importance of production conditions, material properties and soil context.
A project calculation must distinguish gross carbon content, durable storage and emissions. Use our worked carbon removal example to follow those steps. A calculated scenario does not establish verified removal or issued credits.
A practical checklist before you choose biochar
- State the purpose: a soil trial, an industrial test or a carbon project.
- Identify the feedstock, batch and producer.
- Request a representative laboratory report and the measurement basis.
- Compare delivered dry mass, transport and application costs.
- Record the destination and evaluate the result against your original goal.
ENVIID is developing a corn cob biochar project in Lampung. Discuss project status and the evidence available with the team through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How is biochar different from ordinary cooking charcoal?
While both are produced by heating biomass with limited oxygen, biochar is produced under controlled pyrolysis conditions specifically for soil conditioning, environmental management or durable carbon storage—where pore structure, molar H/Corg ratio (< 0.7) and low contaminant levels are tested—whereas lump charcoal is produced to be burned as fuel.
Does burning biochar as fuel count as carbon removal?
No. Burning char releases its stored carbon back to the atmosphere as CO₂. Biochar carbon removal requires durable non-oxidative storage, such as incorporation into agricultural soil or long-lived construction materials, supported by traceable application records.
What is arang hayati?
Arang hayati is the Indonesian term for biochar—a porous carbon material produced from agricultural residues (such as corn cobs, rice husks or coconut shells) through pyrolysis for soil amendment and carbon sequestration.