Research

Biochar, or vegetal charcoal, is produced through the combustion of biomass in the absence of oxygen and has the ability to sequester large amounts of CO₂ in a stable form, preventing its return to the atmosphere.

Plumake, the parent company of EcoLoop, began the first experimental tests on biochar over five years ago.

Since its inception, EcoLoop has taken over from Plumake to advance the development of CO₂ sequestration through biochar production via pyrolysis.

The scientific community considers biochar one of the most promising systems for the capture and storage of excess atmospheric CO₂.

As plants grow, they absorb CO₂ and convert it into biomass (cellulose, lignin, etc.). When plants are cut, biological degradation of the wood releases all the sequestered CO₂ back into the atmosphere.

By transforming woody waste biomass into biochar through pyrolysis (combustion in the absence of oxygen), the CO₂ contained in plant tissues is converted into stable carbon, which can prevent CO₂ release for hundreds of years.

This makes biochar production a viable tool to combat global warming, and for this reason, numerous protocols recognize biochar as a method for generating carbon credits for the voluntary climate-offset market.

Worms have the ability to digest waste biomass and transform it into compost, known as worm humus, which serves as a natural soil amendment that significantly improves soil health.

EcoLoop continues the projects initiated by Plumake in the field of circular valorization of agricultural and agri-industrial waste biomass.

Plumake’s plant engineering expertise combines with EcoLoop’s environmental impact assessment skills to create projects with a high positive impact: reducing landfill waste flows, enriching soil organic matter, and enhancing biodiversity.