Biochar is a charcoal-like material made by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment. It contains a high proportion of stable carbon and has a highly porous structure, rather like a tiny sponge.
Biochar and charcoal are both made by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment, but they are designed for different end uses. Charcoal is usually made for fuel, while biochar is designed to be used in ways that support carbon storage and can be tailored for a range of applications, including soil improvement, building materials, filtration, and other material uses. At Carbon350, our focus is on using biochar to improve soil health and build more resilient growing systems.
Biochar is made by heating organic biomass feedstock, such as wood chips, in a low-oxygen environment at around 550–650°C. This process, known as pyrolysis, transforms much of the carbon into a stable form while also producing reusable heat.
We produce biochar in small, adaptable batches that can be tailored for different uses, and we keep the whole process local, from feedstock sourcing through to final application. We also capture and store heat from production using novel thermal storage battery technology, helping to keep emissions low and maximise local benefit.
We work with local tree surgeons and forestry management operators in Hampshire and the South Downs, sourcing end-of-life wood biomass locally. This helps avoid unnecessary transport and gives useful carbon-rich material a second life.
Some of the heat we capture is used to pre-dry our feedstock, which improves the efficiency of our system. Any surplus heat can be put to other uses, and at present we divert it to support a kiln-drying service for logs and wood chip.
Biochar’s porous structure helps retain water and nutrients, supports beneficial microbial life, and can improve soil structure in the root zone. Those qualities make it a valuable addition in support of healthy, resilient soils.
350 parts per million, or ppm, is often described by climate scientists as a safe upper limit for the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, CO₂ in the atmosphere. We are currently above 420 ppm and the figure is still rising. Our name reflects our intention: to help bring atmospheric carbon back down towards safer levels.
Plants draw CO₂ from the atmosphere as they grow. When that biomass is turned into biochar through pyrolysis, much of the carbon is transformed into a stable form that resists decay, rather than being released back into the air. If the biochar is then used in soil, that carbon can remain stored for decades to centuries, making biochar a practical form of carbon removal.
The amount varies depending on the feedstock, production process, and how the system is accounted for. In general, one tonne of biochar can represent around 2 to 3 tonnes of CO₂e removed(the e = equivalent). We will report our own verified figures once our measurement and certification process is complete, though we are working towards 2.3 to 2.4 tCO₂e.
Biochar converts biomass carbon into a stable form that can remain locked away for centuries, which is why it is widely recognised as a highly durable carbon removal pathway. Durability matters because the climate benefit of carbon removal depends not just on removing carbon, but on keeping it out of the atmosphere for a long time. Compared with many nature-based options, biochar offers a rare combination of long-term storage, practical verification, and useful co-benefits for soils.
No. The climate impact of biochar depends on the feedstock used, the production process, and how stable the final biochar is. Our biochar is designed to sit toward the durable end of the scale because we use a controlled pyrolysis process, relatively high temperatures, and woody local feedstocks that are well suited to producing stable, carbon-rich biochar.
Biochar is designed to be highly durable, and much of its carbon can remain in soils for decades to centuries, depending on how it is made and how it is used. That long-lasting stability is what makes biochar valuable as a durable carbon removal solution.
We’re working with verification partners to ensure our carbon credits meet rigorous MRV standards. Our approach prioritises transparency, so you’ll be able to see how much carbon has been sequestered, where, and how. We’ll share updates on certification progress with launch list subscribers.
We’re planning open days and farm visits once production is fully operational. Join our launch list to be notified when tours become available.
